Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Love, bikes and roti rolls! Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/30/2018 to 05/20/2019 with

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Amsterdam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved living in amsterdam for a year! I feel so lucky to have had this beautiful opportunity. I have learned so much about myself. thank you

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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?

very elegant in the student hotel and I am grateful to financial aid but I would have also liked to live in cheaper housing perhaps with an artist community.

* Food:

I ate very well! although I dont think there was school funding for meals

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

wonderful as I started getting involved in dance etc right away

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

My personal life style was cheap however for other people I can see how it can become expensive because if you do main stream shopping and life it is expensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? probably 100? Differs
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? yes! get local! farmers markets and coops and zero waste food initiatives!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • location
  • location
  • location
* What could be improved?
  • not sure, I will email if i remember anything
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? nothing?

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.