Often called Holland, the Netherlands is a beautiful country that is known for its:
But even though this country has few hills and is as flat as a pancake, there is nothing flat about its culture and inhabitants.
You can:
- Study abroad for a summer in the Netherlands to get your fill of fantastic scenery, both inside and outside, at Hoge Veluwe National Park. One of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands, this park has a wide variety of wildlife that include deer and boars, and it also has the museum Kröller-Müller Museum, which houses many famous Van Gogh paintings.
- Stay for a semester abroad in the Netherlands to visit the historic town of Leiden. Leiden is one of the most important towns in Dutch history, as well as one of the most beautiful. The town is lined with various canals from the Rhine River, and it has a number of old churches and fortifications that still remain standing since the fifteenth century.
Regardless of how long you study in Netherlands, you will always find something interesting to do or to see.
Study Netherlands University Programs
The Netherlands is a wonderful place to get a top-notch education and to meet a diverse group of international students.
- The oldest and most distinguished university in the Netherlands is Leiden University, which was founded in 1575. The university is a research-based institution, but it also offers international students programs that include creative and performing arts, math, law, philosophy and theology. You can even enroll in a 3-week intensive Dutch language course. With four faculty members winning the Nobel Peace Prize and a school environment surrounded by canals, pubs and 18th century architecture, Leiden University is a great place to get a European education.
- Located in the center of Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam is one of the biggest and most attended universities in all of Europe. This academic institution has over eighty degree programs that range from Chemistry and Economics to European Studies and Social Sciences. One of the best things about the school is its location in Amsterdam, which has over 150 canals to tour and dozens of museums, art galleries and theaters to visit after class.
Other study abroad Netherlands universities include:
For more study abroad Netherlands information, see the Universities section, and for ideas to help pay for your experience see Financing Your Experience.
Modes of Transportation in the Netherlands
While in the Netherlands you have a variety of modes of transportation to choose from because the country is connected to the rest of Europe by a rather large network of motorways.
- One of the most popular ways to travel in the Netherlands is by railway. Both intercity and local trains run on every half hour, and the most popular rail companies are NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen and Syntus. These companies operate just about all of the rail services in the Netherlands, and they also accept rail passes like those offered by RailEurope.com.
- It’s also very easy to rent a car while in the Netherlands. You can find a complete listing of available car rental companies in the Netherlands by using CarRentalExpress.com.
- You can also ride on any of the bus networks that are located throughout the country, and find a complete listing of taxi companies at TravelersDigest.com.
- The best way to get from one point to another in the Netherlands is to ride a bike! The Netherlands is an extremely bike-friendly country, with all of the major roads sharing separate bike lanes and train stations even offering bike rentals. You can even take your bike on the train if you purchase a separate ticket for it.
Always remember to health and safety guidelines whenever you are traveling in another country, especially if you are riding a bike everywhere.
Currency Exchange Rates for Netherlands
Netherlands currency is known as the Euro, which is the same currency used in France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain. You should always know the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and any foreign currency before you travel so you will be prepared to make purchases without any trouble.
Here’s what you need to know about the Euro:
- Coins = 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and 1 and 2 Euro
- Bills = 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500
You can use a currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the Euro.
Don’t Forget to Stop in Amsterdam
A study abroad trip to the Netherlands would not be complete without a stop at its capital city of Amsterdam. There is some form of entertainment for everyone in this city that his visited by over 4.2 million tourists every year.
- If you’re interested in art then you should stop at the Van Gogh Museum, which has the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world.
- Historians might want to visit the Anne Frank House, which is an entire museum dedicated to Anne Frank, who hid from Nazi persecution during World War II.
- The city is also built around a collection of canals, and you can take a trip around the entire city in around 90 minutes.
- Or you can take a walking tour of the city on any of the thousands of bridges that canvas the city. While touring the city you can view the many traditional wooden Dutch homes and flower marts that line the streets.
- A great place to crack open a book or to just relax is the 120 acre Vondelpark. This urban park gets over 10 million visitors every year, but maybe that’s because it has many bike paths, shows open air films and theater shows and even has golf tournaments.
- Of course there is always the famous Red Light District to visit at night if you are adventurous. This district covers several blocks in Amsterdam and is know for its adult entertainment venues.
Your study abroad Netherlands experience will be a memorable one if you take time to enjoy all that this country has to offer.
Important Study Abroad Netherlands Information
You should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need:
