<p>My S studied abroad at University of Amsterdam and had a terrific experience. He chose to hang around with the Dutch and European students – not other Americans. He needed a school where he could take courses in his major and this was available here. He had never been to Europe so it was a wonderful experience. He visited high school and college friends who were studying in other nearby countries. He found the coursework challenging. He loved biking everywhere and immersing himself in the Dutch culture. Of course, nearly everyone there speaks English. It was a terrific experience.
He originally wanted to go to Kenya but the program there was closed for awhile due to the violence in the streets.</p>
<p>Just a heads up to others reading this thread - S’s biggest complaint about IES at the moment is that, although 4 of his classes meet Mon - Thurs, he has a language class on Friday. He is only allowed to miss each class 3 times. Many other study abroad programs do not have classes on Fridays, which makes it a lot easier for kids to travel around - which is a large part of the reason for study abroad. </p>
<p>S has a long list of places in Europe he’d like to go, but if he can’t leave until after his language class ends at 12:30, he figures he won’t get to most places (even flying) until 6 - 10 pm Friday night. And he’ll have to come back Sunday afternoon. He’s not thrilled about investing an airfare to go someplace and only having 1 1/2 days to tour while he’s there.</p>
<p>So check whether the program has classes on Fridays, or Mondays. A 4 day week is more conducive to travel, if that’s something you hope to do a lot of during your semester/year abroad.</p>
<p>I agree with recent posters about the need to check out class schedules and rigor ahead of time. The benefit is truly in the travel experience. DD studied abroad in London and Paris. Her classes did not meet on Fridays, enabling her to take the train further than she would otherwise have been able to.</p>
<p>I also agree with the comment about the ability to spend more time in a cafe than a library. DD’s roommate did not choose as wisely with courses in Paris and ended up with alot of reading and writing that kept her from enjoying many of the day trips and longer weekend ventures. That just seemed such a shame to me…to be in Paris and not be able to wander.</p>
<p>My D only had classes on TWR last semester in UK. That was through Direct Enrol (British spelling). It was not that she chose that, it was what days she wound up getting based on the classes she took. She travelled a lot. </p>
<p>In Madrid she is with API, but is not at a center like Lafalum’s S, but at an actual university. I didn 't see her particular program in the link, though I did see some other API programs. Anyhow, since she is at a university, she will get many holidays, as there are lots of them in Spain. Otherwise her classes are M-F.</p>
<p>Lafalum, perhaps there will be some surprises for your S. Certainly he should have Semana Santa off. This is the week leading up to Easter. When a holiday is on Monday or Friday, she will not have classes. If a holiday is on Tor R, many places close for a 4-day weekend. I don’t know if this will happen at the university, though it does happen for my son who lives/works there.</p>
<p>He knows he has 4 Fridays off, plus a 10 day Spring Break. Plus he gets his 3 skips, so that gives him 7 Fridays he can travel. I told him I didn’t think he could afford to travel more than 7 weekends, but he’s still annoyed that they scheduled classes on Friday to begin with, since all the other classes are M&W or T&Th. His schedule isn’t that bad, his Fri class ends at 12:15, but some people have class until later.</p>
<p>Other than that, he’s loving the city, his dorm, his new friends, and the program in general.</p>
<p>Rate Your Study Abroad - Study Abroad Reviews - Home - about this website - on their home page they write: “Click a country to view programs” and then when you mouse over, they list CONTINENTS! sheesh!</p>
<p>I know that kids studying in Europe like to fly cheap, like easyjet. Last week D went w/a SA friend to Portugal. After boarding in Madrid, the other girl was told her bag was too large for the overhead bin (according to D they had fit it in the sizer before boarding and it fit) and they checked it and charged her 22euro. That same weekend another girl had the same thing done to her heading to Paris, only she left her computer (not a bright thing to do) in the bag when they took it. Upon arrival the computer and power cord were gone. This was also on easyjet. In the first case the girl proved to the easyjet people in Lisbon that the bag had fit, they agreed, but no refund. In Paris easyjet refused to do anything as well.</p>
<p>Just a heads up.</p>
<p>gloworm, I just copied your posting #87 and emailed it to S in Spain.</p>
<p>BTW, S went on a Euroadventures trip to Interlaken, Switzerland last weekend. Despite the 12 hour bus ride, he absolutely loved it. I think it was the best weekend of his life. He posted 100 photos on his Shutterfly account. (this is the same kid who refused to bring a camera to college freshman year because “I have one in my phone and I never take pictures anyway.”)</p>
<p>We’re leaving on Thursday to visit him for 6 days, I’m excited and nervous! Definitely will be out of my comfort zone - I speak VERY LITTLE Spanish!</p>
<p>Lafalum,</p>
<p>I think you will love your trip. </p>
<p>I am not surprised your son took 100 pics in Switzerland. I remember that I thought it couldn’t be as pretty as it was. In a week I could not get over how beautiful every place we saw was. There were times I had to push my jaw up.</p>
<p>You are hitting Spain at a time when the Euro is (relatively) low. Please give a report!</p>
<p>All these posts sound so exciting, can’t wait for my turn! :)</p>