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Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
While in Amsterdam, you take 15-17 IES Abroad credits (a minimum of 30 ECTS) per semester at the Vrije Universiteit (VU). Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
- 2-5 VU courses (required, credits vary)
- Up to 3 IES Abroad area studies course (optional, credits vary)
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.
NOTE: IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 315 - Highlights of Dutch Art: From Rembrandt to Mondriaan and Beyond | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG/IR/BS 301 - Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership for the 21st Century | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/DU 101 - Dutch Language in Daily Life | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/DU 101 - Dutch Language in Daily Life | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/GS 340 - Sex and Science: Dutch Medicine and Intersexuality | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SS/SO/GS 315 - Introduction to the Study of Sexuality and Gender in the Context of Amsterdam | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/HS/PO 330 - Translating Race in Political Science | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IA/PO 370 - European Union in a Changing World: History, Politics and Policy-making | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC/PS 311 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG/IR/BS 301 - Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership for the 21st Century | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG/IR/BS 301 - Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership for the 21st Century | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IA/PO 370 - European Union in a Changing World: History, Politics and Policy-making | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS/PO 330 - Translating Race in Political Science | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC/PS 311 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/GS 340 - Sex and Science: Dutch Medicine and Intersexuality | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS/PO 330 - Translating Race in Political Science | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SS/SO/GS 315 - Introduction to the Study of Sexuality and Gender in the Context of Amsterdam | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS/SO/GS 315 - Introduction to the Study of Sexuality and Gender in the Context of Amsterdam | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
VU University Courses
You can find more information about past course options that have been offered at the VU website. Course availability is not guaranteed. Following admission to the program, you will further receive specific course information.
Once you are on the VU website, please click on the “Programme” tab, “Bachelor’s courses,” and then on your desired faculty (i.e. department) tab for possible course options. Please pay special attention to any pre-requisites listed for courses you select. You are able to select courses from the following VU faculties:
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
- School of Business & Economics
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Religion and Theology
*Please note the following:
- Credits at the VU are listed in ECTS. 2 ECTS=1 U.S. Credit.
- Fall classes are offered in Periods 1 and 2. Spring classes are offered in Periods 4 and 5
Fall Semester options:
During the Fall semester, IES Abroad students have the option to enroll in a Minor Programme. Minors are a series of academically related courses, in the same discipline. They are organized by the VU and are specifically scheduled to avoid time conflicts and overlap. This is an easy way to select courses that fit well together.
Partner Institution(s)
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
The VU, founded in 1880, enrolls about 25,000 students, and offers courses in eleven faculties covering arts and science fields, and takes pride in a very student centric teaching style. The VU is situated on a campus (unlike many European city universities), just outside of central Amsterdam, near the business district in South Amsterdam.
Originally set up as an institution of higher education separate from church or state, the current day VU takes this heritage seriously. Students will feel comfortable on campus, and can access the many resources available, including modern buildings and infrastructure, the Griffioen Cultural Centre, shops, cafés, and an extensive library.
The VU boasts a strong international environment; its goal is to have one in four students in its English-taught programs be an international student.
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Amsterdam, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations:
Maastricht
2 Days | Fall
Enjoy a weekend away in the south of the country. Try local cuisine and tour the famous caves that served as bunkers during WWII.
Soccer Match vs. Belgium
1 Day | Fall
Come get a taste for Dutch football culture and cheer for the Netherlands as they play their arch-rival, Belgium, in the Nations League.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
Course-related trips are academic excursions associated with courses. They are organized to complement IES Abroad courses and to contribute to a general knowledge of Dutch culture and society. Participation is based on course registration.
Examples could include:
- Visit a psychiatric care museum
- Tour contemporary art museums and galleries
- Visit a Dutch sex education NGO
- Take a walking tour of Amsterdam’s neighborhoods
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Amsterdam is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is the orientation program that makes you feel prepared, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Amsterdam staff, your fellow students, and the city of Amsterdam.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
You also participate in a VU-led orientation to get to know the VU staff and facilities, and have the option to join the European Student Network’s (ESN) orientation for international students, led by Dutch students.
Local field trips and activities are also arranged, as well as an overnight orientation trip, where you’ll have the opportunity to further sample elements of Dutch culture and get to know the other students.
