During Plus3, I found myself most interested in the differences in social issues between the United States and the Netherlands. A strong example of this is integration of sustainable practices into society. The Netherlands has dedicated bike lanes, signals for these bike lanes, many green roofs, and other various sustainable practices integrated into society. Even small, like rain water collection and public composting, were visible in the neighborhoods we visited.

Healthcare access also stood out as another prominent social issue with a wide disparity between the United States and the Netherlands. The system in the Netherlands emphasizes accessibility and affordability for all citizens. In fact, a local told myself and a few others about medical refugees who had fled the United States to the Netherlands due to being unable to afford healthcare domestically. Surprisingly, the Netherlands healthcare insurance system is not public; it’s privatized.

Another social issue that exists is accessibility. Due to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the United States has great infrastructure for those with disabilities, but this was often not present in the Netherlands.

Comparing these aspects of daily life, the Netherlands and the United States tackle social issues in vastly different forms. I hope to integrate a Dutch and American perspective in the my future works by using what I’ve learned on this trip.