Dates
May 27 - June 24, 2027Subjects
Graphic Design, Public Health, Health Education, Curatorial Studies, PsychologyDeadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
The Netherlands are a group of provinces located in north-western Europe. The region is below sea-level and is best known for its many canals, picturesque windmills, colorful flower fields, and an abundance of art, culture, and history. It is equally renowned for its cutting-edge transportation network, urban design and merchandising, and the associated areas of place branding, sustainability, commercial and social responsibility, public health, education, the International Criminal Court, and a global multicultural hotspot. Open to all majors, the KIIS Netherlands 4-week program will be based in the cities of Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
Program Director
Photo Gallery
-
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
Courses
All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1-2 courses.
The Netherlands will serve as our classroom as we investigate how museums, galleries, public art, architecture, neighborhoods, and everyday places communicate culture and meaning. Through Place-as-Text explorations, discussions, readings, and reflective assignments, students will develop skills to closely observe and critically interpret the spaces they encounter, and to examine how choices about selection, placement, interpretation, and context shape visitors' experiences and influence meaning.
This course examines physical activity, nutrition, and stress management. Students track behaviors, set SMART goals, and reflect on progress while immersed in Dutch food culture, bike-friendly design, and green space. Experiential learning highlights how the environment influences health, mental well-being, and social connectedness. Designed for students from any discipline.
This course explores health through an ecological perspective, examining how social norms, infrastructure, and policy influence behavior. In the Netherlands, students conduct walk audits and analyze bike-friendly design, public transit, and national health initiatives. The country’s walkability and active transportation culture provide a hands-on setting to understand how the built environment shapes population health. Designed for students from any discipline.
We spend 90% of our lives indoors yet underestimate the role of the built environment in shaping thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This course will introduce students to biophilic design, the incorporation of natural elements like sunlight and plants into the built environment. Students will learn how building design affects mental health and well-being. Touring innovative structures, students will gain an appreciation for how biophilic design can affect health and enhance sustainability.
The Dutch are among the happiest people in the world. This course will introduce students to the science of quality of life, including variables associated with worldwide differences in happiness. Students will gain an appreciation for the role of physical health, social relationships, and generosity as predictors of well-being. We will pay special attention to how natural environments affect well-being through exploration and learn how cultural values promote thriving.
Graphic Design and visual communication permeate travel and make it approachable. From wayfinding on transit to culturally relevant advertisements to menus and beyond. Students in Traveling by Design will take inspiration from their adventures and encounters abroad to create icons and posters that communicate broadly to audiences about visited sites and assist in the travel experiences of others. Instruction will be given through demonstrations, lectures, discussions, and critiques.
Zines are lo-fi methods of collecting and disseminating information. Students in this course will be seeking details, lost stories, and forgotten objects. We will investigate sequence and narrative through zines or artist books. An added emphasis will be placed on found objects as inspiration and a catalyst for sustainable creative practice. Instruction will be given through demonstrations, lectures, discussions, and critiques. No art background is required.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
-
Rotterdam Cube Housing
-
Amsterdam Noord
-
Utrecht
-
The Hague
-
Rotterdam RDM
Group Flight
ESTIMATED COST $1,900 – $2,000
The Netherlands program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Amsterdam with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a roundtrip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.
If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your own roundtrip airfare.
The flight to Amsterdam is overnight arriving the following morning. On the return, the flight from Amsterdam to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.
Student Voices
Share your story-
"Studying in the Netherlands was an incredible opportunity to explore sustainability and planning from a global perspective. It was amazing to study in three cities (Den Haag, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam) during the one month program, and I made lifelong friendships along the way!" -Chloe Barnes
-
"An unforgettable educational experience where you learn who you could be, and that knowledge is boundless." -Christina Gill
-
"My trip to the Netherlands allowed me to indulge in unique architecture, remarkable art, and timeless fashion. It was truly an unforgettable experience." - Mckenzie Gadberry