Maybe I'm writing this a bit too late, but anyway:

 

My grammar school is organising a student exchange trip to Amsterdam. We are going there in two days and will be staying there for a week. Then in May, they are coming to Croatia and stay here for a week too.

Actually, I'm staying in Monnickendam, a town 15 km northern from Amsterdam.

 

I'm really excited about this, but also worried a little cause I'm staying at a family. :\

 

Now I'm wondering, has anybody ever had similar experiences? Any tips/advices?

What should I take with myself?

People from Amsterdam area, which places should I visit?

 

And oh yeah, we're going there by bus, so that means an approximately 20 hours long ride! :uhoh:

 

P.S. I'm only 15. :P

hi ! I have making a trip with school in Germany during two week ! I have sleeping in the familly of my correspondant ! They have been very nice with me. But I am very shy and I have not speaking a lot with her! When she was in my familly it was more easy because I have sisters and brothers and we can make play to different games ! : )

It was in 2006 I was 15 and I had only one year of German. Very difficult for speak with her and his familly. But it was a really cool experience! :awesome:

Good trip!

For things to do in Amsterdam, check this website. Have fun!

you're only there for a week? wow

i'm going to denmark for a year

We used to have an exchange like you as well! By bus to Germany and then staying there for a week. And they came to us and then we also visited Amsterdam.

 

I think you can have a good laugh strolling around in the Red Light District.

From there it's easy to get to Dam square where the shopping street starts and from there you can walk to the West to the 9 straatjes (= 9 little streets) where there are little shops specialized in one specific thing, such as a whole shop devoted to toothbrushes. These typical canal streets are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you are there, you are also at the Prinsengracht where you can find the Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht 263. Heavy stuff about a 15 year old Jewish girl who had to hide from the Nazi’s but died age 15 anyway in a concentration camp. She kept a vivid diary through which many can relate now how it much have been like. Very impressive.

 

Back then we visited the Rijksmuseum and had a canal tour. I think the Rijksmuseum took too long and wasn't appropriate for 15 year olds (I was that age back then). The canal tour was nice, but with the cold now I don't know about that.

 

Have a great time!

ya better came to Belgium :snobby:

i'm going to canada for exchange for a month soon, and people who have gone tell me it's great, so don't worry, just relax and have fun!

Amsterdam is a fine city. Just walking the 7 streets was enough for me :nice:

hi ! I have making a trip with school in Germany during two week ! I have sleeping in the familly of my correspondant ! They have been very nice with me. But I am very shy and I have not speaking a lot with her! When she was in my familly it was more easy because I have sisters and brothers and we can make play to different games ! : )

It was in 2006 I was 15 and I had only one year of German. Very difficult for speak with her and his familly. But it was a really cool experience! :awesome:

Good trip!

 

Thanks :nice:

Yeah I'm also shy sometimes, especially when it comes to people I don't know. But I guess it'll be fine. :)

 

this[/url] website. Have fun!

 

Thanks :nice: Ooh there are some good events round the town. Hope to catch some time. :)

 

you're only there for a week? wow

i'm going to denmark for a year

 

Yep.

Lucky you :P

 

No wonder, you're from NZ and it's a lot further than Croatia.

 

Have a good time when you go. ;)

 

We used to have an exchange like you as well! By bus to Germany and then staying there for a week. And they came to us and then we also visited Amsterdam.

 

I think you can have a good laugh strolling around in the Red Light District.

From there it's easy to get to Dam square where the shopping street starts and from there you can walk to the West to the 9 straatjes (= 9 little streets) where there are little shops specialized in one specific thing, such as a whole shop devoted to toothbrushes. These typical canal streets are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you are there, you are also at the Prinsengracht where you can find the Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht 263. Heavy stuff about a 15 year old Jewish girl who had to hide from the Nazi’s but died age 15 anyway in a concentration camp. She kept a vivid diary through which many can relate now how it much have been like. Very impressive.

 

Back then we visited the Rijksmuseum and had a canal tour. I think the Rijksmuseum took too long and wasn't appropriate for 15 year olds (I was that age back then). The canal tour was nice, but with the cold now I don't know about that.

 

Have a great time!

 

Thanks, I'm almost sure I will! :nice:

I should definetely take a walk round the 9 streets and the Red Light District and visit Anne Frank's house. Amsterdam looks like a really interesting place. :wacky:

 

About the weather, looks like it will mostly be rainy. Sucks. But I'll still try to discover as much of the city as I can. :wacky:

 

ya better came to Belgium :snobby:[/color]

 

Totally. :nod:

 

i'm going to canada for exchange for a month soon, and people who have gone tell me it's great, so don't worry, just relax and have fun!

 

Thanks, I hope I will! :nice:

And you, have a great time too! ;)

 

Amsterdam is a fine city. Just walking the 7 streets was enough for me :nice:

 

Haha :lol: Better something than nothing! :P

I read this as "student sexchange tips"

 

eeep

 

and I think there are lots of interesting gallery's in Amsterdam

along with the Heineken museum thingy

but seeing as though you're 15 I'm not sure if you'd be able to get into that.

^:lol::lol::laugh3:

 

Once an American girl came to my house for a week. We were sooo different, and I was a terrible host, I felt I was boring her or something. It was awful :bomb: And I feel stupid whenever I think about that week. :shame:

I read this as "student sexchange tips"

 

eeep

 

and I think there are lots of interesting gallery's in Amsterdam

along with the Heineken museum thingy

but seeing as though you're 15 I'm not sure if you'd be able to get into that.

 

:lol:

 

I think we're going to the Heineken museum. :thinking:

 

I'd love to check the gallery that currently has a Paul Klee's exhibition. :wacko:

 

^:lol::lol::laugh3:

 

Once an American girl came to my house for a week. We were sooo different, and I was a terrible host, I felt I was boring her or something. It was awful :bomb: And I feel stupid whenever I think about that week. :shame:

 

Eh, that sucks when you come to a house of strangers that are so different than you. :blank:

Thanks guys, we're leaving in less than 2 hours. :)

Guess I'm too late for some tips on Amsterdam, right? Well, just enjoy our capitol! :D

Haha :lol: Better something than nothing! :P

 

Not all the time, of course. But at least one day just walking around.

As for museums, woudn't go to the Heineken one or the Torture Museum. Van Gogh museum was very good, though, and Madam Tussauds is always fun. But that depends on if you're going in a small/big group and what people are interested in.

So yeah we returned last week, but as I had much stuff to do at home, I coudn't write here. It was great! Thanks everyone ^^ I will write more words about my trip later.

Take a sweater