You’re about to start a great adventure abroad, and we couldn’t be more excited for you! Our team of expert study abroad professionals put together this predeparture guide to share important details you need to know before you embark. From getting a passport and planning travel, to budgeting and academic planning, your predeparture guide gives answers to your questions (and questions you didn’t even know to ask!). If you have a specific question not answered in this guide, feel free to e-mail study@IESabroad.org or call 800.995.2300 and your message will be routed to your Program Advisor. What...

Registration for classes is completed after you have arrived on-site during your academic orientation. This process may be different from what you are used to as the CvA does not publish a set of courses to choose from. Through consultations with CvA advisors, the staff at IES Abroad Amsterdam, and the academic advisors at your current university or college, you will establish a highly individualized course of study that combines practical, theoretical, and educational aspects of music study. If you are at an advanced level in both Classical or Jazz music studies, you may be able to take...

The program at the CvA offers you a large number of possibilities to develop your instrumental or vocal skills, musical insight, and theoretical knowledge. CvA offers courses within the departments of Classical and Jazz; you will choose one of these specific tracks when you are applying for the program. Since each department is independent from one another, you will be admitted into a single department for either Classical or Jazz. CvA Courses Practical Component The required practical component of your study is comprised of a combination of one-on-one and small group instruction. This...

Additionally, you will participate in the CvA-led orientation to get to know the CvA Staff, fellow CvA students, and facilities. Please pay attention to the emails you receive directly from the CvA. When in doubt of any of the emails or correspondence you receive about your semester in Amsterdam, please reach out to your Program Advisor at study@iesabroad.org.

Volunteering Volunteering at local organizations provides another great opportunity for integration into the local culture. If you are interested in volunteering, our Center staff can provide you with contact information for volunteering and non-profit organizations. Specific duties vary according to the volunteer’s previous experience and training, availability, interest, language ability, and specific needs of collaborating organizations. An exciting volunteer group that came into being as a result of the Ōtautahi Christchurch earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 is the Student Volunteer Army, a...

As an IES Abroad student, your course of study at the UvA will fall under two programs: The Amsterdam Exchange Program Social & Behavioral Sciences The Amsterdam Exchange Program Humanities Courses take place Monday through Friday. IES Abroad students can only take undergraduate courses. Some courses are only open to students with an extensive background in the applicable field of study. A list of potential course offerings will be available in the early summer for fall students. You can visit the Amsterdam Exchange - Social & Behavioral Sciences & Amsterdam Exchange - Humanities course...

Please pay attention to the emails you receive directly from the UvA. When in doubt of any of the emails or correspondence you receive about your semester in Amsterdam, please reach out to your Program Advisor at study@iesabroad.org.

Additionally, you will participate in the VU-led orientation to get to know the VU Staff, fellow VU students, and facilities. Please pay attention to the emails you receive directly from the VU. When in doubt of any of the emails or correspondence you receive about your semester in Amsterdam, please reach out to your Program Advisor at study@iesabroad.org.

Ōtautahi Christchurch Field Trips & Events You can refer to the University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha program page to peruse field trip offerings. Here is a list of potential field trips and events students could see throughout the semester: Welcome dinner Orientation overnight excursion First week catch-up lunch Regional excursions Attend a sporting or cultural event Optional mid-semester tropical holiday to Rarotonga (a student favorite!) Farewell dinner As listed above, students will have the opportunity to join the IES Abroad Ōtautahi Christchurch field trip to Rarotonga in...

About University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha Courses The University of Canterbury assigns a point value to each course. Courses at the University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha are typically assigned either 15 or 30 points. You must carry a full load while studying abroad at University of Canterbury, which is the equivalent of 60 credit points (about 4 classes) and 16 IES Abroad credits for the semester. If you enroll in more than 60 points, you will need to go through an additional approval process. Please reach out to your IES Abroad Advisor for assistance and advice...