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Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Science, Liberal Arts & Business Courses with Locals
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Location
Amsterdam
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Host University
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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Term
Academic Year 1 2022
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Program Dates
Mid Aug, 2022 - Late Jun, 2023
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Program Length
Academic Year
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Application Deadline
Apr 01, 2022
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Apr 15, 2022
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Credit
48 - 60 ECTS Credits
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Eligibility
3.00 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
TBA
Study Abroad Program Description
In this interdisciplinary and academically rigorous program, you will have the opportunity to study alongside Dutch and other international students for a semester or full academic year at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Course offerings are highly specialized, focusing on research methodology across various disciplines including earth and life sciences, business and economics, social sciences, and humanities.
VU's academic year is divided into six intensive "periods", or blocks, with the option to take two or three classes per period. Please find below the breakdown of these periods within ISA's program offerings*:
Fall 1: Periods 1-2 (Mid August - Mid December)
Spring 1A: Periods 4-5 (Early February - Early June)
Spring 1B: Periods 4-6 (Early February - Early July)
Academic Year: Periods 1-6 (Mid August - Early July)
*These are the general timelines for VU's respective periods, but they are subject to change from year to year. Exact program dates will appear on our website as they are confirmed by the host university.
All students will make course selections upon application to the program. This is a tentative selection as the final course schedule is not confirmed until VU confirms that the stated pre-requisites have been met.
Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex
We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.
*Eligibility
MINIMUM GPA
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.00.
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES
There is no language prerequisite for this program.
- You must hold a Sophomore standing or above during term of study.
- The following application materials are required to complete your application: valid passport copy, photo, VU application form. Please contact ISA if you expect any issue in receiving your passport before the application deadline.
What's Included
Comprehensive Advising and Support
Comprehensive Advising and Support
A team of helpful ISA staff members is here to support you through the entire study abroad process, from finding the perfect program through re-entry. The Program Advisors will help you choose your program based on your unique objectives. Once you’ve selected your program, you will work with your Program Manager on the application process as well as pre-departure forms and finances. Your Program Manager will also assist with academics, housing, visas, and city-living/cultural guidance.
In addition to individual advising, you will receive virtual resources to help prepare you for your time abroad. This includes the ISA Student Portal, which houses your program application, pre-departure forms/resources, and the online orientation. The online orientation is a pre-cursor to the on-site orientations and offers city-specific resources about living in your host city, communication, packing, diversity abroad, how to be academically successful, and more.
24-Hour Emergency
24-Hour Emergency
The ISA Health, Safety, and Security team facilitates an in-house on-call system with a U.S.-based employee and manager who are on-call and available in case of emergency 24-7. ISA regular office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00am - 7:00pm and Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Central Time.
If you are a parent or student needing assistance in an emergency situation outside of the regular office hours, please call the ISA office at 512-480-8522 to access the ISA emergency contact information for that particular week. Students who experience an emergency while abroad will also have access to on-site staff 24-hour emergency assistance.
Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support
Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support
Health, Safety, and Security (HSS) for ISA students is jointly managed by our resident staff and HSS team. This team works to monitor risk at program locations, respond to any crises that may arise, and develop policies to further ensure the health, safety, and security of students abroad with ISA.
Airport Reception
Airport Reception
Ground transportation is provided from the airport as long as you arrive during the ISA designated arrival date and time and at the appropriate airport. Upon acceptance into your program, you will receive the “How to Book Your Flight” form which outlines the specific details for airport reception.
Airport reception is not provided for most Intensive Month or J-Term programs.
Visa Support
Visa Support
Your ISA Program Manager will be available to help you with the visa process for your program country, if applicable. They will provide resources, guidance on necessary steps to obtain your visa, and deliver supporting visa application materials to you as needed.
Tuition at the Host University
Tuition at the Host University
Tuition and administrative fees at the host university are included in the program price. Classes are held at the host university and are taught by local and/or visiting faculty. Some classes will have additional fees that are not included in the program price.
Housing
Housing
Housing is guaranteed and included in the price of all ISA programs, with the exception of Pacific programs, in which housing is offered at an additional cost. Accommodation options will vary according to program site and session. For more details about ISA's housing options and applicable security deposits, please refer to the housing tab for your program of interest.
Bridging Cultures Orientation
Bridging Cultures Orientation
The Bridging Cultures Orientation will be delivered to you in the first few days of your time abroad. It is designed to prepare you for a successful, positive, and rewarding experience that will influence the rest of your life. This is accomplished through introducing you to your host city’s culture and infrastructure as well as through goal setting, intercultural awareness, diversity and professional development activities.
Full-Time Resident Staff
Full-Time Resident Staff
The full-time resident staff is available to assist you with all aspects of your experience abroad. The resident staff provides support during official course registration and arranges the Bridging Cultures Program orientation, excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful study abroad experience.
ISA Discovery Model
ISA Discovery Model
ISA programs facilitate learning and development through co-curricular activities. We rely on host universities to provide quality instruction in the classroom, but ISA is the main facilitator of learning outside of the classroom. Efforts to promote student learning are shaped by a teaching and learning framework we call the ISA Discovery Model.
