Netherlands

Age and eligibility

Students must be aged between 15 – 17 for exchange in The Netherlands.

In addition to the completed application form, applicants need to provide a photo of themselves without being recognisable i.e.: participating in an activity showing a profile shot only along with a short video of you, in which you tell a bit about yourself – it doesn’t need to take long, just enough to get a good first impression of you. Please upload this as a private video on You Tube and share the link with your Program Coordinator.

Language criteria

Students accepted onto programs for the Netherlands will be provided with access to an online language course, valued at 130 Euro and is included in the program fee. Having a basic knowledge of the language (Dutch) allows easy adaption to School and Host family life.

Program length

Long programs are available for an Academic Semester or Academic Year. We have limited spots for our long programs. Programs depart in January/February, or July/August each year. Short programs are available at the end of the year for 2 or three months.

Schools

School life in The Netherlands encourages independence and responsibility from students in a supportive environment. Classes usually run from 8:30 am to 4-5:00 pm, depending on the students timetable. Exchange students may have choice of electives where possible, and the curriculum includes Culture & Society, Economy & Society, Nature & Health and Nature & Technique, with a variety of subjects in each stream. It’s possible that you might have a free period or “tussenuur” – this provides time to do your homework or independent language study.

Vaccinations

Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory). Please be sure to note all vaccinations you have received in your application.

Visa

Long programs require a a Stay Permit, as this is for longer than 90 days in The Netherlands. Our partner organisation will apply for this permit after the program fees invoice has been paid – the indicative cost is approximately EUR380, but this will be confirmed at the time as fees can vary. Students collect their Staying permit in their local community with assistance from their host family.

On arrival students are required to attend a mandatory Orientation – 6 days for long programs and 4 days for short programs, included in your program fee. A Dutch online language course is provided prior to departure to prepare for the Soft Landing Camp.

Students applying for the Semester and Year programs will have access to a bike free of charge for the entire program length. In addition, the cost of some excursions will be included in the program price, and details will be provided at the Soft Landing Camp (one excursion per Academic Semester, two per Academic Year program).

All students arriving in the Netherlands starting August will receive a free Museum Card. It will give students free access to every Dutch museum, from the Van Gogh museum to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and from the Open air museum in Arnhem to the South Sea museum in Enkhuizen,for their entire exchange.

Academic Semester & Year Students will have access to a free bike for the entire program.

Agenda (example only)

Monday: Around noon you will arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. You will be greeted by staff members.. When all other students have arrived as well, we will bring you to the accommodation in
Amsterdam by bus. Depending on the weather there is a fun activity in the afternoon. In the evening we
have dinner together and you’ll get a presentation about the program of the week. We will also do some
games so we can all get to know each other better. Later in the evening there is time to relax.

Agenda cont. (example only):

Tuesday: After breakfast we will go into the city centre of Amsterdam. In the morning you will visit “This is Holland” and get to know the Netherlands better by a 5D show. Then we will go to the Amsterdam Lookout where you have a great view over the city. After lunch, Plastic Whale will take us on a boat trip in the
Amsterdam canals. In the evening we have dinner at our accommodation in Amsterdam and after dinner
you will do a Dutch language questionnaire.
Wednesday: This day is full of Dutch classes, in the morning, afternoon and evening! But don’t worry, there are
enough breaks in between for coffee, tea, a snack and also for lunch. After the afternoon class we will
have dinner followed by one more session of language training with lots of fun games to practice your
Dutch skills.
Thursday: After breakfast you will start with Dutch classes again. In the late afternoon you will have free time. In the evening after dinner there is time to relax and the option to watch a movie.
Friday: First there is time for breakfast. After that you will get a lesson on how Dutch traffic works. After this
lesson we will ride our bikes. The students that need a visa will also visit the Immigration and
Naturalization Authorities. After lunch you will follow a workshop that prepares you for a successful exchange period. In the evening we will have dinner and after that a “show” night will be organised to end this great week.
Saturday: Today is a special day: you will meet your host family! They will come to Amsterdam to pick you up. This is the most exciting part of the week, since now your adventure really starts and you will go to your new
Dutch home with your new Dutch family!