Two Worlds United

The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, spoken by almost all people in the Netherlands. Dutch is also spoken in Flanders and Suriname. It is a West Germanic, Low Franconian language that originated in the Early Middle Ages (c. 470) and was standardized in the 16th century.

While most people in the Netherlands speak Dutch, there are also some recognized provincial languages and regional dialects.

• Frisian is a co-official language in the province of Friesland. Frisian is spoken by 453,000 speakers ^[1]
• Several dialects of Dutch Low Saxon (Nederlands Nedersaksisch in Dutch) are spoken in much of the north-east of the country and are recognised by the Netherlands as regional languages according to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Low Saxon is spoken by 1,798,000 speakers. ^[2]
• Another Dutch dialect granted the status of regional language is Limburgish, which is spoken in the south-eastern province of Limburg. Limburgish is spoken by 825,000 speakers. Though there are movements to have Limburgish recognized as an official language (meeting with varying amounts of success,) it is important to note that Limburgish in fact consists of a large amount of differing dialects that share some common aspects, but are quite different. ^[3]

However, both Low Saxon and Limburgish spread across the Dutch-German border and belong to a common Dutch-Low German dialect continuum.

• English is an official language in the special municipalities of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius (BES Islands). It is widely spoken on Saba and Sint Eustatius.
• Papiamento is an official language in the special municipality of Bonaire.

The Netherlands also has its separate Dutch Sign Language, called Nederlandse Gebarentaal (NGT). It is still waiting for recognition and has 17,500 users.^[4]

There is a tradition of learning foreign languages in the Netherlands: about 89% of the total population have good knowledge of English, 70% of German, 29% of French and 5% of Spanish.

Two Worlds United Recommendation forms are due April 1st.  Recommendations forms can be completed by a teacher, guidance counselor, principal or other school official.  Private tutors can also complete the forms.  Please note that the forms need to be mailed separately by the official who is completing the form.  The forms should not be turned in with your Two Worlds United application they should be submitted independently.

Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) All Two Worlds United students admitted to the Summer Abroad program are required to successfully complete a PDO, which will provide information and advice on international health and safety issues. Students are also required to attend the in-person Arrival Orientation provided within the destination country. Two Worlds United participants are required to obtain all necessary travel documents (including visas, passports, etc.); students must provide proof of health insurance; students must read all materials they are provided by Two Worlds United (including email, admission package, and Student Handbook

Notice:  All students working on full application forms remember that your host family letter must be written in Dutch.

Students on 2010 summer programs need to submit their completed workbooks submitted no later than May 1

Pre-departure Orientations for all Two Worlds United Summer Programs will be held during the week of  May 3rd to May 8th, 2010.  For further details on scheduling of Pre-departure Orientations please contact your admissions advisor.

Deadlines for 2010 Programs

Two Worlds United Summer in Netherlands 2010 Deadline – April 1, 2010 Program FULL

Two Worlds United Fall Semester in Netherlands 2010 Deadline – April 1, 2010 Program FULL

Two Worlds United Academic Year in Netherlands 2010 Deadline – April 1, 2010 Program FULL

Each Summer Two Worlds United welcomes high school students to the beautiful city of Amsterdam.  As a Two Worlds United student in Amsterdam you’ll visit the most famous sites as well as some of the lesser known but extraordinary sites.

• • Homestay accommodation including meals with your host family
  • School Tuition included in all programs which have an Academic component including Year, Semester, Trimester and Summer Language & Culture Programs
  • Events and Excursions including entrance fees and transportation
  • Chaperones and Local On-site staff support and supervision
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • 24-hour worldwide emergency assistance throughout the program
  • Pre-departure and in-country orientations
  • Student Handbook
  • Airfare- students are met at the airport by a program representative
  • Passport and visa application fees as applicable
  • Personal expenses (e.g., toiletries, clothing, internet, calling card, activities)
  • School expenses (e.g., uniform/lunches, if required, supplies, bus pass)
  • Any other item not specified
  Applications for the progrom are online at the Two Worlds United Website at http://www.twoworldsunited.com/preapplication.html this form should be completed and returned to the Two Worlds United Office along with your $95 Registration Fee.This is not the same as filling out the pre-application online; please do not resubmit the online pre-application.  In order to receive your full application, you must mail in a hard copy of your pre-application with the Registration Fee.You will then receive your Two Worlds United Full Application Form.  After we get your full application form the next step will be forTwo Worlds United to send your full application overseas.  The Coordinators will then begin to make your placement arrangements based upon the information that you include in your full application form.

  Please mail your application to:

  Two Worlds United

  503 E. Jackson Street

  Suite 250

  Tampa, FL  33602

  Two Worlds United offers partial scholarships are from $250 up to $1200. Qualified students may apply based on criteria which may include: academic grade point average, financial need, number and level of courses attempted in high school, rank in class, and information included on the International Awareness Scholarship application. Each scholarship is based upon meeting the individual scholarship requirements and the application competition.

  After applying with the preliminary application, you will receive your Two Worlds United Full Application Form and a Scholarship Application Form.  Please keep in mind that applications are handled as first come – first serve basis, so the sooner you apply the better chances to get a better destination city, and placement.

  If you’d like to find out more about fundraising there is a Fundraising Information Kit online athttp://www.twoworldsunited.com/fundraising.pdf

Tuition includes:

Program does not include: