Netherlands
Saturday July 4 to Saturday August 1, 2026
The University of Toronto is pleased to introduce a new Summer Abroad program in the Netherlands, based in Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading centres for innovation in aging, health care, and social policy. This program offers students a unique opportunity to study how societies can support dignity, autonomy, and well-being across the life course, particularly for individuals living with dementia, through immersive, site-based learning.
The Netherlands is internationally recognized for its groundbreaking approaches to dementia care, including small-scale living environments, intergenerational housing, care farms, and dementia-friendly community design. Drawing on these globally influential models, this program invites students to explore how medical, social, cultural, and political factors intersect to shape experiences of aging and caregiving.
In 2026, the Netherlands Summer Abroad program will offer the following course:
- HMB395Y0: Living with Dementia - Innovations in Dementia Care and the Determinants of Well-being
This experiential course examines dementia through a multidisciplinary lens, integrating neurobiology, psychology, sociology, public health, and policy. Students will engage directly with innovative care environments and community initiatives in and around Amsterdam, critically comparing Dutch and Canadian approaches to aging and dementia care. Emphasis is placed on person-centered practice, quality of life, caregiver experiences, and systems-level innovation.
Questions? Email: netherlands.abroad.wdw@utoronto.ca or book a virtual appointment.