According to this model, student learning and development is organized into five areas of discovery: 1. Intercultural, 2. Historical, 3. Sociopolitical, 4. Professional and 5. Environmental
Throughout the duration of your ISA program, we provide you with the opportunity to pursue these five areas of discovery through the Bridging Cultures Orientation, excursions, cultural activities, and references to non-ISA sponsored events and opportunities.
Excursions
Excursions
Organized excursions are included with each program to complement the academic component of your abroad experience. These complementary experiences are designed to engage student learning outside of the classroom in the five areas of the Discovery Model. Transportation and guided tours are included, as well as hotel accommodations and breakfast during multi-day excursions. Additional optional excursions may be offered during each program that are not included in the program cost.
Excursions are not included for Intensive Month, J-Term, and some summer sessions.
Cultural Activities
Cultural Activities
The ISA program staff develops unique cultural activities custom-designed to invite you to experience the local color of your host city, while learning about the history and culture of your new surroundings. Speaking the native language with locals, tasting the regional cuisine, and partaking in the native traditions are only a few of the ways these cultural activities lead to full appreciation of the program city.
Insurance
Insurance
A Blanket Accident and Sickness Policy is included in the program and covers you during the official on-site period of the program. This is not an optional benefit; every ISA participant will be covered by this policy. A full description of coverage can be found on the ISA website.
We recommend that you maintain comprehensive health insurance while abroad. This is particularly important if you have any pre-existing conditions but is also beneficial if you have an injury or illness while abroad and require further treatment upon your return home. Please be sure to consult with your current insurance provider to confirm coverage policies while traveling abroad.
Official Transcript from the Host University
Official Transcript from the Host University
Upon completion of the ISA program, your host university will issue an official transcript with all coursework taken abroad. ISA's Academic Records Department will process and forward the official transcript to the appropriate office at your home university, and a photocopy will be sent to your permanent home address for your records. ISA will provide a cover letter to accompany the transcript with important academic information, including the host university's grading system and recommended U.S. letter grade equivalencies, translated course titles, and credit conversion recommendations.
Professional Development Toolbox
Professional Development Toolbox
The Professional Development Toolbox, available in the online orientation section of the student portal, will help you identify the skills and key competencies you have developed through your personal, academic, and cultural experiences. This toolbox helps you to articulate the transferable skills developed through study abroad in a way that shows potential employers or post-graduate universities the benefits our you will provide them as a direct result of your experience abroad.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities
As an ISA participant, you will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships or grants that can be applied directly to assist with your study abroad program. ISA offers over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants each year. To see what opportunities are available, please visit the Support & Funding page.
Academics
Support & Funding
ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.
SUPPORT TEAM
Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.
Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.
U.S. Team
Brittany Lavornia
Senior Program Manager, Enrollment Management
Originally from little Rhode Island, Brittany acquired her desire for travel when studying abroad for a semester at the University of Roehampton in London, England. During this semester, she traveled the U.K. extensively and collected passport stamps from a dozen countries in Europe. Brittany received a B.S. in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and went on to join ISA in 2015 to advise on programs in England and Scotland. She enjoys enabling students to gain the confidence and self-awareness that comes from studying abroad, and helping plan their big adventures! Brittany enjoys playing with her pitbull Amira, learning coding and graphic design, has started collecting passport stamps from Central America and the Caribbean, and helping her husband begin his collection, starting with Japan!
AMSTERDAM TEAM
Marina Lopez Duarte
Resident Director, The Netherlands
Marina Lopez Duarte
Resident Director
Marina was born in and raised in Andalucia in Southern Spain where she attended the Universidad de Sevilla. With a passion for both travel and architecture, Marina studied abroad in Poland where she traveled extensively through the region. Because of this rewarding experience she decided to teach Spanish as a foreign language, allowing her to keep in touch with different cultures and languages. Marina joined the ISA Barcelona team in 2013 and became the Amsterdam Resident Director in 2017. Marina loves working on-site and helping students make the most of their time abroad. Marina enjoys cooking, travelling the world, coloring mandalas, volunteering, giving Reiki, and finding inspiration in life's challenges.
Identity Resources
Accessibility & Accommodations
With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.
Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.
Destination Information
Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.
Identity Blog
ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.
Funding
All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!
If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.
Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org
Housing
Living in ISA housing will allow you the opportunity to experience aspects of the local lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. Regardless of your housing option, you may commute to your host university by public transportation or bike. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 15 and 50 minutes depending on housing and class locations. With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.
We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations, however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.
Student Residence
While in Amsterdam you'll be housed at a student residence. The location may vary but students will typically be placed in the OurDomain - Diemien Zuid student village, which is located 35 to 50 minutes by public transportation away from the host university. You will have a single room with an en-suite bathroom and kitchenette alongside other ISA students and international students. Meal service is not included but you will have a kitchenette to prepare meals as well as access to the on-campus dining options. Laundry facilities are available for an additional cost.
