Amsterdam has been very good to me. This is the third week I am spending in the city and I could not have asked for a better time. I am an international student studying at the UvA. I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and I have a junior status at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. If you want a change of pace from the slightly monotonous college life(especially the college life of Champaign), then Amsterdam is the place for you. This city has something for everyone.

When I first chose the program many thought that it was because of Amsterdam's drug policy. If you think that it would be cool to study abroad here just for the drugs, then maybe you should rethink your choice. Yes you can smoke pot here. No, it should not be the sole reason you come here. If that is all you want to do there is a good chance you may miss many of the wonderful things this city has to offer. On the other hand, if you hate pot, then you may want to rethink coming here as well. I would say that many people in international programs will smoke while here, so just be aware of that. There is definately a smoking culture in Amsterdam, but from what I can tell, it is mostly that of tourists and international students, getting stoned.

Amsterdam has so many sights and attractions, yet it is small enough so as not to be overwhelming. Everyone speaks english here so getting around and asking questions is not a problem. Transportation is easy and affordable. Food is cheap and tasty if you go to the right places.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, go to Febo for cheap food. Okay, maybe you can go once to Febo, just to try it, but really I would stay away from that place. All the food is in tiny vending-machine slots. This means that you go up to a very large vending machine and receive your lunch from it, gross. If you want a light a quick lunch, just go to Albert Hein To-Go and get something freshly made for very cheap. You can then take your food to any park (Vondel Park seems to be most peoples favorite) and sit outside and eat. The city in September is prefect weather. It still isn't cold enough or rainy enough to stay indoors or even take the bus/tram places.

Get a bike. If you are going to be an international student here, biking is the easiest and most affordable way to get around. I am someone who has not ridden a bike since the 4th grade and even I am very much enjoying the biking here in Amsterdam. Figuring out the routes and places you can/can't ride bikes is a little confusing, but I am getting the hang of it one day at a time.

Join in on the International Student Network's (ISN) gatherings. The ISN hosts weekly events for international students, which is awesome because in Amsterdam you meet people from all over Europe and the UK. I now know people from Holland, England, France and Germany. It is so wonderful for an American student and easy as well because everyone speaks english. I'm trying hard to broaden my horizons here in Amsterdam and the ISN makes it easy for me to do that.

Right now I have to get work done for some of my classes, so I will have to blog later on.

-Bess Van Asselt