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...

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

Diversity Abroad At IES Abroad, our faculty, staff, and programs are committed to recognizing and acquainting students with the diversity that exists within the Netherlands. IES Abroad students are continually provided with opportunities to explore the cultural richness of their host environment and learn about economic, social, and political status of local populations. Here are a few resources that you might find useful: Diversity Commitment Navigating Diversity & Identity Abroad Social Identity Resources Identity in the Netherlands Racial and Ethnic Minority Students Students considered...

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. The main USC Sport Center is located near the UvA REC Campus. 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.

Working in the Netherlands While it is possible for IES Abroad students in the Netherlands on a VVR and/or MVV to participate in paid labor, it involves a lengthy bureaucratic process. For more information, check out the VU webpage regarding Visa Information for Current Students.

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...

You will receive an unlimited public transportation pass valid for the first few days of orientation. If you see yourself using public transportation on a regular basis, we recommend obtaining a monthly pass (approximately €100 per month). You can also pay per ride with a credit or debit card. It is also possible to buy individual tickets, weekly chip cards (a special paper card with a chip that is valid for the week), and a monthly subscription.

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