Sexuality & Sex Education in Amsterdam

Study Abroad Opportunity

For many years now, I have directed a program in Amsterdam that introduces undergraduate and graduate students to the cultural comparative study of human sexuality, sexual health, and sexual health education in a context where sexual health outcomes are the best in the world. This program ran for 6 years through University of Kentucky and last ran in Summer 2023 through  University of Minnesota. I plan to run this program every-other-year, so the next time it will be offered is Summer 2025. More details to come, but please get in touch with me (kpmark[at]umn[dot]edu) if you’d like to be put on the list to receive more information and a registration link once it is available. Below you’ll find a video that was made about the program through University of Kentucky by the talented Seth Riker:

The Netherlands has inclusive and comprehensive sex education from pre-school onward, regulated, legal, and decriminalized sex work, the first to legalize marriage equality, and a very rich and interesting queer history. With their openness to sexuality and emphasis on talking about sex and sexuality with parents, peers, and educators from a young age, sexuality is seen as a healthy part of human development rather than something of which to be ashamed. Sexual pleasure is valued as a human right in the Netherlands, especially in the context of Amsterdam, Utrecht, and De Hague, the cities we visit during our time. Students are immersed in this culture excursions, guest lectures from scholars in the Netherlands, and their own personalized independent study assignment that fuels their interest. Students will spend 2 weeks learning from the Dutch approach to sexuality, sexual health, and sexual health education.