Study Abroad Guide

For faculty and students alike, the AID Model can help us think about accommodations prior to beginning travel. AID is an acronym that stands for Anticipate, Inform, and Deliver.
 

Anticipate

Faculty: Examine the itinerary. Ask questions of those involved in each item that may be helpful in proactively identifying potential accessibility challenges such as: What kinds of mobility barriers may exist for students (distance, stairs, chances to take breaks, etc)? Are there facilities such as restrooms available to students? What kind of cognitive demands does each event require?

Students: If a professor has not provided any alternative options or mentioned accommodations related to anything on the itinerary (lectures, tours, excursions, etc), ask these same questions first of yourself and then the faculty leading the program. An RCPD advisor can be helpful in reviewing itineraries and thinking of situations that may come up.
 

• Anticipate. For faculty, this looks like examining the itinerary and asking questions like, “What kind of mental or physical tasks does this item require? Are these tasks that may have barriers for some students? What accommodations can I offer to help students overcome those barriers?” whereas I encourage students to do the same thing. Reach out to the faculty leading your study abroad experience with questions or concerns, and if they don’t give you the answers you need, enlist help from RCPD or another advisor to get them.

Inform

Faculty: Once accommodation and alternatives are determined, let students know that there are alternatives available for the appropriate activities. If the format of an activity is a relatively 1:1 experience compared to MSU (such as a lecture in the classroom), remind students to reach out if they have any concerns about accessibility.

Students: If applicable, confirm that faculty have received and understand your RCPD accommodation letter. Otherwise, communicate early and often with the professors and other faculty should something arise regardless of formal documentation.
 

• Inform. Faculty should pre-emptively Inform all their students that there are accommodations available for assignments, excursions, or any other aspect of the trip. Students can do the same, letting professors know about any official accommodation letter they may have or looping them in to “informal” accessibility issues they’ve encountered in the past in case they are relevant to the education abroad experience.

Deliver

Faculty: Once requested, be sure to provide the accommodations requested and follow up to confirm they are working appropriately. Adjust as necessary. Communicate with the administrators facilitating study abroad accommodations if needed.
Students: Being supported by appropriate accommodations, the student can now deliver in the classroom (or whatever format the education abroad opportunity takes!)

• Deliver. When faculty delivers a solution to a student, they have completed giving AID. As for students, they are able to deliver in class thanks to the accommodation they’ve received.
  By following the AID Model, we can make it so that students of all ability levels, diagnosed and undiagnosed, are able to go on study abroad programs that are thoroughly planned, well explained, and easily adapted to ensure their success.

Good preparation will help immensely once you arrive. It is much easier to get the things and information you need before departure. I highly recommend getting in contact with doctors, program directors, and your fellow classmates as early as possible.

Booking Your Flight

Once you’ve gotten the go-ahead from program directors to book your flight, start researching right away. If you are able to coordinate with your classmates on a flight, this may alleviate some anxiety regarding flying out of the country. Other ADHD and anxiety considerations: Do you want a seat on the aisle so you can get up and walk around? Or do you want a seat away or near the bathroom? You may not be able to pick your seat depending on the flight, but it’s good to consider either way because you may be able to discuss options with a gate agent when you check in.
If you have a concern about your seat, it can’t hurt to ask. The worst thing that happens is people say “no.” Then you’re right where you started anyway. But for someone else on my flight who gets scared in the back, someone switched seats with them. There are solutions available and often you get to them by asking others. Start with RCPD and International SOS since they are literally paid to help, but don’t stop there.
And if you’re in a tiny seat in the middle, there are still things you can do. Mini in-seat foot and leg exercises, compression leggings, getting up to walk, staying hydrated and more will help. Make sure you have any prescribed medication, comfort items, or fidget toys to help with symptoms with you in your personal item. If comfortable, sometimes introducing yourself to your seatmates and admitting you are anxious helps. Plan ahead as much as you can. If you don’t want a layover, Detroit (DTW) is one of the locations that flies directly to Amsterdam every day, but you can also look at airports such as Windsor. Contact Information for DTW’s accessibility department will be provided below so you can reach out if you need any mobility assistance when flying.

