Open Campus Block
New for Spring 2025!
Unique Experiences
CYCLE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE CITY’S “GLOBAL VILLAGE”
Where neighborhoods maintain very strong local identities
EXPLORE THE LAYERS OF DUTCH VISUAL ARTS
From classical Dutch masters to Dutch designers, and the one and only van Gogh
GET TO KNOW DUTCH CUISINE
In this exciting culinary hotspot, including cheese tastings, Dutch pancakes, and more
2 METERS
BELOW SEA LEVEL
180
NATIONALITIES
1,281
BRIDGES
Your Destination
Immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s unique bike culture where young and old, rich and poor, electric and cargo bikes all commute on the city’s state-of-the-art cycling infrastructure. And watch out for a different urban jungle type of traffic!
Amsterdam has developed a world-class know-how for its museums and for showcasing its rich cultural heritage. This is due to the excellent preservation of historical landmarks, such as the 17th Century Canal Ring, but also to the capacity of the Dutch society to look back and critically at the darker elements of the Golden Age.
Amsterdam, like New York, is a city that (almost) never sleeps. The nightlife – ranging from the local brown cafés where everyone gets together and occasionally has the entire pub singing together, to world-famous DJs – is bound to have you dance the night away, reasonably of course!
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.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
Ample activities and day trips will be offered to immerse you in Dutch culture and Amsterdam’s historical heritage. Excursions may include:
- Visits to Dutch cities such as Utrecht, The Hague, or Haarlem
- Exploring the unique Dutch landscape on Texel, one of the Dutch Wadden Islands
- A tour of De Hoge Veluwe National Park, a Dutch national park
- Overnight trips to Maastricht, the Frisian Islands, and Antwerp (Belgium)
Academic Projects
Students may optionally participate in directed independent research, combining real-world experiences and seminars to maximize learning. If an academic project of this nature excites you, design your own personal research project and benefit from the direction of a local academic specialist to make the most of this unique opportunity to engage in fieldwork.
Program Blogs
Exploring Amsterdam's Markets
By: Mia Ferrentino Amsterdam’s charm isn’t just about its canals and history; it's also woven into the fabric of its bustling markets. These lively hubs are where the city truly... keep reading
Second-Hand Shopping in Amsterdam
By: Mia Ferrentino One of the many things to love about Amsterdam is the shopping - in particular the thrifting and vintage shopping that the city has to offer. While... keep reading
Coffeecompany - The Way Better “Starbucks” of the Netherlands
By: Mia Ferrentino Coffeecompany is a chain cafe I have grown to love throughout my time in Amsterdam. They have locations everywhere in Amsterdam and in other Dutch cities as... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
While housing is limited in Amsterdam, CIEE Amsterdam offers a variety of housing options throughout the city, including residence halls and homestays. 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 room in a residence hall or homestay.
- Residence Halls: Scattered throughout Amsterdam, from one of Time Out’s Top 10 Coolest Neighborhoods in the world, west of the center, to what was once a shipyard district but is becoming a lively artistic hub. 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.
- Homestays: Though in very limited supply, homestays will be offered upon availability for students to learn more about Dutch families and why children in the Netherlands are among the happiest in the world! Each student is placed in a single room and has access to shared common spaces.
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.
Meals
Residence Halls: No meals are offered for residence hall residents.
Homestays: Host families will provide lunch and dinner. All other meals are the students’ responsibility.
Academics
Stay in Amsterdam for up to two blocks or add on blocks in other CIEE Open Campus Block program locations (Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Prague, Rome, Santiago, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, or Yucatán) to experience more intercultural learning. Students can choose from a variety of disciplines within seven different tracks: Art and Architecture; Business; Communications, Journalism, and New Media; Global and Community Health; International Relations and Political Science; Language, Literature, and Culture; or STEM and Society.
Most courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty.
Course Information
Course Notes
- Courses are listed by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
- Use the Course Comparison Tools to compare classes offered across all Open Campus Block programs for each block
- Students studying for three blocks who wish to complete a lab course will be required to opt out of one course to remain within the program credit range.
- Most courses are taught face-to-face and offered only for students at one location. CIEE offers some courses in a hybrid format, available to multiple program locations to increase course choices. A hybrid class is taught synchronously in a classroom in one location, and students in the program at other CIEE locations join live online. Hybrid courses can be identified in the course list as those whose course codes end in “CIEE,” and the title will include the location of instruction. Regardless of your location, you will apply what you learn from the instructor and course materials in your location. Co-curricular activities are tailored to each student’s location to promote local, experiential, and intercultural learning for all.
- The following courses will be added to the below Spring 2025 CIEE Courses list soon:
- Culture and Cuisine in the Netherlands
- Dutch Art
- Dutch Design, Architecture, and Innovation
- Dutch Language - Beginning I
- Survival Dutch
Academic Projects
- Academic Projects will be offered onsite (either in-person or remotely), dependent on availability and in compliance with local health and safety regulations.
- Academic Project placement will be designed based on the student’s project learning goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements in location or within the Open Campus Block network, either in-person or remotely. The process is highly individualized and goal oriented. Students enrolled in an Academic Project will receive additional academic support that informs and enhances the placement experience.
- Students applying for an Academic Project are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
Language Classes
During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory Dutch language course will be instructed to take an online language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on-site and is based on assessment outcomes.
- Students may opt into the non-credit Survival Dutch course (once) during the on-site orientation.
Spring Block I 2025
Business Track
Global and Community Health Track
STEM and Society Track
Spring Block II 2025
Business Track
Communications, Journalism, and New Media Track
Global and Community Health Track
STEM and Society Track
Spring Block III 2025
Business Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
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 Spring Block I 2025 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring Blocks I, II 2025 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring Block II 2025 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring Blocks II, III 2025 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring Block III 2025 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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
Gildas Fresneau
Center Director
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.
Merve Erdogan
Academic Director
Merve studied Sociology, Public Administration, and Political Science and obtained a Masters degree in Communication Science. She worked as a lecturer and academic tutor and is currently working as Academic...
Cathelijn Kuis
Student Life Director
Cathelijn studied Journalism (BA) and American Studies (MA) at the University of Utrecht.
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