leiden photo
Central College Abroad in Leiden was the most rewarding experience I had all around. I would do it again in a second!
– Jess Krohn
Central College

orientation/excursions

Each Central program offers an in-depth orientation that will acclimate students to the country's language and culture as they get a feel for their new environment.

Leiden orientation
Get to know your surroundings by beginning your semester abroad with a full orientation led by your resident director. Students will spend the first two-and-one-half weeks studying intensive Dutch language, acquiring a basic conversational level by the end of orientation. More advanced levels are available to students with previous knowledge of Dutch. During this time, students will meet with the resident director for final course selection and academic advising. Orientation also includes, among other activities, a tour of Leiden and a trip to Amsterdam.

Cultural excursions
One of the highlights of studying through Central College Abroad in Leiden is the number of cultural activities and excursions that are included as part of your program fee. Many of these excursions, facilitated by the resident director, link directly with your course work in the Netherlands and continue throughout the semester. Recent excursions that connected students to Dutch culture included:

  • Amsterdam
  • Rotterdam
  • The Hague
  • Apeldoorn and the palace of Het Loo, as well as the Park Hoge Veluwe, a nature reserve with art museum (Museum Kröller-Müller)
  • a three-day trip to Belgium with two days in Brussels and one day in Brugge

Optional trips are frequently offered, including a popular canoe tour through Leiden’s canals and a three-day trip to the Dutch island of Texel. Outside of regular program excursions, many students choose to explore on their own, either over the weekend or during a semester break. Public transportation in the Netherlands is excellent, and as a student in the Leiden program, you’ll receive a discount card (a fantastic value!) for train travel in the Netherlands. In the past, students have taken advantage of the central location of the Netherlands, visiting countries such as Germany, France, England and Spain via train or a short plane ride.