Reflections on Studying Abroad in Amsterdam

By: Ava Pugh

I have the fondest memories of my seventh-grade spring break in Amsterdam, including boat tours on the canals, biking through tulip fields in the Dutch countryside, and visiting both the cat and cheese museums. To this day my parents cannot believe that they took me to see extensive collections of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, yet my biggest takeaways were the cat and cheese museums. Regardless of my thirteen year old self’s priorities, when I saw that my university had pre-approved CIEE Amsterdam, I knew there was no question I would be going. 

Thankfully, I’ve gained a bit of perspective since seventh grade. I am lucky to be studying business and economics in the birthplace of capitalism, but most of my learning has happened outside the classroom. After two years of living on campus, and never having to walk more than ten minutes to class, I can’t say I was thrilled at the prospect of commuting to school. But I’ve adopted the Dutch way of biking to school and reframed my attitude toward commuting. It is a built-in workout, after all. When I’m on my way to classes at VU, I pass the historic Rijksmuseum, which never gets old. Some days, though, I am not feeling it, or the infamous rain of the Netherlands gets the best of me, so I opt for the metro. This has helped me gain independence, navigating public transit in a foreign city, and learning to budget my time based on train schedules and delays. 

Another point of personal growth has been embracing my alone time. While navigating a new city, I am not surrounded by the familiar faces that once greeted me on campus, so I have had to adjust to that feeling. We tend to stigmatize loneliness, but it has been amazing for my self-reflection and growth. I find myself walking around Amsterdam’s many canals, bridges, and parks, noticing my surroundings, and little details that may have gone unnoticed had I been caught up in conversation. I’ve gotten to reflect on the natural and architectural beauty of the city and have realized I want to take this observant perspective back to the states with me. 

While I have loved my solo exploration in Amsterdam, a highlight of my CIEE experience has been socializing with other students in the program. CIEE organizes weekly events, such as trips to museums, the zoo, and even the Heineken Experience. My personal favorite has been the all-you-can-eat pancake boat (yes, you read that right). Being able to interact with other students outside the classroom while having new cultural experiences has helped me step out of my comfort zone and develop confidence. I already have more CIEE activities in my calendar, including an overnight trip to Antwerp and a cheese tasting next week. 

Overall, Amsterdam has been the perfect place to spend my semester abroad. This past August, I arrived with my thirteen year old self’s perspective of Amsterdam, but I am leaving with my twenty year old sense of self, cultural competence, and enriched perspective on my surroundings. I am sad to leave but cannot wait to make the most of my remaining month, as I know the Rijksmuseum will not be the backdrop of my morning commute forever. 

EXPLORE AMSTERDAM