Three (or more) Months Before

1. Create a budget for your trip using the Cost Sheet as a guide for expenses
2. Reach out to International SOS about your medical conditions and medications
3. Talk to your doctors about your trip – get medical certificates (see below: A note about prescription medication) and set up prescription refills so you will have all the medication you need for your trip
4. Join or coordinate a group chat with your fellow classmates on this trip – if possible, try to book the same flight together!
5. Inform your program directors of any accommodations you have in place at school; if you do not yet have accommodations, reach out to Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) as soon as possible!*

One Month Before

1. Confirm with International SOS that you have all of the documentation you need for your medications (see below: A note about prescription medication)
2. Confirm with your doctors that your refills will be ready a few days before departure just in case there’s a delay
3. Make a plan with your fellow travelers about meeting at the airport if flying together, or meeting afterward if not*
4. Follow up with RCPD and/or your program directors about what specifically accommodations will look like abroad
5. Request some Euros from your bank. Although almost all vendors in the Netherlands accept cards, you may run into a few that prefer or only accept cash. It may take a few weeks for your bank’s order to get in. You will be able to pull out Euros upon arrival, but this will let you avoid any fees. I got 200 Euros and it helped me with the two vendors I ran into that didn’t accept cards.

• *(Even if you’re used to feeling like you can’t rely on others and being super independent like me, I still recommend traveling with your classmates if possible. Just being able to leave your bags somewhere while you go to the bathroom is a small weight off. Don’t worry about first impressions; everyone’s going to be exhausted.)

One Week Before

1. Put in a photocopy of your medical certificate with your medications if necessary (see below: A note about prescription medication)
2. Acquire any refills you need and ensure all prescriptions are in their original bottles
3. Contact the airport about any accessibility concerns – wheelchair service is available, even if you don’t always use a chair
4. Pack any medical devices in their own bag since you won’t be charged for carrying on medically necessary items

A note about prescription medication:
As of 2024, some medication that may be prescribed in the United States may be restricted or illegal in the Netherlands. Checking the official website of the Netherlands government – government.nl – will give you the most up-to-date information on these specifics.
As someone who takes a stimulant medication for my ADHD (Vyvanse) and a benzodiazepine medication for anxiety (Ativan), I had to have a physician fill out a medical certificate enabling me to travel with these medications.
This whole process can be a bit confusing. The thing I found most helpful when trying to figure this all out was talking with International SOS since they have individuals in Europe with greater familiarity with these laws. To get started on research on whether or not your medication is restricted, be sure to refer to https://www.government.nl/topics/medicines/question-and-answer/can-i-take-my-medication-abroad

Air Conditioning Accommodation: Personal Experience & Recommendations

If you have a medical exception for an air conditioner at school, I have terrible news for you: Europe doesn’t believe in air conditioning. At least not for student housing, anyway. Unfortunately, the way things worked out, I didn’t have a fan in my room when I arrived. Thanks to different medical conditions and the medications I take to treat them, I am extremely heat sensitive. In my jet-lagged, sleep-deprived state, I decided to order a fan from the Netherland’s Amazon. I paid way too much for a way too small fan. I regret the way this worked out, and if I was to do it all over again, I would do this differently. So, for anyone whose accommodations include a fan while they are here:

1. Let your program directors know this as early as you can, months before arrival if possible
2. Remind them once you get closer – first maybe a week before your arrival, then if they are arriving before you, try to remind them after they’ve had 24 hours on site to settle in
3. If they have not acquired the fan prior to your arrival, ask them to please take care of it. It was mentioned that maybe it’d be faster if I got one myself and in my desire to not be a bother (and also thinking sooner = better), I agreed. Your program directors will likely know more about your destination location, what stores to look in, and what prices are reasonable, so it’s better to just leave it up to them. Don’t be afraid to communicate your needs. Otherwise, you risk buying a foot-tall baby fan for 50 euros.

