Frank Gonzalez
Host Institution: Universiteit van Amsterdam -- Netherlands
Home Institution: Texas A&M International University
Period: All Year 2007-2008
| When I left for Amsterdam I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had heard some stories and looked up things online about the city and the country of Holland, but how can someone really begin to grasp what a country or city is like when you’ve never been there. Before I even left for Holland I liked some things about the place immediately. For example, I was amazed that I could study in English in a foreign country and I was thrilled that I would be living and working towards my bachelor’s degree in one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities in all of Europe. |  |
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The journey to Amsterdam took me most of the day, flying out from my small corner of Texas to the great city of Amsterdam took longer than I expected and I landed with more than a little jet lag. However, once I stepped off the plane and took the train to Central Station, I immediately knew I was in one of the most amazing place I had ever been in my life. This was my first time in Europe and I had never been so far away from home. |
| I can’t express in words how beautiful the canals or “grachten” of Amsterdam really are. They really give the city its character and look even more amazing at night. You come across the stereotypes of Amsterdam quite quickly, like the red light district the liberal atmosphere of the coffee shops. But the international students became residents of Amsterdam, and once you live there you see how the city has so much more to offer than just tourist trappings. |  |
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Riding your bicycle around and getting lost is one of the most amazing things you can do during your first days in the city. Learning the layout of the gorgeous canals and city buildings which are sometimes hundreds of years old is truly an experience in itself. It’s like the city knows it’s a work of art and it’s not afraid to flaunt its beauty. The cobblestone streets never disappoint, and when you’re in the city centre you are never more than a few minutes walk from some incredible structure like the Royal Palace or the home of the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt and his son Titus. |
| Living in a foreign country is something I’d say everyone should try, and studying abroad is a great way to do this for a short time. Holland is truly special to me now because of the friends I’ve made that weren’t just Dutch but from all over the world. Amsterdam was an amazing place to study because of the history and dynamic atmosphere the city gave to the Universiteit van Amsterdam. The city never seemed to be dull, something new or significant was always occurring. |  |
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The Universiteit van Amsterdam had no campus. University buildings were located all over the city of Amsterdam. This meant that most students rode their bicycles, which is most popular form of transportation in Holland, to and from classes and social gatherings. It was really a life changing experience in so many ways. I’ll miss the city of Amsterdam and the Universiteit van Amsterdam and I would return in a heartbeat. I’d tell any student considering studying in Amsterdam to jump at the chance to go, they wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity for anything in the world. |
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Universiteit van Amsterdam |
Spring 2005 |
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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam |
Fall 2004 |
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Utrecht University |
Fall 2005 |
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Maastricht University |
Fall 2005 |
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Universiteit van Amsterdam |
Spring 2007 |
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Spring 2004 |
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VU University Amsterdam |
Spring 2004 |
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VU University Amsterdam |
Spring 2003 |
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Tilburg University |
Fall 2001 |
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Tilburg University |
All Year 2000-2001 |
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Tilburg University |
All Year 2000-2001 |
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Universiteit van Amsterdam |
Spring 2008 |
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