Visit the State Department's Information page for detailed information about safety in the Netherlands.

Food & Drink Groceries per week, if you cook every meal at home €100 Breakfast at a restaurant €14 Lunch at a restaurant €18 Dinner at a restaurant €35 Soft drink €3.75 Coffee €3-5 Housing Key replacement fee (if key is lost, stolen, or damaged) €25-75 (Depending on housing) Local transportation Weekly tram and bus pass €40 Monthly tram and bus pass €100 Bike Rental and lock (please note that some housing locations cover your bike rental fee) €100-120 for full term Personal Necessities Toiletries per week €5 Laundry per week €10 (for detergent or other supplies) Social Activity & Entertainment...

It is impossible to define a "typical" Dutch person. You will meet many types of people in the Netherlands who have different opinions, attitudes, and habits. The more you interact with Dutch people, the more likely you are to form lasting relationships with them and better understand their culture. During these interactions, use common sense and a sense of objectivity. Be prepared to discuss your views freely and openly, and try to listen with an open mind. You may arrive in the Netherlands with some preconceptions about the Dutch and may encounter some Dutch people with preconceptions about...

The Dutch monetary unit is the euro (€). The euro functions similarly to the US dollar in that it is subdivided into 100 cents. There are eight-euro coins denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 cents. In the Netherlands, 1- and 2-euro cents are not used and it is common for places to round up to the nearest 5-euro-cent amount. Each euro coin has a common European face and a face designed by each monetary member EU state. All coins can be used in every monetary member EU country. There are seven-euro notes which are differently sized and colored, and come in denominations of...

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...

Before departing for the Netherlands, you should exchange between about €50 - €150 in order to cover incidental expenses during your first few days in Amsterdam. Euros can be purchased at large banks in the United States and at most international airports. Dutch Bank Account Credit and Debit cards like Visa or Mastercard are becoming more widely accepted. Google Pay and Apple Pay are also widely accepted. That being said, opening a bank account while in Amsterdam is possible once you have registered at City Hall. ATM When accessing a bank account through an ATM card, we recommend the following...

For more location-specific tips, check out these packing tips from former IES Abroad students. Keep in mind the climate of Amsterdam when packing. January tends to be the coldest month out of the spring semester. In spring, warm weather returns by May. The temperature is usually in the low 60s (~15°C). For current weather conditions in Amsterdam, visit Amsterdam's Amsterdam's weather channel. When packing clothes, remember to bring layers as temperatures can vary considerably between morning, mid-day, and evening. However, warm winter clothing, including heavy sweaters, winter outwear, a good...

Coming soon!