Packing

In addition to the standard stuff that everyone should bring, there are a few more items you may want to consider such as:

• Mobility aids & orthotics
• Therapeutic tools (self-massagers, resistance bands for physical therapy, hot or cold therapy packs, etc.)
• Other medical tools (CPAP, blood pressure monitor, etc.)
• Medicine that may not be available in Amsterdam
• Prescription medication in its original container
• Comfort items to address anxiety, help you rest in a strange place, or combat overstimulation (eye mask, ear plugs/ear buds, mask, etc)
• Fidget toys and other distraction tools to combat anxiety

Checklist for the Day of Travelling

• Bags are packed
• Prescriptions are refilled and in their original bottles
• Transportation to the airport is arranged*
• Mobility assistance has been requested at the airport as needed (see Contact Information section below for DTW and Arrival Airport)
• Bag(s) are checked and boarding pass received
• Security Checkpoint
• Arrival at the Gate (hopefully you meet your classmates here!)
• Flying to Amsterdam
• Arrival at the Amsterdam Airport

If you are traveling from East Lansing to Detroit for your flight, consider looking into the Michigan Flyer bus. Website and further information will be included in the Contact Information section.

Upon Arrival

• Retrieve bags
• Use public transit to get to your school housing*

(Amsterdam Specific) We purchased tickets from Schiphol (Amsterdam’s airport) to our destination via a terminal inside the airport. However, as of July 2024, this isn’t actually necessary. While you may purchase a train ticket, you can also simply “tap in” and “tap out” of public transportation in Amsterdam using a debit or credit card, including your initial train from the airport. Please see “Getting Around” for a clearer guide on how to do this. Your program will also outline various options for getting to housing from the airport.

Room numbers work differently here. If you’re acclimated to a number starting with 1 meaning 1st floor, and a number starting with 2 meaning 2nd floor, and so on, then you may be surprised when you get a room number that starts with a 2 for example. While I can’t speak to every location, in our instance, the room number was also the street address. The entire building’s numbers started with 2 – leading us to think prior to our arrival that everyone was on the second floor – but it worked differently. So don’t be alarmed if your ground floor room starts with a different number than one. And while on that note, remember that in most of Europe it actually goes “ground floor, first floor, second floor, so on” rather than starting with first floor.

Be cautious with elevator weight limits. Like my introductory story shows, the lifts in Europe aren’t quite as up-to-date as American elevators. This same elevator got stuck at least two other times in the month we stayed there. If you can wait to take an empty lift with your bag, that would likely be the safest plan.

Doors may not have accessibility options. In the case of our student housing, we had to use our phone to unlock the doors for the hallway and room, and then hold open some of the doors as they were weighted to automatically swung shut behind us. There were no buttons to hold open the door so either figuring out how to prop it or asking for help holding it open may be necessary.
 

Most rooms are not wheelchair accessible. The bathroom, for example, is much too small for a wheelchair and does not feature grab bars. Of course, be sure to get in contact with whoever is in charge of housing to ensure you receive a room with the appropriate accessibility features. While you should keep RCPD, MSU, and UvA looped in, it may be easier to contact the housing company directly. In our case, Lieven de Key, would have been the direct contact point. Their information will be provided below in the Contact Information section.
 

The RA may or may not be a useful point of contact for you. Ours wasn’t really available but we heard stories of RAs that came before her who were much more present and helpful. At minimum, however, they should provide an email and you don’t know how helpful they will be until you ask.
One of the things I struggled with the most was the lack of air conditioning. Strategies to beat the heat during a summer study abroad experience include bringing ice packs that you rotate out to help cool your core, stocking up on cold drinks and popsicles, taking cool showers or even using a cool rag, getting a fan, and even a personal, battery-powered handheld fan.
Depending on your specific student housing situation, you may find that you do not have everything you need. For us, we were given linens for the bed but no towels, no kitchen supplies, no hand soap, or dish soap. Some rooms had items left behind by previous tenants and we either borrowed from our classmates as we needed or purchased a few necessities as they came up. Don’t be afraid to ask your community – this is where a group chat with everyone in the program really comes in handy.

Do your best to communicate with others, follow the rules put forth by the housing service, and see what creative solutions you can come up with when you don’t have the things you need. For me, as a neurodivergent person, I am used to coming up with “unusual” fixes to problems and realized that my cheese grater works quite well as a mixing spoon.

