During June of 2019, a group of Keuka College students, including myself flew overseas to the Netherlands for two weeks. During this time, we visited in various locations to see how Social Work policies impacted local establishments from schools, healthcare facilities, and a prison. This expanded our learning of networking systems and how society works together as a whole.
On top of that, this was the perfect opportunity to personally experience their culture and lifestyle by “living like the locals" and to be so involved in the community gave me a similar sense of “home” as my relatives which was a personal goal of mine, as I am from a Dutch family. Through the sights and experiences, I am able to build important cultural context behind history and language which is vital to the interpreting field.
During this time, we visited various locations to see how Social Work policies shaped how different organizations run and grow. We met with the very people managing these programs. This way we were able to hear how well they develop and provide their services to fit their clients and follow the country's policies, outside of what media or potentially biased online sources may say. This opened our eyes to new ways of business and a new sense of community which differs to that of the States.
Pictured: facilities of the Pazman Horse Therapy Farm, Joppe School and Arcade School.
A unique piece to Dutch culture is their food.
These treats are things that a visitor cannot miss out on. As I have grown up with a few of these items, it was absolutely amazing to be tasting the many flavors of the Netherlands. Their food is a piece of not only their culture, but also their history.
Pictured: typical french fries and mayo, Poffertjes, Stroopwafels, Pannenkoeken, a normal Dutch breakfast, and a few other delicious meals I had during my stay.
Iconic to the Netherlands, like all Europe, is its old architecture. It gives insight to their history and the different eras the country has lived through. Part of being in a new country is getting the feel for a new norm, including the different sights we may not be used to. Seeing these different buildings gave me a breath of fresh air, the thrill of exploring a new place, and the reality check that this is what life looks like, being encompassed by so much history. This is immersion, being surrounded by the everyday surroundings of stranger who lives a different lifestyle than me.
Pictured: iconic canals, the famous Rijksmuseum, an authentic Draaiorgel (street organ), a typical street market, and much more old architecture.
A stranger may be a new friend and a new opportunity.
This is a phrase I constantly life by. Every person I come across is the chance to create a new bond. I never know what to expect from someone, but this makes it all the more worthwhile to get to know someone. On this trip, I seized every opportunity to get to know the gals I stayed with in the Netherlands. We cultivated bonds like no other and we share memories like no other.
There's something about travelling that makes me a more authentic version of myself and it's beautiful to see individuals come together in authenticity and realness to take on a new adventure.
Pictured: fellow students on the Field Period