Exchange student from Purchase at de Theaterschool in 2007

I first want to say that my time in Amsterdam and at the Theaterschool was the best 4 months of my life. I am not exaggerating when I say that it should be a requirement that students go abroad and that the Amsterdam program was just phenomenal.

It’s interesting for a student from the USA to go to de Theaterschool in Amsterdam because of the difference in atmosphere and training you receive from both schools. In many ways it was similar, for example in the calibre of training, but in so many more ways it was vastly different. I think it’s important to see what other kind of dance is our there and available for students to explore. At the Theaterschool we did tons of improvisation and contact improvisation, we did drama classes and conditioning. All of this has helped me become a more well rounded dancer and explore what else I could accomplish in this art form! The dancing in Europe needs to be experienced by all dancers, I believe!

The cultural life in Amsterdam is like no other place I have ever been and I believe like no other place on earth. Everyone speaks English even though Dutch is their language, so this made it easy to communicate. Since this is true, I met so many people from all over the place! There were about 12 people in my class at the Theaterschool, and only 2 were Dutch! Everyone else was from all over the place, Germany, Norway, Croatia, Finland, France, and the list goes on! Amsterdam attracts people from everywhere and it’s so cool to live there and experience that. As many know, almost everything is possible in Amsterdam. The red light district and smoking, etc. This only adds to the difference in culture than that of the USA....I found it more laid back and chill and not to mention, Amsterdam as a city is beautiful! Those "unusual" things will not distract someone who just wants to explore the city and see its true beauty...the canals are gorgeous and the windmills are a must-see cultural aspect of the city!

The main form of transportation in Amsterdam is BIKING!!! Believe it or not, there are more bikes in the city than people! The streets are small and biking is really the best way to go. I got a bike there for only 10 Euros and rode it everyday...everywhere...the centre, main stream, of the city is small and you can bike the whole thing! I even brought my bike back home to America with me as a souvenir of my time! If you don't like that, the Trams are the next best thing. Very cheap, about 2 Euros like the subway in NYC. There is also a subway system. Pay by zone, also not too expensive. The cabs there are however expensive. I would suggest getting a bike; it'll make you feel like a real Amsterdam-ian! 

There are tons and tons of performances to see...and through the school you can get student discounts...I saw more performances there than I have seen here!!! And they were amazing.

When it comes to money, it’s a bummer because our dollar is not worth as much as the euro. Also, depending on where you find a place to live it can vary vastly...Leah and I paid 1000 Euros a month for our apt...split it was 500 Euros each a month...but you can find like rooms for only 200 a month. Leah and I wanted to get the most out of our time there so we had our own place, in the center of the city, 2 minutes from the school, so of course we paid more! But in all honesty, it made the experience so much better! Food at the supermarket is cheap. Social activities are also cheap...concerts for only 5 or 10 Euros...dance shows for about 15 Euros...dining out is about the same as here...there are fast food places and all that too! It all depends on how you want to live and what you want to do...It is definitely possible to live there for cheaper than living in NYC!

We had a 10 day break...and yes we went to Italy for 10 days!!! Its sooooo easy to travel cheap! We went to Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan on our Italy tour. All together the travel was less than 300 Euros I believe. For all the places! Ryan air is the airline to take. I got a ticket from Amsterdam to Spain, roundtrip 20 Euros!!!! You can find deals for students and other ways, and also the trains are slower but cheap! The school was laid back when it came to missing a day or two, especially because they knew we were exchange and wanted to travel. We also went to Paris, Belgium, and other places in Holland. Because of the fact I could travel to many different places, and for cheap, I chose Amsterdam to go for my time abroad!

Make sure you are there before you give anyone money for a place to live. You will get scammed if you send someone money before you get there and see that the apartment actually exists. Don't travel in the Red Light District late by yourself. See everything. All the museums and everything! Go with an open mind and ready to learn new things.

I actually felt really really safe! And we lived one street parallel to the Red Light District! That area was a bit shady late at night by yourself, but you can walk around it and its fine. I never felt threatened and almost every time I had out my map people would come up to me asking if I needed help and were willing to help me, not sketchy how I would think. People were friendly and the city was easy to navigate and find your bearings, so be confident and it'll be okay!

The experience as a whole was truly amazing. It’s hard to pick out a favourite because it was my time as a whole that made it unforgettable. The dancing and atmosphere in the dance school was fantastic and accepting. The people were just awesome. The performances especially by NDT made me cry! I really have no negative things to say. Sorry if that is not helpful but I really did have the best time ever!