Set up your room for success. For most people with ADHD, their homes are full of systems they’ve set up either consciously or unconsciously. Having a routine that helps you remember where you place your phone, keys, wallet, tram card, and bag will hopefully cut down on losing items. Hanging reusable bags by the door so you hopefully remember to grab them on your way out to go shopping can help. Don’t be afraid to settle in and make the space your own for the time you are there.

While Amsterdam is a highly walkable and bikeable city, these options are not always accessible for everyone. Fortunately, Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general has a robust public transit system including trams, trains, busses, and ferries.

General Public Transit Information

• Most trips between the housing we had near the Anne Frank Huis and where we were studying at the University of Amsterdam seemed to cost between €3 and €3.50 one-way. If you need to use public transit to get around, RCPD or the Office for Education Abroad may reimburse you. Be sure to communicate with your advisor.
• You will likely receive a travel card, called an OV-clipkaart, when you arrive. It is not necessary, but it may be easier for RPCD to refill. Once you receive a travel card, you should be able to check the remaining balance here: https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en
• You can plan routes ahead of time on Google Maps and the NS.NL website/app. Much like CATA, NS.NL will alert you to any route notices that Google Maps may not note. However, Google Maps was 100% accurate while we were there): https://www.ns.nl/en
• If you lose your OV-chipkaart card, you can pay with a debit card or credit card (including using your phone to tap to pay). Just be mindful of foreign transaction fees on cards!
• If you forget to tap out, you can tap out at any Tap In / Tap Out location within six hours. Otherwise, you can also go on the OV website and fix it here: https://zelfregelen.ovpay.nl/reisoverzicht?_sitekick=1699627810 

Accessing the Tram & Trains

The tram follows tracks like a train; however, it is unique in that it has a line overhead powering it with electricity. Much like a train or subway, it has several cars that are connected to one another.
Tram stops are located quite frequently in Amsterdam. Different routes have different numbers, but you will need to make note of which direction you need to travel as they are not notated differently. The easiest way to do this, other than looking at the order of the stops, is to check Google Maps and point your phone in the direction you want to go. Once you do this, you should situate yourself on the platform to the right of the tram you wish to board.

Some of the doors are labeled specifically for entry and exit. You will be able to distinguish them by the images on the doors. Do not go in an exit door if you can avoid it as it may trap you in between the door and the gate!

If you use mobility aids, you may want to enter (at the time of writing) the second last door to the back where a tram staff member is situated. They can assist you with boarding if the gap between the tram stop and tram itself is too wide or there are any other issues. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be very proactive in seeing if anyone needs help so you may have to get their attention first.

When you enter, you will tap your OV-chipkaart, or debit or credit card, against the terminal next to the door. It should beep and have a message pop up that says in Dutch you are checked in.

On the tram, there are seats and locations specifically designated for wheelchair and other disabled patrons. You can note these locations by the red design on the cushions whereas other seats have a plain blue design. Do not be afraid to ask for a spot or seat if necessary – Dutch culture is very direct!

Additionally, there is a screen above the seats that will show the stops that are coming up. Make sure to memorize your exit and keep an eye on the screen as well as listen for the announcements of each stop as you ride.

When you exit, you will again tap your OV-chipkaart or other card against the terminal next to the door. It should beep again and have a message pop up that says in Dutch you are checked out as well as the cost of the ride.

Navigating the Streets

The roads in Amsterdam are a bit different than the ones at home. First of all, most everything is brick. Sidewalks are generally sloped at the end making them accessible to wheelchair users. However, there are moments where the sidewalk is either extremely crowded, taken up by tables for restaurants, or otherwise not accessible for wheelchair users. In these instances, staying as close to the sidewalk as possible is your best bet. Fortunately, on most roads, cars do not drive very fast and due to the strict laws on drivers regarding hitting pedestrians or bikers, they tend to drive much slower and more carefully than drivers in the United States. Bikers, on the other hand, will often ride very fast and do not often stop for other traffic. Always be sure to double check for bikers whenever crossing or entering the roadway.

