Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I Wouldn't Do It Again But It Was An Experience Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/17/2018 to 12/23/2018 with

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Amsterdam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to take care of myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Had to grocery shop for myself, gluten free diet.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a variety of accidents including a sprained ankle and a bike accident and felt that it would be too hard to deal with health insurance so I treated myself.

* Safety:

I have never felt so unsafe before. I sprained my ankle, I got hit on my bike by a car in broad daylight, I was filmed and harassed on the tram by a old man.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Amsterdam was a hard place to be in coming from Wellesley. The real world hit me pretty hard.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Things were expensive and my budget was factored in USD not Euro, which caused some difficulty. I had to get a job.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Activities
  • Trips
* What could be improved?
  • Housing options
  • Money information
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To get more money ahead of time.