Universiteit van Amsterdam (UVA)

I recommend that my university should try to add a dutch introductory course to the curriculum of their international programs for an added advantage of studying in a country with another language and to help eliminate the feeling of a stranger in public places as a result of having a knowledge of the local language.

Well, I will susgest that the university should try to have more english version of their academic events like discussions, career fair and so on, for the benefit of international students.

As you probably know as an exchange student you are entitled to choose any subjects on languages you speak at any faculties of the University. It is advisable though to ask the lecturer in advance and find out if there are any prerequisites, which you can find at the University Web site. All handbooks are available to buy at the faculty shops. Each subject has its own Web page connected to the University main Internet site. You will find there all information about your teachers, student group, home assignment; further readings as well as transparencies form the lectures if such are available.

nothing comes to my mind at the moment:)

Check the teachers. Ask people about their way of teaching. It is important because courses are divided in small groups and having a good teacher is a main point.

Not to change teachers in the last moment, as it happened sometimes.

Erasmus students take an English level test. If you are good, they let you choose many more courses than the ones you could choose from your home university.

Not really, interesting courses. Well organized and lots of resources.

Get to know the different faculties - then, don't be limited by the school you have enrolled into. Take whatever you want - it's possible!

It was very different from the grading and work system at my home university. While I am accustomed to a steady workload, in Amsterdam there were typically only one or two major assignments given which put a lot more pressure upon the student to keep up with their readings so that they are up to date in class.

you can choose courses also from other faculties (I was a student of the Economics & Econometrics faculty, but I took most of my classes at the International School for Humanities & Social Sciences)

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