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Study in Amsterdam, Netherlands


Study in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Liberal, open, and worldly, Amsterdam is famous the world over for its loose cultural attitudes. Still, while countless tourists, especially young people, flock to the city to take advantage of its lax policies, there is of course far more to Amsterdam and hedonism and nightlife. The city has been the cultural and financial hub of Dutch society for centuries, and has been home to no shortage of painters and social innovators over the years. Its picturesque canals and stately architecture have inspired creativity and insight in generations of foreign visitors, including many students.
 
Thought to be one of the most livable cities in Europe, Amsterdam successfully blends history and modernity–timeless canal views and historic buildings intermingle with 21st-century conveniences and a heavily globalized atmosphere. This combination of traits, probably more than anything else, is what sets Amsterdam apart from other European capitals. It is easy to get around, with all its far-flung neighborhoods connected by a smooth and reliable tram system. Bicycles, however, remain the most favored means of transportation for most locals
 
Although Amsterdam is more popular as a vacation destination than a place of learning, it hosts numerous study abroad programs and is home to 2 world-class universities. In addition, several international institutions have set up campuses in Amsterdam to serve both local and foreign students, so the educational options here are various. Amsterdam is a particularly popular study abroad location among students from North America and the UK due to the prevalence of English. Nearly everyone in the city can speak English to some degree, and the majority are fluent. Those who wish to take classes in English, then, will have no problem finding programs.
 
English is extremely common in Amsterdam, and it is possible if necessary to get by without speaking any Dutch at all. The Dutch language, however, has a unique beauty and charm all its own, and many students from other countries choose to take language classes during their stay in order to improve their command of Dutch. Despite the widespread presence of English, there can be no doubt that a student's experience of Dutch society and culture will be significantly deepened by a familiarity with the local language.
 
Given the diversity of Dutch society, it should come as no surprise that its educational offerings are extremely diverse as well. Large, high-profile institutions such as the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit offer courses in everything from philosophy and literature to medicine and engineering. If there is one thing that Amsterdam's academic community is most known for, however, it is finance and economics. Arguably the birthplace of modern capitalism, Amsterdam has a long and storied history of innovative economic thought and practice, and it maintains this legacy through a partnership between international banks and schools of finance. Students  frequently come to Amsterdam to take advantage of career opportunities at local financial institutions, building experience and adding to their résumés even as they earn their degrees.