3 Movies to Watch to Prepare for Study Abroad in Amsterdam

In an attempt to rid myself of my nerves as study abroad quickly approaches, preparing myself to say goodbye to my friends, family, and pets before jetting off across the ocean with overpacked suitcases and an American passport practically glued to my hand, I have decided to “research” Amsterdam in the only way I like to “research” anything: movies. Lots and lots of movies. These are my three top movies to watch to get excited and mentally prepare for studying abroad in Amsterdam. 

The Girl With the Pearl Earring (2003), dir. Peter Webber 

Based off the novel by Tracy Chevalier starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, The Girl With the Pearl Earring is a beautifully shot film that follows the conception of Johannes Vermeer’s painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring. Oh, and did I mention that Cillian Murphy also makes a cameo in this film? A totally random cast, with a totally random director, with a not-so-random subject: the conception, drama, and model of one of the most famous paintings of all time. Even as someone who is studying Art History, I could not tell you how true or untrue the plot of this movie is, but have decided to make it my mission to find out while on exchange. Disregarding the ethics of truth or untruth in this movie, it’s a great way to get excited about the culture—particularly the artistic culture—of Amsterdam, and a good reminder that you will soon be perusing the same picture-perfect streets that some of the Great’s once also walked, the same streets and canals that struck Vermeer with brilliant inspiration. 

EuroTrip (2004), dir. Jeff Schaffer

Totally raunchy and utterly blasphemous, EuroTrip is your typical teen drama movie that is so bad it’s good. With a slightly questionable plot, and highly dramatized events, this movie follows newly high-school graduates on their dedication to a glamorous “Euro-Summer,” as they embark on an impossible journey around the continent, traveling to various countries—including Amsterdam. The tagline is literally, “No actual Europeans were harmed in the making of this film.” Obviously I am not condoning any of the actions that occur in this film, or suggesting that anyone partake in similar actions. This movie is simply a fun way to get excited about one’s youth and upcoming freedom for Study Abroad, and a reminder to harness all of the opportunities headed our way.  

Oceans Twelve (2004), dir. Steven Soderbergh

This film, with its attention to beautiful things (i.e., Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, George Clooney), follows the typical “Oceans …” synopsis where a beautiful group of people engage in highly illegal heists and actions. Surprisingly enough, Brad Pitt is not the most beautiful thing in this movie. Rather, it’s the city of Amsterdam. With the canals glistening in the hazy sunlight, reflecting back the historic buildings with their unique architectural feats and colorful doors, Oceans Twelve is a total beauty overload to get excited about experiencing the city first-hand, walking the same streets as seen in the movie and seeing your own image reflected back to you in the same canals. 

Of course, movies are not, by any means, a necessarily reliable source for any sort of research regarding anything about anything, especially not an American blockbuster starring the unreasonably handsome George Clooney, or an Americanized attempt at depicting one of the most recognizable artists and paintings of all time. The likelihood of one experiencing a raunchy teen comedy, a major heist, or being an artists’ muse while studying abroad for a few months in Amsterdam is slim. Very slim. The most realistic part of these movies, and really the only commonality that arises between them, is the setting and glorious depiction of the city itself. Movies are a great way for anyone to get excited about the place they will be living in for study abroad, and hopefully, these provide the necessary means to get you as excited as I am to experience the beauty of Amsterdam in person, instead of through a TV screen.