Larger streets will have sidewalks on the edge for pedestrians, a paved bike lane, possibly a platform to wait for the tram on, two tram lanes going opposite directions, another tram platform, another bike lane, and another sidewalk on the other side. Illuminated walk signs for pedestrians seem to be present at all large intersections.

Globalization has made it so finding things you’re used to eating is easier than ever before. Especially with many restaurants and grocery stores noting major allergens on their packaging. Familiarizing yourself with the Dutch words for any allergens you may have will help expedite this process, however, you can always use Google Lens to translate a package, search words, or ask either a grocery clerk or waitstaff to clarify ingredients.

Albert Hejin and Jumbo were the two grocery store chains most commonly used by students on my trip. We had locations within a quarter mile of us that we were able to get to relatively easily. The stores may be a little crowded at times, but they are wide enough for those with mobility aids to get around. Be sure to bring bags or purchase them there as single-use bags are not often used in the Netherlands, certainly never at grocery stores.

The tap water in Amsterdam is incredibly well-rated and can be drank safely by American travelers without issue. When dining out, you may be able to request tap water but at some locations you are required to purchase what is called “still water”. They are priced similarly to American bottles of water, though sometimes a bit more depending on the location.

Accommodations in the classroom when studying abroad may look a little different than they would back in the United States. With guest speakers and excursions, the ability to take notes is challenged. The best strategy to make sure you’re able to meet your learning objectives is to coordinate with your RCPD advisor, the education abroad liaison who is responsible for communication between RCPD and the education abroad program, and your program directors.

The earlier you can set these expectations, the better. But as mentioned above in Preparing for Departure, you can always make adjustments after arriving.

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a very accessible campus with wide hallways, multiple well-maintained elevators (including a seat in some of them), and doors that can be opened with a button.

The classroom in which we spent most of our time was a bit tight but could be arranged in a way that would allow more space for students as necessary.

The cafeteria we went to, Agora, had a selection of various meals for all different dietary preferences including Indian cuisine, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and more. It does have about ten steps to walk up to it as well as a lift for wheelchair users.

Excursions were by far the most difficult thing to adjust to during my education abroad experience. Due to the many different variables that they can include, getting as much information beforehand is incredibly helpful. There are some limitations on what specifics the program directors can receive, however, communicating what you need in order to make an excursion accessible will generally help you receive more tailored responses. While every education abroad program is different, even from year to year in the same program, here are some examples of excursions I encountered and accessibility information I either requested or recovered.

Walking Tours
 

As someone with a foot injury that needs to restrict steps to reduce the amount of inflammation occurring, walking tours were by far the most challenging for me. Unfortunately, I had not adequately expressed my limitations (nor was I quite as aware of them as I was on the first walking tour), but I managed to make it through. After this experience, I knew the questions I needed to ask:
 

• How far will we be walking (total distance, not time – an “hour” means something different to different people)
• Will there be places for me to sit down along the way
• If I am unable to walk that distance, what is an alternative experience I can do instead, or
• Am I able to walk part of the distance and meet the class somewhere if I can’t do the whole thing

After communicating with my program directors, I was able to get the exact route that was planned for our next walking tour so I could accurately gauge whether I would be able to complete it or not.
For individuals who may struggle with auditory processing – particularly in the overstimulating environment that is a walking tour – using your phone to make quick notes of keywords the tour guide shares may help. Get their contact information afterward if possible so you can follow up with any questions about locations that you may have missed while walking.

Boat Tours

The boat tour that we went on was on a small watercraft that did not appear to have a device for wheelchair users to board such as a lift. It had a few steep, narrow steps down into the boat. The restroom on board was not equipped with any accessibility features either. Early communication with program directors may make it possible to secure a boat for tours that are fully accessible.
Much like with walking tours, the environment may be a bit overstimulating and listening well can be hard. However, using a small notebook or your phone to take key notes can help you retain information and recall it later.

Museums

In general, museums are more accessible than most spaces in Europe. They are air conditioned, feature well-functioning lifts, and have seating areas scattered throughout. Some museums in the Netherlands even have “portable seats” – basically, a small folding chair without a back that you can carry with you and set up if you need to sit for a bit. All restrooms that I encountered at museums featured accessible stalls.

