Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Junior standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
Penn State Education Abroad approves four (4) IES semester programs in Amsterdam. Students will choose from one of these program tracks:
Imagine studying international business and global economics in beautiful Amsterdam, one of Europe’s leading cities for business and progressive social and economic policy. It’s also a hub for entrepreneurship and start-ups. With its central location in Europe and full-member status in the European Union, the Netherlands is the perfect place to study abroad and understand not only business and economics in the Netherlands, but across all of Europe—its significant trading partners are Germany, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.
By enrolling in this program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to choose from a large variety of Business and Economics courses at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Located in Amsterdam’s business district, the School of Economics & Business Administration has applied for AACSB accreditation and offers courses in Business Information Systems, Finance, International Business Law, Global Supply Chain Management, Organization Theory, and many other topics. You can also supplement your studies at the VU with an IES Abroad course taught at the Center in Art History, Art, Cultural Studies, Dutch, or Gender Studies.
Are you considering attending law school after graduation? This program gives you a glimpse of your future in law school and what sort of legal career you may enjoy. Learn about comparative law in an international context while studying abroad with us in the Netherlands, where local students start their law degrees at the Bachelor’s level.
By enrolling in this program, you add international law and criminology experience to your transcript—a great talking point when interviewing for law school or your first job. Enroll in the IES Abroad-taught core course, Major Issues in Law & Society: A Comparative Context, and three Law- or Criminology-related courses at the renowned Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). As part of the core course, you will complete a supervised research project. In addition, you will gain experience in writing case briefs, as well as participating in a moot court.
Taking VU classes with Dutch and international students, you gain a valuable international perspective that only comes with study abroad. Past courses that students have taken include Human Rights & Migration, Politics of International Security, and Ethics & Integrity of Governance, among others.
Study Psychology, Health, Computer Science, or Earth and Life Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Located in the South of Amsterdam and boasting a diverse student population, the VU offers a wide array of courses in Psychology and the sciences taught by professors and researchers who are among the best in their fields. By taking classes with Dutch and international students, you’ll gain a valuable international perspective that only comes with study abroad.
Your English-taught courses may have you talking to practitioners and experts in the field, monitoring your heart rate to track first-hand how stress affects your life, diving in to the laboratories, visiting patients at a clinic, or helping to program a robot. You may also choose to expand your studies with an IES Abroad-taught course on Cross-Cultural Psychology, Sexuality and Gender, Studio Art, or Art History.
Are you eager to take an independent, fresh look at the world—and at yourself? Let Amsterdam redefine your perspective. This progressive city is known for its cutting-edge contributions to the arts, business, politics, and social policy, and for its importance in the history of Europe and the world.
Our Social Sciences & Humanities Program takes advantage of the city’s unique balance of history and contemporary culture, and lets you structure your studies at the prestigious Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and at the IES Abroad Center.
With a strong focus on internationalism, the UvA offers a wide range of courses in many areas of study, including Conflict & Cultural Diversity, Globalization & International
Relations, and Sociology. You can also choose from IES Abroad’s course offerings in Studio Art, Gender Studies, Dutch language, and other subjects.
Dates
Academic Year: mid August - late May
Fall: mid August - mid December
Spring: late January - late May
Refer to the IES Amsterdam website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
Known for its liberal views and open-minded attitude, the residents of this cozy city welcome you to study abroad in Amsterdam. You can ride through the scenic canals, visit the Anne Frank House, take a walking tour of the city’s different neighborhoods, and meet professionals working at local and global organizations while studying abroad in Amsterdam, where every day is brings something new to explore. You’ll adore the lovely canals and old European charm that make up this enchanting city. Because the city planning hasn’t changed much since the 19th century, you’ll appreciate the architecture and historic homes that color the city, not to mention the tulips. And you can’t leave without seeing the windmills!
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.