Inside World Governance
Summer '25 Applications Open
Get the inside scoop on how global institutions run and impact our lives.
Whether you dream of becoming a diplomat or are fascinated about problem-solving on a global scale, this three-week adventure will open your eyes to the inner workings of global institutions and how their decisions affect communities around the world, including yours.
From your home base in Amsterdam, travel to The Hague and Brussels to be where the action is! At The Hague, meet with policymakers and go behind the scenes at international government institutions. In Brussels, get the inside story on the decision-making bodies of the European Union. Using your firsthand experiences and studies of the UN, World Bank, and global NGOs, work in groups to debate positions on a current global challenge and evaluate how global institutions shape and steer world affairs.
Soak in Amsterdam’s culture, too. Start with a canal cruise and keep going on foot to experience this vibrant city. Explore a former shipyard that has blossomed into an enormous cultural hotspot and learn how to make traditional Dutch food in the Jordaan. Visit significant sites, including the Anne Frank house and museums showcasing Amsterdam’s rich artistic heritage.
CIEE is a proud sponsor of NAIMUM LXII
Headed to this year’s conference in D.C.? You could win a CIEE Model UN grant worth up to $5,000.
Learn more
The Take-Aways
Real-World Experience
Go behind the scenes at major European institutions. Get familiar with the workings of the United Nations. Come home with skills in research, analysis, and debate, and an increased understanding of power in world governance.
Credentials for Your Future
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a Digital Portfolio showing your learning and results of a Project and debate on a global challenge of your choice.
Life Skills and New Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication skills. Enjoy a broader worldview and friends of different backgrounds from across the U.S.
45
hours of expert instruction
3
weeks pursuing your passion
1
life-changing experience
The Destination
Welcome to Amsterdam, where old-world charm and progressive politics rhyme.
Located in the heart of Western Europe, the Netherlands and its capital city of Amsterdam are home to a number of organizations that drive the worldwide political agenda. With more than 180 nationalities represented, this charming multicultural city also offers an inviting environment where you’ll quickly feel at home.
Easy to navigate, the city boasts more canals than Venice and abounds with beauty. Treasures like the narrow, gabled houses stand shoulder to shoulder along the canals. Cobblestone streets lead to lively squares and street markets. Parks provide delightful greenspaces for “Amsterdammers” to picnic and barbecue. With over 6,000 historic buildings and more than 40 museums, Amsterdam is one of the most picturesque capitals in Europe and a unique destination for art lovers. Don’t leave without seeing masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer!
Cultural Awareness
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.
Weekly Learning Goals
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you'll have!
- Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city center and go biking in the Amsterdam Forest, the largest greenspace in the city.
- Encounter the canal belt's festive street scene at Amsterdam’s Albert Cuyp market, the largest open-air market in Europe and where you can try the tasty stroopwafel.
- Travel to tranquil Zaanse Schans and experience how the Dutch lived in the days of yore—caring for livestock, generating power with windmills, wearing clogs, and growing tulips.
- Let the giant stained-glass portraits of Dutch artists welcome you to the Rijksmuseum. Lose yourself in its world-renowned collections of art and find a masterpiece that speaks to you.
- In Brussels, engage in a simulation of the EU Parliament at work. Will you take the role of citizen, expert, or politician?
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Our Brussels Adventure Continues …
Tracy Morrison's Post: Day two led us to our first stop of the day, Experience Europe. This exhibition teaches students about the European Commission’s core work, priorities, policies and European... keep reading
We're Off to Brussels!
Tracy Morrison's Blog Post: For our last weekend adventure in Europe we headed to Belgium. After a four hour bus ride we arrived at the bustling city center of Brussels... keep reading
All Work and No Play? No Way!
While our students are very engaged with their classes and school work, they also love to explore and just have fun in this beautiful city! With our first week now... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,650 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,650 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Gildas Fresneau
Senior Manager Housing Procurement
Gildas holds a master’s degree in European Law from the University of Rennes (France). He worked in many roles within international higher education before joining CIEE as Center Director.
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