Updated Information:
Click here to read an EXTREMELY important and useful message from the Utrecht International Relations Office!
Sharon DiFino's Homepage
Program Director
Dr. Sharon Difino
difino@prodigy.net
difino@ufl.edu
Cell Phone: 06-25-302-328
Curriculum
For the first two weeks of the program, you and the other UF students will attend a "European Society and Culture" class given by a Dutch professor. You'll hear lectures on many topics including information about the European Union. You'll also have guest speakers from various European countries.
At the end of the first two weeks, you'll be joined by about 75 students from universities all over Europe. Together, you'll attend "Dutch Society and Culture" class for the next four weeks. In the afternoons, you have a choice of a discussion seminar class. On Fridays, your professors will take you on field trips all over Holland.
Your biggest organized field trip during the summer will be a two-night excursion to Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium. There, you will visit many museums and government buildings. All field trips are included in the program fee.
The Answer to a Frequently Asked Question
Before leaving, you will get to decide which UF classes (out of 5 options) you would like the class you take in Utrecht to count for at UF. For example: I needed to fulfill those 6 "I" credits that UF requires for gen. ed. so I registered for two 3-credit classes. This has no effect on the class you take in Utrecht- YOU DECIDE (from 5 options) what you want your Utrecht class to count for at UF.
If you still do not understand how the classes and credits for this program work- please ask at a meeting!!!! We understand that it sounds a little complicated but we promise it works out great in the end!
The 5 Options (UF Classes that you can get credit for):
- CPO 4000 European Politics (S, I)
- ARH 2051 Art History II (H, I)
- EUH 2002 European History II (H,I)
- GEA 3500 European Geography (S, I)
- SYG 4956 Overseas Studies in Sociology
(inquire with Dr. DiFino for more information, some options may change)
A Sample of Dutch Society & Culture Class Syllabus
Sample Lecture Topics
- Towards a Multi-Cultural Society? The Dutch Approach to Migrants and Migration
- Dutch Parliament in Session - a Simulation
- The Netherlands in International Perspective
- Two Dutch Painters Introduced : Van Gogh and Mondriaan
Other Class Activities
- Guided Walking Tour through the City Centre
- excursions to Den Haag, Palace t'Loo, De Hoge Veluwe National Park, and many more
- Dutch movie in a local theatre
Academic Expectations
The class you will be taking in Utrecht is not an "easy A" class. You ARE expected to attend lectures every day and to participate fully. You are also expected to read all assignments and handouts to complement what you are learning in class. You will only get out of this experience what you put in and if you consider how fortunate you are to be studying abroad you really should be excited about giving your all.