Housing
Studio - You will live in a single studio with a private bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom. Your room comes with a bed, desk, chair, storage, and a TV. Washing machines and dryers are available. No meals are provided for this housing option.
Residence Hall - You will live in a single private bedroom and bathroom while sharing a kitchen with other IES Abroad students. Your room comes with a bed, desk, chair, and storage. Washing machines and dryers are available. Varying meal-plan options will be available once on-site.
IES Abroad Housing may vary according to term and availability.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Cultural events help you redefine the way you live and learn in Amsterdam. Possible events might include:
- Cheese tasting at a local farm
- Alternative Amsterdam tour
- Concert at Concertgebouw
- City food tour
- Dutch apple pie baking workshop
- Attend a Dutch soccer match
- Visit 'Our Lord in the Attic' Museum
- Jewish walking tour
Get to Know Your New City
Cycle Everywhere
Rent or buy a cheap bike and get around Amsterdam the way the Dutch do!
Enjoy Traditional Dutch Dishes
From excellent coffee and sweet stroopwafels and poffertjes (tasty little pancakes), to more unusual fare like thick fries with Dutch-Indonesian peanut sauce or stamppot (a hearty dish of potatoes, onions, kale, root vegetables, and sausage), eating in Amsterdam is a real treat.
Shop the Amsterdam Street Markets
Stock up on fresh produce, cheese, and other food, as well as souvenirs and gifts at the Albert Cuypmarkt. Or dig for the perfect find at the IJ-Hallen vintage market.
Appreciate Art
Amsterdam is home to so many art museums, from the “big ones,” like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum to lesser known gems like the Museum Willet-Hothuysen and the Foam Photography Museum.
Swing Out Over Amsterdam
For a thrill, try riding the swings found on the observation deck on the new A’DAM Tower. Or just marvel at the beautiful 360° views of the city.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.
Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Amsterdam, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Amsterdam Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Amsterdam experience.
The IES Abroad Amsterdam Center is housed on two floors on the Geldersekade 101. Built in the early 1930s as a clothing factory, the building has recently been completely renovated. The IES Abroad Center has several study spaces, as well as classrooms and meeting rooms. The Geldersekade is located in the old city center, a stone's throw from the famous Nieuwmarkt Square. Due to its proximity to Amsterdam Central Station, the IES Abroad Center is easily accessible via public transport.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Meet up with friends in the student lounge
- Study in the student library
Other features include high-speed internet, printing facilities, photocopier and scanner access
Our Staff
Chantal Omloo
Center Director
Chantal Omloo earned an M.A. in the History of International Relations at the University of Utrecht and an MSc in Development Studies at the School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Her academic focus was centered on economic development in Sub Saharan Africa, and she has published a number of articles in this field.
Prior to joining IES Abroad in 2001, Chantal worked for Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), an NGO based in the United Kingdom. Chantal managed customized programs for IES Abroad out of the London Center before moving back to her native Netherlands to become our Amsterdam Center Director.
IES Abroad Amsterdam Staff
Marie Cambridge
Center Administrator
Flor Macías Delgado
Student and Diversity Affairs Specialist
Anabelle Goulette
Student Affairs & Operations Manager
Maaike Fiselier
Housing & Student Affairs Coordinator
Cathleen Owens
Faculty Liaison & Ed Tech Specialist
Nikki Wester
Team Lead Academic Affairs
Penny Pierrinakou
Academic Coordinator
Lucy Barnhart
Academic Coordinator
Faculty
For semester students, depending on your program, you will be taught by faculty from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, Universiteit van Amsterdam, or the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center. For Quarter students, all classes will be taught by faculty from the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center.
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Fall Ball Abroad
Play Baseball and Softball in Amsterdam!
Calling all student-athletes! Starting in Fall 2022, IES Abroad is partnering with Old World Baseball to offer students the chance to study abroad for a semester while preparing for their spring baseball and softball season. Fall Ball Abroad – Amsterdam provides college baseball and softball players high-quality coaching and access to world-class training facilities.
Fall Ball Abroad is an add-on to our existing IES Abroad Amsterdam Programs. Students who wish to participate will apply to an IES Abroad Amsterdam program, and once accepted, choose the baseball or softball add-on.
We know how important it is to your sports performance to continue working and improving in the offseason. Why not work with international coaches and get stronger in Amsterdam?
Latest from Amsterdam
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
