Study Abroad in the Netherlands

Find study abroad programs in the Netherlands!

There is much more to the Netherlands, or Holland as it is sometimes known, than its famous windmills, tulips and clogs. Dutch culture was born of Germanic, Celtic and Frankish influences, and the country passed through the hands of the Hapsburgs and the Spanish before obtaining its proud independence. Today the country is even more diverse, harboring sizable populations from the former Dutch colonies of Indonesia and Suriname. The Netherlands never fails to surprise and intrigue outsiders with its blend of Protestant reserve and famously liberal social policies.

The Netherlands is located in Western Europe and borders the North Sea, Belgium and Germany. In addition to its mainland European territory, the country is also comprised of six islands in the Caribbean Sea, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. Major cities include Amsterdam, the official capital; Rotterdam, Europe's largest port; and The Hague, a center for international legal arbitration and the city where the Dutch government is actually located.

Education is an integral part of Dutch society, and the country has close to universal literacy. International students who enroll in Dutch education programs will find that many study abroad programs are taught in English, which is not surprising given that more than 80 percent of the Dutch population has a basic knowledge of English. The Netherlands also has one of the highest percentages of Internet users in the world.

The country is a scientific research leader and has been home to several Nobel Prize winners in the fields of chemistry and physics. Science majors studying abroad in the Netherlands will find their niche at Wageningen University. In addition to being strong in the scientific disciplines, it has a notable agriculture program where students can study the country's grasslands, arable farmland and horticulture that contribute so much to the Netherlands' economy.

Amsterdam, the country's most populated city, is home to several prestigious universities and many historical sites due to the major role it played in European history. One of the more well-known institutions is the University of Amsterdam, which, in addition to offering classes taught in English, has an excellent program in Dutch studies. Students can also take Dutch history classes at the Historisch Museum, located inside a 17th century monastery. Students studying in Amsterdam should not miss visiting the famous Anne Frank Huis, which sheltered the young Jewish girl and her family during WWII.

Students' interest in Dutch language and culture may also be drawn to the University of Groningen in the northeast. The city of Groningen has been a major trading center throughout Dutch history, and dates back nearly 2,000 years. Here, students may study the works of Golden Age dramatists such as Joost van den Vondel and P.C. Hooft.

Art students yearning to follow in the footsteps of Dutch artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Jan Vermeer should consider studying at the University of Utrecht, just south of Amsterdam. Utrecht is also home to the Centraal Museum and the Kasteel Museum, and not too far from Amsterdam's Vincent Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, known as the "Louvre of the Netherlands."

The city of Leiden, located between Amsterdam and The Hague, is famous for its architecture. Here, students can study the 11th century De Burcht Castle, the 15th century St. Pancras Church and Marekerk Castle, built in 1639. The University of Leiden, established in 1575, is the oldest university in the country.

For centuries, the Netherlands has served as a center of international trade, and Dutch universities are known for their strong programs in management and business. Erasmus University, for example, in Rotterdam, is a good choice for management students. Those interested in studying business might want to consider taking classes at Tilburg University, located south of Rotterdam.

Engineering programs are yet another strength of Dutch Universities, as the Netherlands is situated on the delta of three major rivers-the Rhine, Maas and Scheldt-and in need of sophisticated bridge building and hydraulic engineers to prevent flooding. Students interested in engineering may want to consider studying at Delft University of Technology.

Students in the Netherlands will have no shortage of things to do outside the classroom. They can visit the beaches of Noorderstrand and Zuiderstrand, or take in the famous nightlife in Amsterdam. The Netherlands is a world leader in modern dance, and students can see this for themselves at one of the many theaters in the country. Students can also easily enjoy side-trips by taking a short flight to Paris, Madrid or Berlin-Amsterdam is an important travel hub, with one of the world's busiest airports.

Those who study in the Netherlands will discover that the Dutch steadfastly believe in freedom of expression and tolerance. The Dutch are known for their egalitarian society, and relish sports including skating, soccer, hockey and Korfball, a game similar to basketball. Students who experience the Netherlands will enjoy a world-class education in a captivating and diverse country.

ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport: http://www.IIEPassport.org
Government Site: http://www.government.nl/
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: http://www.minocw.nl/english/index.html
Tourism: http://www.minocw.nl/english/index.html
Radboud University Nijmegen: http://www.ru.nl/english/
Vrije University of Amsterdam: http://www.vu.nl/english/index.html
University of Twente: http://www.utwente.nl/en/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman

Find study abroad programs in the Netherlands!

Find study abroad scholarships in the Netherlands.

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