Archives

We went to two archives during our time in Amsterdam, one in a library and one in its own independent building.
The International Gay/Lesbian Information Center and Archive (IHLIA) was in the central library of Amsterdam, Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) Oosterdok. The OBA is a fully-accessible building with six floors to explore. There are some spots that have special lifts for wheelchair users that you may need to request help with such as the first few steps into the main library as well as the café on the first floor.

The Black Archives in Amsterdam was situated at a secondary location due to renovation on their primary location when my class visited. While the archive itself was accessible, its bathroom did not feature grab bars or other accessibility features.

Voku

One of the most unique experiences of our education abroad program was hosting a vegan dinner at an autonomous center. This dinner, meant to be prepared very inexpensively, is called a “voku” which is a shortening of the word volxkuche which is from the German expression “people’s kitchen”. The idea is to charge a very small fee to only cover costs (in some places, the meal is free), and for our program we donated all the profits to a local charity.

The students were in charge of selecting a menu, designating roles, bartending, and cleaning for the event. Other roles included shopping for supplies, making fliers, making a playlist, and serving (which entailed plating and calling numbers as people came to fetch their food). Roles were organized and designated by students.

As someone who has a hard time with being on my feet for a long period of time, I was concerned about how I could help in the kitchen. However, I was moved by a classmate asking if I’d like to sit at a table to cut vegetables for prep. It was a great example of them understanding the limitations I had expressed to them and them proactively coming up with a solution that would work for me.

Much like every other bit about accessibility in this pamphlet, communication is key. Just because you’re disabled doesn’t mean you can’t be included and contribute.

I had considered writing this guide without including a nightlife section, but it wouldn’t be quite a full trip experience without it! While I enjoyed many of the after-hours excursions I went on, there were multiple issues encountered that would have not made it accessible to all. Obviously, this section will not, and cannot, be a complete guide on what to do outside of class hours but it should hopefully serve as a jumping off point for things to think about when planning to go out. For all late-night adventures, make sure you’re in communication with your classmates and try to travel with at least one other person. Many students on our trip utilized Life360 which shares your location with your group at all times for safety.

Bars

There are plenty of bars in Amsterdam. They are pretty similar to bars in America in that they are generally crowded and loud. Using the same considerations one would back home will likely serve you well while abroad.

Clubs

The accessibility of clubs was very hit or miss. Ear plugs should be mandatory for all; aside from helping with overstimulation, they will protect your hearing. I would highly recommend checking ahead of time about steps and lifts.

Other

For any other recreational activities, researching ahead of time and contacting locations will always help ensure a good time. Many places in Amsterdam have outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. Hours online may not be entirely accurate – we encountered many places that closed before Google said they should.

International SOS
Email: globalsafety@msu.edu  
Phone: +1-517-884-2174 
Website: globalsafety.msu.edu
 

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)
Email Form:https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/form/contact  
Phone: (517) 884-RCPD (4-7273) 
Website: https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/

Office for Education Abroad
Email: abroad@msu.edu
Phone: (517) 353-8920
Website: https://educationabroad.isp.msu.edu/

Michigan Flyer
Email: info@michiganflyer.com
Phone: (517) 333-0400
Website: https://www.michiganflyer.com/

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Email for Accessibility Questions: accessibility@wcaa.us 
Phone: (734) 247-7678 
Website: https://www.metroairport.com/

KLM Airline (Amsterdam)
Email for Accessibility Questions: klmcares@klm.com
Phone: (833) 855-0814
Website: https://www.klm.com/

Student Universe
Email: assist@studentuniverse.com
Phone: (888) 794-1296
Website: https://www.studentuniverse.com/

NS.NL
Contact Form available on their website
Phone: +31 30 751 51 55
Website: https://www.ns.nl/en

University of Amsterdam
Email: info@uva.nl
Phone: +31 (0)20 - 525 5375
Website: https://www.uva.nl/en

Lieven de Key
Email: info@lievendekey.nl
Phone: +31 (020) 621 43 33
Website: https://lievendekey.guestinfo.com/en-gb