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…
Tag: The Netherlands
New Knowledge in the Netherlands
Throughout my experience in the Netherlands, I learned many lessons that I know will stay with me long after Plus3 ends. One aspect that stood out to me was the mindset of the Netherlands as a country. Whether it was a floating farm, TU Delft’s Green Village, or biking infrastructure, sustainable practices were a part…
Off to Amsterdam!
Hello! My name is Bryce, and I am a rising sophomore bioengineering major going on Plus 3 to The Netherlands. Personally, I have never gone abroad before, so I am excited to grow and expand my horizons both personally and professionally. Although I anticipate experiencing some homesickness and culture shock, I anticipate plenty of growth…
Networking: The Art-Form of Talking
Throughout this program, one of the greatest skills I’ve learned has been the art of connection-making. Although to some, this skill seems like it comes naturally, I’ve found that it can actually be trained and learned through repetitions. When I was younger, there was a point where I was not very social and had a…
Exploring Amsterdam’s Unique Tourist Culture
One of the most interesting aspects of the Netherlands, but specifically Amsterdam, was the incorporation of tourism into the country and its effects on overall Dutch society and culture. As one of the smallest countries in Europe, many of the cities are relatively close by and easy to get to from one another. Therefore, one…
Balancing Work and Travel: A Student’s Journey
As someone with extensive travel experience and is a foreign-born student that has lived abroad for half his life, I really don’t believe I will struggle with any aspect of “being overseas”. Therefore, I think one of the biggest struggles I may have will finding the balance between traveling and working. Therefore, over the course…
Reflecting on my Journey
It has now been almost three weeks since I returned from the Netherlands, and during this time, I have given considerable thought to my trip. Especially now that I am surrounded by the familiarity of my home, I have come to realize just how special my experience was. Not only did I have the chance…
Tot Ziens, the Netherlands!
It’s been about three weeks back in the states, and I cannot believe my trip is over. It truly feels surreal. Throughout my life, I have been so fortunate and privileged that my parents loved to travel, but going to a new country by myself for a long period of time is such a different…
My “Wow Moment” in The Netherlands: Matthew Thiel
When I first left for the Netherlands, I wondered when it would hit that I really was in a different country, an entire ocean away from my family back home and in abroad without them for the first time. In the first few days, I felt myself getting caught up in the excitement of being…
Challenges with Assimilating into and Understanding Culture in the Netherlands: Matthew Thiel
Given that my Plus3 trip took place in major cities the Netherlands, a notably international country with a very high rate of English proficiency, it can be easy to assume that there would be no difficulties assimilating or understanding elements of Dutch culture. While there was quite a bit on the trip I was familiar…