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Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore Dutch language, culture, and the arts. The world-class professors and course options at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
While in Amsterdam, you take 15–18 credits per semester. UvA courses and IES Abroad courses are worth up to 6 credits each.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
- One or more Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) courses (at least one UvA course is required, credits vary)
- One or more IES Abroad course(s) - (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.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR 250 - Studio Rietveld: An Introduction to Studio Art in Amsterdam | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/DU 101 - Dutch Language and Culture | Fall, Spring | Dutch | 2 |
| IC/CU 221 - Dialogues on Difference | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/DU 101 - Dutch Language and Culture | Fall, Spring | Dutch | 2 |
| 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 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC/CU 221 - Dialogues on Difference | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IC/PS 311 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/LW 350 - Major Issues in Law and Society: A Comparative Context | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/LW 350 - Major Issues in Law and Society: A Comparative Context | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC/PS 311 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Partner Institution(s)
About the Universiteit van Amsterdam
www.uva.nl/en
The Universiteit van Amsterdam prides itself on its wide range of multidisciplinary offerings and its strong focus on internationalization. These qualities are reflected in the large number of international and study abroad students at the Universiteit. Rooted in 17th century Amsterdam, the university is known for its rich intellectual, artistic, and commercial history, and for its contributions to contemporary scholarship, business, and politics.
The Social Sciences & Humanities Program is part of the Amsterdam Exchange Program - Social Sciences (AEXP-Social Sciences) formerly known as the the Undergraduate Certificate Program (UCP) in the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at the UvA.
Courses
As an IES Abroad student, your course of study falls largely under the Amsterdam Exchange Program - Social Sciences (AEXP-Social Sciences) within the College of Social Sciences (CSS). Requests to take a course outside of the AEXP-Scocial Sciences are handled on a case-by-case basis, as the individual departments at the UvA have the final admission decision to each specific course.
Visit the AEXP-Social Sciences course catalog to get a sense of courses that may be offered during your term abroad. (Note: Be sure to click on the different "clusters" to see a full range of what may be available.)
Courses at the UvA are listed in ECTS credits. 2 ECTS credits equal 1 U.S./IES Abroad credit. For example, a course worth 12 ECTS is worth 6 IES Abroad credits.
- Anthropology
- Art
- Conflict and Cultural Diversity
- Dutch Society
- Ethnicity, Migration, and Nationalism
- Geography Planning and Development
- Gender and Sexuality
- Globalization and International Relations
- Media and Communication
- Politics, Governance, and Democracy
- Sociology
- Urban Studies and Global Health
- Arts and Media Studies
- English & Literature
- European and American Studies
- History
- Philosophy and Discourse
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:
Ardennes, Belgium
2 Days| Fall
Take a weekend getaway in nature, with campfires and outdoor activities.
Gouda
1 Day | Fall
Take a guided walking tour of the beautiful city of Gouda in South Holland and make your own stroopwafel (a famous Dutch cookie).
National Park Hoge Veluwe and Kroller Muller Museum
1 Day | Fall
Visit the largest privately managed conservation area in the Netherlands - home to several endangered species, as well as visit the park's museum.
Maastricht
2 Days | Spring
Explore this university city with its beautiful medieval architecture and lively arts and culture. Visit the famous labyrinth caves of Limburg, and take a walk in the spectacular hilly countryside.
Rotterdam
1 Day | Spring
See Rotterdam's amazing modern architecture on a guided walking tour through this rebuilt city. In the afternoon, you can explore Rotterdam's many museums.
Course-Related Trips
Course-related trips are academically-focused and associated with courses. They are organized to complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Amsterdam culture and society. Participation is based on course registration.
Past examples include:
- Tours of contemporary art museums and galleries
- Walking tour of Amsterdam's neighborhoods
- Guided tour of the Red-light District
- Excursion to Haarlem and the Hague
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
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Amsterdam staff, your fellow students, and the city of Amsterdam.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, academics, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
You have the option to join the International Student Network’s (ISN) orientation at the University of Amsterdam, which is 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 learn more about the Netherlands and Dutch Culture.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Amsterdam, it will feel like home.
You can choose from two different apartment options. Both options include an en-suite bathroom with shower.
Shared Studio
Share a spacious double room in a studio apartment with an IES Abroad student or another international student. Each room is equipped with a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom. A resident assistant lives on-site.
Private Student Residence
Live in a single room with a private bathroom. You share a kitchen with other students on your floor. The building features 24-hour reception and a gym. Single rooms carry an additional cost.
Meals are not included in either option, but you can cook your own meals. Meals are not included in either option, but most students cook meals in their apartments or eat in nearby student cafeterias (Mensas) and restaurants.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Amsterdam through cultural events, such as:
- Seeing the windmills in the Zaanse Schans
- Attending a local soccer match
- Touring the Keukenhof tulip garden (spring only)
- Visiting Hoge Veluwe National Park
- Bicycling to Volendam and Marken
- Exploring the medieval castle Muiderslot and the Isle of Pampus
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 I-J 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.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Financial Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Amsterdam Center is housed in the Oranje-Nassau Kazerne, former military barracks that has since been turned into offices and apartments, and located across from the famous Artis Zoo. Features include: a small library, classroom space, staff offices, WiFi access, and space for students to meet and study.
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 Staff
IES Abroad Staff
Chantal Omloo
Center Director
Flor Macias Delgado
Student and Diversity Affairs Specialist
Rosa de Hoog
Program Coordinator Social Sciences and Humanities Program
Anabelle Goulette
Student Affairs and Administration Coordinator
Diana Kaekebeke
Academic Program Coordinator
Faculty
Faculty
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.
Latest from Amsterdam
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Contact a Past Participant
From budgeting tips to housing insight, 500+ IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad experiences and advice.
