Criminology Study Abroad Programs in Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and the perfect destination if you’re looking for a unique yet highly European study location. Founded in the 12th century as a fishing village, Amsterdam became an important trading port during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, creating the iconic canals and low-laying brick buildings quintessential to the city today. Though a large city of over 850,000 inhabitants, Amsterdam is relatively compact, and you'll find that it is very accessible. This highly diverse cultural hub is known for its renowned museums and art, all with an undeniably cozy and laid-back atmosphere. In this interdisciplinary and academically rigorous program, students learn alongside Dutch and other international students for a semester or full academic year at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Course offerings are highly specialized, focusing on research methodology across various disciplines. Students use Amsterdam as their classroom for labs, field trips, and other activities to facilitate deeper engagement with course material.

Imagine learning not only while you’re sitting in class, but also while exploring the Van Gogh Museum, trying your first Stroopwafel, or on a bike ride for daily errands. This is what it's like to study abroad in the Netherlands! With us, you'll take learning outside the classroom as you visit world-famous sites and immerse yourself in the relaxed and progressive culture, making the Netherlands a perfect host country for study abroad. To top it all off, our excursions take you throughout the region to explore sites such as the vibrant countryside tulip fields and the stately streets of The Hague. What’s not to like about studying abroad in The Netherlands?

War crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide harm people, disrupt societies, and endanger global peace and security. In the recent decade, the international community has expressed its clear desire to end such atrocities and to prosecute those responsible. But designing effective “real-world” response strategies and understanding the underlying human behavior remain extremely challenging. Only a multidisciplinary approach has any hope of success. This course is the first of its kind to take up that gauntlet. It introduces students to the basics of international criminal law, critically assesses modes of investigation, reflects on why perpetrators commit atrocities, and discusses the value of alternative responses like truth commissions and amnesties. Together with a group of expert lawyers and criminologists, students explore what “doing justice” means in practice and identify and discuss the most pressing challenges. Naturally, in so doing, students make the most of the location just 30 minutes away from the legal capital of the world, The Hague. Over the last few years, the course included guest lectures by different distinguished speakers working at the ICC.