Semester in Amsterdam
Unique Experiences
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN AMSTERDAM'S RICH FLAVORS
WITH SMALL-GROUP CHEESE-TASTING ACTIVITIES, COOKING WORKSHOPS, OR LOCAL BREWERY TOURS
EXPLORE THE CITY'S ARTISTIC SPIRIT
BY VISITING WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS LIKE THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM AND THE RIJKSMUSEUM
DISCOVER AMSTERDAM'S HISTORIC CHARM
WITH A STROLL THROUGH THE PICTURESQUE BEGIJNHOF COURTYARD AND AN AFTERNOON EXPLORING THE ICONIC WINDMILLS AT ZAANSE SCHANS
165
CANALS WEAVE THROUGH THE CITY
8
WINDMILLS STILL STAND IN AND AROUND AMSTERDAM
1,281
BRIDGES CONNECT THE CITY'S CHARMING NEIGHBORHOODS
Your Destination
What was once a small fishing village in the 12th century has bloomed into the cultural capital city of the Netherlands, one of the top financial centers in Europe, and the biggest city in the country. Yet its 60 miles of historic canals lined with gable-roofed homes make this city still feel cozy and unmistakably one-of-a-kind!
When you study abroad in Amsterdam, you’ll experience one of the most innovative and multicultural cities in the world. Students can learn all about Amsterdam’s culture, language, and history on a uniquely designed program. With world-renowned museums, art galleries, and theaters, Amsterdam provides students with an international study abroad experience that they’re sure to remember.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Amsterdam.
Excursions & Activities
Each CIEE program has frequent cultural excursions and tours uniquely designed to complement the program’s academics and enhance cultural immersion. At CIEE Amsterdam, you might have the chance to:
- Travel overnight to experience life in another Dutch city or slip out of urban life at a coastal preserve
- Take day trips that highlight Dutch innovation and lived reality outside the city rings of Amsterdam by embarking on a winter getaway to the Frisian city of Groningen, an architecture and social housing-focused visit to Rotterdam, or a trip to Utrecht's working-class districts
- Experience a world-class Dutch theater or dance performance at a historic concert hall
- Join a story-telling tour experience told by former asylum seekers on a refugee boat used to transport hundreds of displaced persons into Europe
- Explore Amsterdam's world-famous canal belt on a private canal cruise or leave the city behind and paddle a canoe through the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest)
Program Blogs
Pathé Tuschinski Movie Theater in Amsterdam
By: Ellie Stein If you are a movie lover like me, Amsterdam’s 1920s movie theater will be one of your favorite spots to visit in Amsterdam. The art deco style... keep reading
Embracing Sustainable Travel
By: Mya Cummins When I decided to study abroad in Amsterdam with CIEE, I knew I’d be stepping into a city famous for its canals, art, and rich history. What... keep reading
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... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
While housing is limited in Amsterdam, CIEE Amsterdam offers a variety of housing options throughout the city. All housing is located within a 45-minute commute of CIEE Amsterdam and the city center by public transport or bicycle.
Standard Housing: Includes a private room in a residence hall.
- Residence Halls: West of the city center, in what was once a shipyard district and is now a lively artistic hub right next to the metro. Students live in single rooms with en-suite bathrooms and access to fully equipped shared kitchens and laundry facilities. Additional amenities include free WiFi, gym access, laundry services, bed linens, towels, and a TV.
Select Housing: Includes a room in a residence hall with a private kitchen.
- Students live in single rooms with en-suite bathrooms and access to fully equipped private or shared kitchens and laundry facilities. These rooms offer added amenities and are more spacious than Standard rooms. Commute time to the office varies:
- Single Rooms with Private Kitchen: under a 45-minute commute to CIEE Amsterdam
- Single Rooms with Shared Kitchen: under a 30-minute commute to CIEE Amsterdam.
- Select housing requires an upgrade fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Residence Halls: No meals are included for residence hall residents.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own travel costs in and around Amsterdam. The best way to travel around the city is by bike. Whatever the weather, the Dutch will steadfastly cycle to work, school, and back home – and you can, too! CIEE staff will fill you in on all your options for getting a bike once you arrive onsite.
Academics
The academic experience at CIEE Amsterdam combines rigorous coursework with experiential learning, offering students an immersive approach to studying abroad. Courses run Monday through Thursday, allowing for a concentrated schedule that balances classroom instruction with co-curricular opportunities such as site visits, guest speakers, workshops, and laboratory work. These experiences provide valuable cultural and professional perspectives, connecting theoretical learning with real-world applications. Smaller class sizes and a seminar-style format foster active participation and deeper engagement with course material, creating an environment where students can fully explore their academic interests.
Course Information
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Psychology
Social Sciences
Health Professions and Related Programs
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- Trailblazer Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $14,500 | |
| Program Spring 2026 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $8,706 ** |
| Housing | $5,300 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Visa Fees | $0 |
| Total Fees | $14,500 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $1,800 |
| Select Plus Housing Fee | $2,100 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $2,115 † |
| International Airfare | $1,250 †† |
| Local Transportation | $700 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $200 |
| Visa Fees | $200 |
| Personal expenses | $280 †††† |
| Total Costs | $4,745 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $470 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly. For students in homestays, families typically provide two meals a day, students should budget $735 to purchase groceries for the remaining meals or more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††This would cover six round trips per week from students' housing to the UvA campus/the CIEE classroom
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Kallan Picha
Center Director
Kallan has more than 15 years of experience working in international higher education for both universities and providers and is passionate about expanding opportunities for students to experience the transformational power of studying abroad.
Tamisha Bouknight
Academic Director
Tamisha holds a graduate degrees in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology and has worked in higher education since 2007.
Cathelijn Kuis
Student Life Director
Cathelijn studied Journalism (BA) and American Studies (MA) at the University of Utrecht.
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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