IES Abroad Mandatory Orientation During the IES Abroad orientation program, you will get to know the other members of the group and begin the process of adjustment to life in Japan. The IES Abroad Nagoya Center Director and the Program Coordinator will present important information about living in Japan and explain IES Abroad academic policies, regulations, and other topics. You will be responsible for paying for your lunches and for local transportation, but other expenses—lodging, the orientation program, and other meals—are covered by the program fee. Take a look at a few student blogger’s...

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...

For more location-specific tips, check out these packing tips from former IES Abroad students. Keep in mind the climate of Amsterdam when packing. December tends to be the coldest month out of the fall semester. In the fall, you will be met with warm temperatures from August to October. The temperature is usually in the low 60s. For current weather conditions in Amsterdam, visit 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...

Amsterdam Center On-Site Center Address IES Abroad Amsterdam Center Geldersekade 101-D 1011 EM Amsterdam The Netherlands Center Phone Numbers From the US: 011.31.2.0370.6600 From the Netherlands: 02.0370.6600 Center Hours Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Closed 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 12:30pm & 12:30pm to 5pm by appointment Closed

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.

Integration into Japanese campus life is crucial if you would like to study Japanese culture and language. Some students studying abroad may end up socializing mainly with each other because they don’t take full advantage of opportunities to interact with local students. To promote meaningful interaction between IES Abroad and Japanese university students, the Center has developed an E-pal Program, which matches IES Abroad students with Japanese university students who volunteer to be E-pals. You are strongly encouraged to sign up for an E-pal. Introductions are made via email at least one...

Social Media Instagram: @iesabroadamsterdam YouTube: IES Abroad Amsterdam playlist Learn from Past Students Read student blogs. Contact a past participant.

Field Trip Information A day trip to the Black Forest is included in the program fee, and is a great opportunity for you to become familiar with the surrounding areas of Freiburg as well as a chance to get to know the IES Abroad staff and your fellow students better. Additional optional trips are subsidized by IES Abroad, but you must pay a portion of the cost. Students are encouraged to participate in these unique travel and learning experiences. These trips may include locations such as: Berlin (5 days) Munich (5 days)

Safety Visit the State Department's Germany Information page for detailed information about safety abroad. Hiking & Outdoor Activity Safety If you intend on spending a lot of time outdoors or hiking through grass and forests, please consider the following: Baden-Württemberg, the state in which Freiburg is located, has a relatively high number of ticks that can transfer the disease TBE (Tick Borne Encephalitis) and Lyme disease. It is possible to receive a course of vaccinations against TBE which will give you substantial protection (please note there are only very few actual cases of TBE), but...

Welcome to the Eternal City! Rome is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city’s famed seven hills offer sweeping vistas of the city. The Tiber (Tevere), Rome’s famous river, offers romantic promenades and this Italian hub has been an important city for close to 2,500 years. The city’s long history is visible on many of its streets and by-ways and is a modern, vibrant city, the seat of the Italian government, and a popular location for international meetings. As an important cultural and artistic center today, Rome has a wealth of cultural treasures. Take a tour around...