IES Abroad policy requires that all students obtain a functioning cell phone with calling and texting capabilities by the end of their first week of the program. Students are required to carry their cell phones at all times and be able to respond immediately in case of emergency. During orientation, IES Abroad staff will provide you with more information about this policy and give you recommendations for local service providers. In general, there are three ways that students go about fulfilling this requirement: Most popular: Having data upon arrival so that IES Abroad Amsterdam staff can use...

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Housing Introduction The housing provided by the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center will be conveniently located in a nice, safe area. Rooms are likely smaller than you are used to, and commuting is an absolute must as universities do not own housing in the Netherlands. Most universities are not campuses. As you fill out your Housing Form, keep in mind the following factors that are considered when housing placements are made: IES Abroad only locates housing in safe areas of the city. Cohabitation in IES Abroad located housing is prohibited. Switching after arrival is most likely not possible or you...

There will be mandatory orientation sessions once you arrive in Amsterdam. These sessions will allow you to meet other students in the program, review health and safety procedures, understand academic expectations, and get familiar with the IES Abroad Center and city of Amsterdam. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, and other important topics are also covered. Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore the city before classes start in order to help you feel at home in your new environment. Feel prepared to begin classes with practical...

For more location-specific tips, check out these packing tips from former IES Abroad students. Keep in mind the climate of Amsterdam when packing. July tends to be the hottest month out of the summer semester with an average high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Amsterdam's temperature year round is neither excessively hot nor extremely cold. The summers are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 34 degrees Fahrenheit to 71 degrees Fahrenheit and is rarely below 22 degrees...

Amsterdam Center Emergency From the US: 011.31.6.5367.5021 From the Netherlands: 06.5367.5021 Emergency contacts are on-site IES Abroad staff, and they speak English. Please do not (and remind friends and family not to) use these numbers except in cases of real emergency and to keep in mind time differences.

CREA is the cultural organization of the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Griffioen is the cultural organization of the Vrije Universiteit. They both organize activities in the arts and artistic education such as courses, working groups, and projects in the area of drama, dance, photography, film, visual arts, etc. For more information about CREA and Griffioen, visit their websites. We strongly encourage you to become an active participant of the Amsterdam community. While you can do this by joining a local arts class, or a sports group, volunteering is a great way to give back to your host...

Sports & Fitness Gym memberships are available through the VU and the UvA for a nominal fee. Students attending either university can sign up for either a VU or UvA membership. The main VU Sports Center is located at the Uilenstede Campus, near the VU. However, there is a smaller location on the main campus. You can check out all the Sports Centers have to offer at sportcentrumvu.nl/ and usc.uva.nl/. There are also about 30 student sports clubs that you can join alongside other Dutch and international students. For more information on membership fees, please check the Sports Centers websites.