You will pay a $500 refundable security deposit if living in this ISA housing option. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.
Independent Housing
You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a unique yet charming cosmopolitan city and the heart of international affairs, home to the European Union, the UN, the European Parliament, and NATO. Multicultural and multilingual, Brussels is the perfect example of a global society that has managed to retain its own distinct personality. You will visit historical landmarks around the city like the Royal Palace, St. Michael's Cathedral, and the famous Mannequin Pis. Downtown, you will find quaint alleys lined with picturesque restaurants, delicious sweets shops, cute boutiques, and cafés galore.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a unique yet charming cosmopolitan city and the heart of international affairs, home to the European Union, the UN, the European Parliament, and NATO. Multicultural and multilingual, Brussels is the perfect example of a global society that has managed to retain its own distinct personality. You will visit historical landmarks around the city like the Royal Palace, St. Michael's Cathedral, and the famous Mannequin Pis. Downtown, you will find quaint alleys lined with picturesque restaurants, delicious sweets shops, cute boutiques, and cafés galore.
Seville * Optional
Seville is a vibrant and sunny city in southern Spain that is known for Flamenco and bull-fighting. During this optional overnight excursion, you will experience the rich blend of Christian, Moorish, and Jewish traditions, from the Alcazar Palace to the Spain Square and the María Luisa Park. You will also experience the views from the Triana Quarter and Bridge and spend the day in Cádiz.
Seville
Seville is a vibrant and sunny city in southern Spain that is known for Flamenco and bull-fighting. During this optional overnight excursion, you will experience the rich blend of Christian, Moorish, and Jewish traditions, from the Alcazar Palace to the Spain Square and the María Luisa Park. You will also experience the views from the Triana Quarter and Bridge and spend the day in Cádiz.
Utrecht
Utrecht is a small, medieval city in central Netherlands and is often considered the most beautiful canal town in Europe. The city center is a small, pedestrian-only space with the Domtoren (Dom) tower at the center, visible from anywhere in the city. You will tour the iconic Dom tower and learn more about the De Stijl artistic movement at the Rietveld Shröeder House. This excursion also includes a canal tour and an underground archeology tour to discover the split-level canals that are unique to Utrecht.
Utrecht
Utrecht is a small, medieval city in central Netherlands and is often considered the most beautiful canal town in Europe. The city center is a small, pedestrian-only space with the Domtoren (Dom) tower at the center, visible from anywhere in the city. You will tour the iconic Dom tower and learn more about the De Stijl artistic movement at the Rietveld Shröeder House. This excursion also includes a canal tour and an underground archeology tour to discover the split-level canals that are unique to Utrecht.
Zaanse Schans
The historic and well-preserved village of Zaanse Schans offers a glimpse into what life was like in the Netherlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. Located along the Zaan River and lined with iconic windmills, Zaanse Schans is a charming city where you will learn about how windmills were used to fuel a variety of industries. On this excursion, you will have a guided tour of the city and will visit the Zuiderzee Museum of cultural heritage and maritime history.
Zaanse Schans
The historic and well-preserved village of Zaanse Schans offers a glimpse into what life was like in the Netherlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. Located along the Zaan River and lined with iconic windmills, Zaanse Schans is a charming city where you will learn about how windmills were used to fuel a variety of industries. On this excursion, you will have a guided tour of the city and will visit the Zuiderzee Museum of cultural heritage and maritime history.
Other domestic excursion
Each semester, VU facilitates an overnight excursion within the Netherlands. This takes place during the first week of the program and is included in the program price. Possible destinations include Friesland, Maastricht, Leiden, Slot Assumburg, or Efteling.
Other domestic excursion
Each semester, VU facilitates an overnight excursion within the Netherlands. This takes place during the first week of the program and is included in the program price. Possible destinations include Friesland, Maastricht, Leiden, Slot Assumburg, or Efteling.
Other international excursion * Optional
Each semester, VU facilitates an overnight excursion outside of the Netherlands. This is an optional excursion and is offered for an extra fee. Possible destinations include Krakow, Munich, Luxembourg City, or Antwerp.
Other international excursion
Each semester, VU facilitates an overnight excursion outside of the Netherlands. This is an optional excursion and is offered for an extra fee. Possible destinations include Krakow, Munich, Luxembourg City, or Antwerp.
Cultural Activities in Amsterdam
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Amsterdam. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Amsterdam special.
These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included a walking and canal tour of the city, morning excursion by bike in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) with lunch in a traditional place of pancakes, cheese and wine tasting, tour of Dutch National Opera and Ballet, and attending a classical musical rehearsal concert at the Royal Concertgebouw.
Cultural Activities in Amsterdam
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Amsterdam. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Amsterdam special.
These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included a walking and canal tour of the city, morning excursion by bike in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) with lunch in a traditional place of pancakes, cheese and wine tasting, tour of Dutch National Opera and Ballet, and attending a classical musical rehearsal concert at the Royal Concertgebouw.