Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Despite the shortness of my stay (2 weeks), I am very happy with all the amazing things I have seen and learned, not to mention the wonderful people I have met. I would definitely recommend attending the VU Amsterdam summer school, as the program offered presents a perfect balance between the fun and the informative.

Photos

VU has really knowledgable professors and well thought out courses. I really enjoyed my time and I learned a lot. The social programs were also very nice and there was a lot to do. The one thing that could be improved would be that they did not provide transportation back to the airport for me when I was returning home.

I attended to a two weeks International Criminal Justice course for summer. It not only comprised both, theoretical and practical fields, but also a wide range of professionals gave the lectures: defence lawyers, academics and a judge from the International Criminal Court (ICC). In addition, we traveled to The Hague and visited the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the ICC, where we witness a hearing. I'm grateful with the teaches and the VU staff, because I learnt a lot and had a great time with the extracurricular trips and activities. Overall, the course helped me to grow further in my academic career, as well as to have the time to really know the city.

VU was super helpful in setting everything up for us and organising excursions to see Amsterdam! The courses are interesting and you get a good impression of what living in Holland would be like. There's still plenty of time to explore (on a bike) after class or on weekends.

Photos

Had a great summer school experience at the VU - the courses were interesting and the lecturers and excursions engaging but not too intense there was no time to relax and enjoy the experience of living and studying in Holland! The VU Summer School team we’re lovely and super accessible - always at hand to help, enhanced the whole experience!

International Criminal Justice course is perfect choice for both lawyers specialising in different fields of law and international lawyers. I do not only gained theoretical knowledge but also practical knowledge. Most of the professors were from the Center for International Criminal Justice as well as we had lectures run by judges of International Criminal Court. Course also included study visits to the International Criminal Court and Special Tribunal for Lebanon. These study visits gave us practical knowledge as we had the meetings with the lawyers from Prosecution and Defense Office who told their own experiences. What I liked mostly was that our courses were student -centered and full of discussions of different challenges that International Criminal Court and international community faces. I recommend everyone to take this perfect course!

If you want to see the balanced life style of people you must visit the city of Amsterdam and if you want to see the high quality education environment then you must take admission in VU. The people are very friendly here and the standards of education are quite different than the Asian countries. Also at VU you have a chance to meet the people of different regions with different races and colors. So you then have a chance to learn about the cultures and norma of different regions of the world.

Photos

It is a great program who wants to study abroad and have a great time in Amsterdam. Educational resources are plenty. So amazing to partake in this summer school! Loved every minute of it. Great lecturers who teach with lots of passion! No better way to spend your summer if you're a student!So great to be here. Definitely u guys should come!! Nice opportunity to individual development!! Had a great time studying here for the summer, very intense two week courses but quite interesting and fun.

Studying here has been just amazing, from housing through academic work to social stuff. And these memories are going to linger on forever! The Dominican Republic is a tropical nation and as such has several health risks not normally found in Europe or North America. The sun is very strong, even on cloudy days and it is always advisable to wear sunscreen. Most expatriates, who live here, rarely sunbathe. There are also a whole variety of insects to beware of although none deliver fatal bites. mosquitoes are plentiful and apart from the bites can carry dengue fever and malaria. Malaria is rarely found in the DR but it does exist in Haiti and sometimes crosses to the border areas. Some overseas health authorities will advise taking malaria prophylactics but few tourists and even fewer expats do. Dengue is more prevalent however, and it is best to avoid being bitten by using repellent, fumigating the home and garden, ensuring there is no standing water and wearing long trousers especially in the evenings. The mosquitoes which carry dengue are a specific breed known as the patas blancas which means white paws and they are easily recognizable by having white feet. mosquito nets for the beds are easily available as are coils which you can burn at night to keep the mosquitoes away. Nasty bites can also be given by large centipedes and spiders and these should be avoided.

Studying abroad at Vrije U is an experience of a lifetime. They have planned great excursions that are fun and help you dive a little more into the culture of the Netherlands. Vrije has been easy to communicate with for any problems I have had. The campus staff is always so friendly and helpful and they genuinely want you to have the best time possible!

I am coming on my second week of studying abroad here at Vrije U, and the experience is one that will be remembered for the rest of my life. Vrije does an excellent job at being accessable and easy to communicate with. They planned a few great excursions that were well organized and allowed me to focus on having fun rather than stressing about planning. The campus is nice and clean and offers a nice cafeteria which is probably the most affordable place to eat that I have found.

The emotional outcome of any experience is completely subjective. When it's going abroad, every conceivable emotion occurs and reoccurs throughout your entire stay in a foreign land. It's overwhelming, in both a positive and yes, even negative way. Me? I fell in love with Amsterdam. That's not to say I didn't have sad, angry, homesick, or stressed emotions just because I was in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It's perfectly natural to feel all those things, even while in such a magical place. For me, what rose above all the spectrum of human emotions were the moments that gave me pure elation. Elation that I may never have felt had I not gone abroad. It was a human experience I was in much need of, and I recommend it to anyone who is presented the opportunity. I love Amsterdam and everything it had to offer.

It's hard to describe the exciting experience of 2 weeks here by words. The living situation is so good and the students and professor here are very kind. I like the teamworks together. And VU Amsterdam summer school is reliable. I just want to recommend this program to my all classmates. It's nice to study and live here.

Photos

There is not much anyone can ask for after attending a two week program filled with amazing people in an amazing city. "Real cool" should be written under the promoting brochure because that is what this program has been for me. I would recommend anyone to embark on this experience!