Amsterdam
Netherlands
You are here
Known for its liberal views and open-minded attitude, the residents of this cozy city welcome you to study abroad in Amsterdam.
You can ride through the scenic canals, visit the Anne Frank House, take a walking tour of the city’s different neighborhoods, and meet professionals working at local and global organizations while studying abroad in Amsterdam, where every day is brings something new to explore.
You’ll adore the lovely canals and old European charm that make up this enchanting city. Because the city planning hasn’t changed much since the 19th century, you’ll appreciate the architecture and historic homes that color the city, not to mention the tulips. And you can’t leave without seeing the windmills!
Programs
Amsterdam's Top Five
Cycle Everywhere
Rent or buy a cheap bike and get around Amsterdam the way the Dutch do!
Enjoy Traditional Dutch Dishes
From excellent coffee and sweet stroopwafels and poffertjes (tasty little pancakes), to more unusual fare like thick fries with Dutch-Indonesian peanut sauce or stamppot (a hearty dish of potatoes, onions, kale, root vegetables, and sausage), eating in Amsterdam is a real treat.
Shop the Amsterdam Street Markets
Stock up on fresh produce, cheese, and other food, as well as souvenirs and gifts at the Albert Cuypmarkt. Or dig for the perfect find at the I-J Hallen vintage market.
Appreciate Art
Amsterdam is home to so many art museums, from the “big ones,” like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum to lesser known gems like the Museum Willet-Hothuysen and the Foam Photography Museum.
Swing Out Over Amsterdam
For a thrill, try riding the swings found on the observation deck on the new A’DAM Tower. Or just marvel at the beautiful 360° views of the city.
$5 Million in Financial Aid
The Latest from Amsterdam
Sunday Morning at IJ-Hallen
Once a month, Amsterdam is home to Europe's largest flea market: IJ-Hallen! 750 vendors offer vintage and second-hand finds for unbeatable prices in a magical atmosphere.
Finding my Home in Amsterdam: A Wandering Jew Takes Europe
Amsterdam is a really cool city, and while this might seem empirical, it has taken some time for me to come to appreciate this. From my apartment in the financial district, Amsterdam looks like Boston or Long Island City. The culture appears broadly metropolitan, and rather international. In other words, the shift has not been radical, or especially "shocking." This was weird at first. I expected this tremendous transition, this intense adjustment to local customs and ways of being.
Day Trip to Rotterdam
We IES Abroad Amsterdam students got to pick between two popular cities in the Netherlands, Utrecht and Rotterdam, for a day trip this weekend. About 40 students and I enjoyed the beautiful weather in Rotterdam, Netherlands for our day trip. Students first got to experience the city from above at Euromast, an observation tower that offers stunning views from 185 meters in the sky!
Pre-departure: Anticipating the Unknown
Part of the fun of starting fresh in a completely new city, program, and environment is that it’s a departure from the norm. I chose to go abroad for the purpose of newness on every level. But with newness comes change, and with change comes anxieties. I'm flying to Amsterdam tomorrow, and in order to cope with this transition, I've thought of some things I’m excited for, and things I'm anxious about.
Excited About Meeting New People
How This Anxiety-Sufferer Prepares for her Amsterdam Adventure
Although I arrived a week early in Amsterdam in order to get situated and comfortable, my anxiety has already started to get the best of me. Despite this, I'm using my time to focus on what I can control: my outlook.
