A look back at our first week in Amsterdam

From walking tour, park, museum visits to even a cooking class. What a phenomenal first week in the program.

Upon arrival on Sunday, June 12th, the students were taken on a small walking tour around the hostel to get to know the area. After a nice evening walk, and of course, a long journey from the States, everyone wanted to have a relaxing evening in the hostel.

On Monday, June 13th, the students attended their second orientation at UvA in the morning and their very first class with CIEE educator Annabel Thomas. In the afternoon, everyone was treated to a nice canal cruise in Amsterdam. Our tour guide was gracious enough to tell us a facts and interesting stories about different locations around the city.

Our week continued with a lovely queer walking tour on Tuesday, led by Jonathan Key. The students learned a lot about queer life and activism in Amsterdam and some interesting facts and stories from different locations. What a treat!

Thursday was a great day for our students, they were treated with a “walking tour class,” or we shall call it, a field trip, and a lovely visit to Rijksmuseum Amsterdam in the afternoon. After a long day of walking around, CIEE treated the class to a meal in an Indian restaurant.

On Friday, June 17th, the group continued their lessons with Katie in the morning and after lunch they had their second Dutch class. After a long day of classes, our students deserved to have a little bit of free time to walk with their friends around the city to do some shopping and visit some cool spots. In the evening, we were treated to a lovely dance performance by the students of UvA.

The very first weekend in Amsterdam was a fun one. On Saturday we went to an idyllic town called Zaanse Schans, where we were able to see and enter the infamous windmills of the Netherlands. Continuing our weekend, we’ve truly integrated into Dutch life by going on a biking at Amsterdamse Bos.

-MM