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Studying abroad through Central was great. There was so much help available at all times: from the online checklist at the beginning, through all the pre-flight e-mail questions and answers, and all the daily life questions for the resident staff. There was never a time I was left feeling helpless.
– Julie Haaijema
Castleton College

academic program/courses

The Central College Abroad program in Leiden includes:

Just like their home institutions, students can choose the right combination of courses to complete their academic schedule. Students normally enroll in 12-17 semester hours, including optional internship or service-learning credits. Most courses carry three or four semester hour credits.

The intensive Dutch course is counted as summer or January credit and may transfer as either a letter grade or pass/no record, on request of the student, prior to the beginning of the course.

Required courses

These required courses are the foundation on which your academic program is built, providing the language, cultural and historical context for a broader understanding of your overall experience.

The Netherlands and its European Context
This course, facilitated by the resident director, introduces students to Dutch culture and society including geography, human intervention and natural environment, the economy, society, education, recent history and international relations. Includes excursions to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Belgium.

Elementary Dutch Language
Intensive Dutch language course required during the two-week orientation period for all beginning language students. The focus of the course is the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on speaking and oral comprehension. Students develop basic Dutch language skills for communication in everyday situations. Students have the option of continuing this course throughout the semester for a more intensive language experience.

Central College Abroad courses

Central College Abroad elective courses are taught at the Central College Abroad center and range in areas from history to art. Leiden is an art and cultural center, making courses in the arts very appealing to students on this program. Central College Abroad’s electives in drawing, art and architecture, and photography are popular choices each semester. These courses are taught in English by local professors who are practicing artists and great options for those without any art-related experience as well as art majors.

Course offerings include:

  • Elementary Dutch II
  • Jip and Janneke
  • Intermediate Dutch I and II
  • Advanced Dutch I & II
  • Drawing in Leiden
  • Dutch Art and Architecture
  • Globalization: Theory and Practice
  • Graphic Design in the Netherlands
  • The Art of Photography
  • History of the Low Countries
  • Modern European History

Please see course catalog for credits and course descriptions.

Affiliate university electives

Students have a very unique immersion opportunity, with the ability to enroll in up to two courses alongside Dutch and international students at local universities. Choose from Webster University or Leiden University. Please see our affiliate universities information to find out which university would best fit you.

Internship and Service-learning

On Central’s study abroad programs, learning begins in the classroom, but continues in many different settings outside the traditional educational environment — offering you a more in-depth cross-cultural experience. Students can choose from either an internship or a service-learning option, both for academic credit. Central College Abroad programs offer these experiences as a way to more fully immerse yourself in the culture. Please see our section on internships and service-learning to discover your hands-on options.