london flags street bus
London, England Amsterdam, Netherlands

Summer Comparative Public Health Systems I + II ( London + Amsterdam)

Study Program

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

6 total semester hours

9 total quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Explore healthcare issues from the intercultural perspectives of the British and Dutch. Begin your study abroad experience in London by researching the challenges facing the British National Health Service. Next, travel to Amsterdam and investigate culturally sensitive issues like euthanasia and elder care. Courses are taught at CIEE London and CIEE Amsterdam and complemented with co-curricular activities designed to increase your intercultural understanding.

Unique Experiences

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Enjoy a series of guest lectures and site visits that bring you into contact and conversation with professionals in the field

LEADERSHIP

Develop leadership skills for matters critical to health.

GLOBAL ETHICS

Develop ethical and evidence-based policy opinions by looking at public health through various societal lenses.

250+

LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN LONDON

850K

CARS IN AMSTERDAM

1,000

ROOMS IN THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Experience
  • London Thames aerial
  • Amsterdam bikes at sunset
  • Amsterdam boat in canal in golden light

Your Destination

LONDON

Home of the 2012 Olympic Games, London is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. London is at the cutting edge of the arts scene and provides access to music, fashion, free museums, comedy, and theater. There are abundant opportunities for enjoying summer in London – with eight Royal Parks right in the heart of the city and more green space than any comparable city in the world. 

London is the perfect place to analyze Global Health. Our multicultural city and broad socioeconomic variety allow students to study pathologies that other more homogeneous cultures lack. You also have access to the resources of the British Medical Association, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the Wellcome Trust.


CIEE London is within walking distance of all the city’s tourist highlights but it is also tucked away in the University district. Located in a beautiful Georgian square just moments from the British Museum and 10 minutes from Trafalgar Square and its art galleries, CIEE London has a lounge, café, and study areas 
- perfect for discussing your program with your fellow students. 


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 London.

AMSTERDAM

Wondering why it’s so easy to feel at home in Amsterdam? Chalk it up to “gezellig.” Roughly translated, that’s Dutch for cozy – a sensibility commonly associated with this city. Compact and easy to navigate by bike or on foot, Amsterdam houses more than 6,000 buildings from the 16th century forward, protected for historic importance. It’s loaded with charm and treasures, from gabled houses standing shoulder-to-shoulder along the canals to masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Matisse. What's more, CIEE Amsterdam is conveniently located close to the University of Amsterdam in the tranquil Plantage neighborhood, where students can easily drop in to speak to CIEE staff, study, or simply hang out in the student area between classes. 

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

london students at pub

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • Explore a historic location outside London on a day trip. Here’s your chance to see Cambridge or Oxford! 
  • See the famous Tower of London, home of the crown jewels recently valued at $5.8 billion. 
  • Explore central sites in the City of Westminster, home of Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, St. James’ Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Palace of Westminster. 
  • Browse the urban markets on Sundays in Shoreditch and Brick Lane or enjoy fabulous food on Fridays in Borough Market, and hunt for souvenirs in Camden. 
  • Sail along the Thames to Greenwich and take the chance to stand either side of the date line!
Amsterdam students riding on a bike path

EXCURSIONS - AMSTERDAM

  • During orientation, venture out into the countryside to visit an old medieval castle, a small authentic fisherman’s town, or a small Dutch town bearing immense historical significance.
  • Take a day trip that highlights Dutch innovation outside the city rings of Amsterdam, such as a trip to the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier, or an architecture and design-focused visit to Rotterdam. 
  • 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).
  • Relax during an open-air movie screening at a popular Amsterdam city beach. 
  • Go to a concert, play, flea market, or a special exhibition in one of Amsterdam’s museums.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

A Love Letter to London

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Anumita Ghosh When I flew to London for a summer abroad, I expected a bit of adventure before my senior year of college. What I didn’t anticipate was leaving... keep reading

From CIEE

Five must-do holiday activates in London

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By Tayler Baldwin As the festive season blankets London in a shimmering glow, the city comes alive with holiday cheer and enchanting celebrations. From dazzling light displays to traditional markets... keep reading

From CIEE

Amsterdam Top 5 Museums to Visit

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Emma Janssen Amsterdam is a bustling city with incredible tourist attractions that you must see when you’re here! Having spent almost three months studying abroad in Amsterdam, I’ve had... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "I would be likely to recommend CIEE because of the welcoming and helpful staff. The excursions and orientation made adjusting so much easier"

    Madeline J., University of Utah

  • "Lots of fun and very educational."

    Nimit G., University of Arkansas

Housing
Academics

Academics

This eight-week program allows students to study two of the world’s leading healthcare systems and build a foundation in public health. All students in this program are required to take the following courses: Contemporary Challenges in Global Health and Public Health in the Netherlands. In London, students connect with healthcare professionals and researchers, visit sites that demonstrate the impact of cultural dynamics on the delivery of public healthcare, and evaluate global trends and agendas in public health. In Amsterdam, students discuss the health effects of drugs and alcohol, euthanasia, and home birth.

In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offerings.

CIEE London Center is located in the heart of Bloomsbury. It sits in one of the most vibrant and student-populated neighborhoods of central London and features Georgian-style architecture, classrooms, a café, and a garden terrace.

CIEE Amsterdam is conveniently located a short walk away from the University of Amsterdam in a thriving, student-friendly neighborhood surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and picturesque canals. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All students take one required CIEE course per session
 

Program Credit

Total credit: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits
 

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel away from London and Amsterdam when classes are in session. Students should be ready to take initiative and approach coursework more independently than they may be accustomed to in the U.S.
 

Class Format

Classes taught at CIEE London and CIEE Amsterdam are for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and attendance is strictly enforced for both classes and required co-curricular excursions. The class typically features a combination of lectures, active participation, guest speakers, and guided site visits. Students visit organizations related to the themes covered in the course and then present their findings.

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded based on participation, papers, presentations, and written assignments and/or written or oral exams.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

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

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
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
  • Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE STEM Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

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 Summer Session I and II 2025 8 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $9,350

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 = $5,080**

Housing = $3,770***

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $9,350

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 = $370

International Airfare = $1,350

Local Transportation = $140

Books & Supplies = $50

Personal expenses = $130††

Round trip airfare between locations = $200

Other = $161

Total Costs = $2,401

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.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**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 groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

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

Staff

Our Staff

Mark Simmons

Center Director

Mark Simmons has an M.A. in History from the University of Aberdeen and a postgraduate degree in Administrative and Information Management from Napier University Edinburgh. 

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.

Cathelijn Kuis

Student Life Director

Cathelijn studied Journalism (BA) and American Studies (MA) at the University of Utrecht.

Seán O’Donnell

Student Life Manager

Seán O’Donnell studied Anthropology at Goldsmiths – perhaps that’s why he is so good at working with students as they explore and study with us in London! He has worked...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

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.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info