Program Director: Naomi Githae
Assistant Director
Office of International Programs
Phone: 410-617-2920
ngithae@loyola.edu
Thank you for your interest in our study abroad programs! The goal of this page is to help you better understand the Amsterdam study abroad exchange program and highlight distinguishing features that might interest you as a parent. More detailed and updated information will be given to your son or daughter in information sessions, academic reviews, workshops, and pre-departure orientations. Once you read this information, we strongly encourage you to speak with your son/daughter who might be able to fill in some of the gaps. Please know all information is given to the students and we ask students to share this with you.
Sending students abroad is a partnership with students, parents and program officials. We realize that you will have questions and if our website or your son/daughter cannot answer those questions, we will be happy to discuss the study abroad process and program information with you. However, due to the FERPA Federal Regulation, we will not be able to discuss specific information regarding your son/daughter; however, if your son/daughter is willing to sign a waiver form indicating the specific information to be shared with you, we will be happy to discuss specific matters regarding your son/daughter.
We hope you find this information helpful in assisting your son/daughter to accomplish his or her goal of learning, living, and serving abroad. We look forward to working with you and your son/daughter.
About Amsterdam and International Business School at Hogeschool van Amsterdam (H.E.S.)
What makes Amsterdam so attractive is the picturesque buildings and the intimacy of the streets, canals and squares which create an atmosphere that visitors find charming. The city has the highest museum density in the world and is home to cultural highlights, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Hermitage Amsterdam, and the Rijksmuseum with Rembrandt’s world-famous Nightwatch. Other well-known places of interest in Amsterdam are the Jewish Historical Museum and the Rembrandt House. The best way to get around Amsterdam is on a bike and with the population of bikes that outnumber the citizens there is always a bike available to ride.
The school (H.E.S.) offers specially designed international programs which are taught in English. As a result, nearly one third of the institute's international students come from all over Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Africa, Australia, and Asia to complete their international business studies. Students must take more classes (8-10) to equate to a U.S. load but students with majors in marketing, international business, and finance have an easy time fulfilling business school requirements.
Travel to Amsterdam
Students make their own arrangements for travel to Amsterdam. We strongly suggest that students use a travel agent as they may assist should events alter itineraries at the last moment. Loyola University Maryland uses Frosch Travel International in Baltimore, MD. Alice Wilcox handles all of Loyola’s arrangements, and may be reached by email at alice.wilcox@frosch.com or by phone at 410-433-9300.
Students fly into Amsterdam via Schiphol Airport (AMS). After arriving at Schiphol Airport, students travel to the dorm which is located about 30 minutes away by taxi. Most signs and almost all cab drivers speak English and the Euro is the currency used in transactions.
Please make sure your son/daughter is at least three hours early to the airport for proper check-in and to go through security. Students should carry with them: their passport with visa, money, ATM card, credit card, any prescription drugs they might need, and clothes in case your luggage gets delayed.
Visa
Loyola University Students who have a U.S. passport will start the process to get a resident permit (student visa) while they are in the U.S. and complete it after they arrive in Amsterdam. The price of the resident permit has recently increased and is likely to change again soon. Currently, the cost of the resident permit is 900 Euros.
Students will be required to submit financial documents or financial documents of their guardians to show the ability to maintain themselves fiscally while in Amsterdam. The specifics of what constitute the means necessary to live in Amsterdam and the type of documentation as proof is determined by the Dutch government and changes annually. Loyola University Maryland cannot alter any decision made by the Dutch government.
Airlines/Baggage
Airlines have lately been changing flight schedules and routes so baggage and other fees or benefits cannot be guaranteed.
It is very important that your son/daughter check the airline website to make sure that their luggage complies with weight restrictions and number of bag flown for free. International flights are very strict about luggage size and weight and it is something that can change without ample warning, so checking the website periodically is highly suggested.
On-Site Support
Loyola University Maryland relies on the professional student life staff of H.E.S. The Inbound Office at H.E.S. holds an exchange student orientation at the beginning of each semester. H.E.S. requires medical insurance for all exchange students, if a student’s home insurance is not be valid abroad they may speak with the director of the program at Loyola University Maryland about study abroad insurance.
Housing in Amsterdam
Fraijlemaborg Student Resident Hall is located in Amsterdam Zuid-Oost (South East) less than 400 meters from H.E.S. This apartment block is exclusively available to international students and houses a total of 170 residents, 167 international students, and three resident assistants (RA’s). There are a number of private rooms with shared facilities and private rooms with private facilities. All rooms are furnished and have a wired internet connection. Fraijlemaborg apartment building is near the Bijlmer railway/metro station and a large shopping/entertainment center. In the shopping center, the Amsterdamse Poort, you will find major chain stores, small shops and authentic ethnic food takeaways. For entertainment you can visit the Amsterdam Arena home to the Amsterdam soccer club Ajax and where major concerts take place. In the Heineken Music Hall, you can visit other popular concerts. For cinema entertainment you can go to the largest cinema complex in Amsterdam, Pathé Cinema, with an IMAX screen.
The train or metro can take you to the center of Amsterdam within 15 minutes. Riding a bike, it will take about 30-45 minutes to get to the center of the city. You may also take your bicycle with you on the metro.
Housing can be guaranteed if deadlines are met but not all request for single dormitories can be assured.
Criteria for Acceptance
For the Loyola study abroad exchange program in Amsterdam, students must have a minimum of 2.75 CQPA. They should apply to Loyola’s international program office by Dec. 1, of their sophomore year, in order to be considered for fall or spring semester spots in their junior year. Disciplinary records from the school’s office of student life are taken into consideration when reviewing applications. Students with the highest CQPA will be awarded spots as long as they meet the other criteria. Students should mark down second and third choices in the event that we cannot offer them a spot in the Amsterdam Exchange Program. There are usually five available spots for each semester.
Benefits
Students will have all grades, credits and course transfer back to Loyola University Maryland. Loyola financial aid applies. Housing and board is cheaper than in the U.S.
Money and Banking
We do not encourage students to open up a bank account in Amsterdam. It is best to keep using their U.S. bank account. They will still have access to their U.S. bank accounts through the ATMs in Amsterdam. Students should check with their bank to make sure that their debit/credit card will work overseas, and find out what fees are associated with using the account internationally. Students in the past have recommended withdrawing the maximum allowed from ATMs while in Amsterdam, and keeping their cash in their bedrooms while bringing out only the amount that they need each time they leave home. This will save on ATM fees. Students will be able to withdraw money from any ATM. Credit/Debit cards are not as widely accepted in Amsterdam as they are in the U.S. People tend to use cash more frequently for small and large purchases. Students are also given a H.E.S. ID card which can purchase goods and services on campus when money is allocated to the ID Cards.
Expenses While Abroad
The living costs students incur will depend on your son or daughters lifestyle. You will need between €900 and €1,200 per month to cover rent, food, insurance, transport, and other expenses. Some students manage to spend less, but this of course depends on their own lifestyle and travel preferences.
Odds and Ends
Amsterdam is well known for its thriving business community, its museums, architecture, food, its rich culture, and history. Parents should also be aware that Amsterdam is also known for its coffee shops (marijuana smoke houses) and red light district (prostitution). Parents should have a conversation with their son/daughter about these last two. Although both are legal in Amsterdam, Loyola University Maryland believes that the two put students who visit them in unhealthy and potentially dangerous situations. As such any student found engaging in either could be removed from the program and classes and any payments would be forfeited.