Dutch and American Students Visit Mackinac Island

On Wednesday, thirty four Dutch and American students, and four teachers, visited Mackinac Island on a cold, but dry fall day. Mackinac Island is a 15 minute ferry ride into Lake Huron - one of the five Great Lakes. The island sits near the five mile long Mackinac Bridge in Lake Huron, in between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. We visited Fort Mackinac and watched actors portraying American soldiers shoot a cannon and antique rifles. Students rode bikes on the island that does not allow motorized vehicles. The island was settled by Native Americans, and later inhabited by the French, the British, and eventually the Americans. It served as a key beaver fur trading post. Fur trading was a major source of revenue in trade with Europe. Mackinac Island is now a major tourist destination and vacation resort. All of the students stayed warm and had a great time. Tomorrow we will visit Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Park.

Dutch on Mackinac - 2013

Dutch Arrive in Traverse City

The Dutch arrived safely and on time in Traverse City on Sunday evening. They were greeted at the airport by excited Traverse City West students holding welcome signs.

Dutch Arrive US 2013

Delft & The Hague

Netherlands 2013-Delft & The Hague

On our final day in The Netherlands, we walked from our hostel to the center of Delft, to see the Dutch parliament building, and the Knights Hall, where Queen Beatrix has, and soon King Willem-Alexander will, give the equivalent of the state of the union address. We also walked past the building where Prime Minister Mark Rutte has his working office. From there, we took a tram to Delft. Delft is famous for being the home of "Delft Blue" hand painted pottery, as well as the home of Vermeer. Perhaps most importantly, it was the home of William of Orange, the George Washington of The Netherlands. In Delft, students climbed the narrow staircase to the top of the steeple of the beautiful New Church, where they had a gorgeous view of the city. Most everyone shopped for a while in Delft, before taking the short tram ride back to The Hague. In the afternoon, we visited the M.C. Escher museum, and then most students continued with last minute shopping. Tomorrow morning we leave the hostel very early in the morning for the train ride to Schipol airport, and our return to the United States. All fifteen of our students have been awesome travelers. The first day we checked in to the hostel in The Hague, the hotel manager asked me what we have done to make our kids so calm and respectful. Thanks to all of you for an amazing trip!

Amsterdam

Netherlands 2013-Amsterdam

Today we took an early morning train from The Hague to Amsterdam. We then walked to the Anne Frank house. All students said it was a powerful experience. Students had some time to shop and eat lunch in the Dam Square area for a few hours. At the "Ship's Museum," students were able to tour a replica of a Dutch East India Company sailing vessel from the 1700's. As today was Logan's birthday, Logan had another birthday cake for dessert. Not many Americans can say they celebrated their birthday in Amsterdam. Tomorrow we will visit Delft, and further explore The Hague.

Leiden, The Hague & Scheveningen

Netherlands 2013-Leiden/The Hague/Scheveningen

After 15 minutes of hugging, the Traverse City West students bid a teary farewell to their now life-long Dutch friends. A one and one half hour bus ride to the Western part of the country found the students in Leiden, a beautiful university town. After spending three hours in Leiden, the Americans headed to The Hague, the seat of the Dutch parliament. We explored the city center a bit, walking by the working castle of Queen Beatrix. We also took a short tram ride to Scheveningen, a resort town on the North Sea. Tomorrow we leave the hostel bright and early to take the train to Amsterdam!

De Hooge Veluwe National Park/ Kroller Muller Museum

Netherlands 2013-Kroller Muller Museum

On Thursday we traveled to De Hoge Veluwe National Park, and the Kroller Muller Museum. De Hooge Veluwe National Park is the largest actively managed conservation area privately owned in the Netherlands. The park covers 5,400 hectares of woodland, heathland, peat bogs and drift sand. The Kroller-Muller Museum is an art museum and sculpture garden located in the Hoge Veluwe National park. The museum has a considerable collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh, such as "The Potato Eaters", and the "Cafe Terrace at Night." The American students had a guided tour of the sculpture garden at the Kroller-Muller Museum. Students will now spend the week-end with their Dutch families. We leave Doetinchem for The Hague on Monday morning. We will post photos again on Monday.

Twin Photos - Banquet

Netherlands 2013-Twin Photos

Also on Thursday, after visiting a castle, and playing sports, students gathered at Ulenhofcollege for the Chinese dinner/banquet. Before dinner, students posed for their official "twin photo."

Sports at Ulenhofcollege

Netherlands 2013-Sports

After we returned from Doornenburg Castle in the early afternoon on Thursday, American and Dutch students played sports in the school gymnasium. Athletic activities included soccer, dodge ball, gymnastics, unicycle riding, badminton, and wall climbing.

Doornenburg Castle

Netherlands 2013-Doornenburg Castle

Thursday was a busy day for the Ulenhofcollege/TC West exchange, so I will divide this in to several different posts. In the morning we traveled about 45 minutes via bus to Doornenburg Castle. The castle is first mentioned in 1295. The oldest parts of the present structure date back to the 14th century.

Ulenhofcollege Presentations

Netherlands 2013-Ulenhofcollege Presentations Day

American students observed Dutch classes today for several hours. In some classrooms the American students also presented to Dutch students a PowerPoint about Michigan, and the United States. Tomorrow we visit a castle!

Xanten, Germany

Netherlands 2013-Xanten

On Tuesday we left The Netherlands for a short 1 1/2 hour bus ride to Xanten, Germany, where we braved the cold temperatures to tour Roman ruins, explore the city, and visit the Roman antiquity museum. After returning to Doetinchem, all of the students enjoyed pancakes on the "pancake ship."

Ulenhofcollege & Windmill

Netherlands 2013 Ulenhofcollege & Windmill

Today, the Dutch and American students reported to school at 8:15 for lessons in photography, and Dutch history. Near the end of the morning, Dutch and American students created lessons designed to have the Dutch students teach the American students some of the basics of the Dutch language. After lunch we toured a windmill in Doetinchem - The "Benninkmolen"- that was originally designed to grind corn. Tomorrow we take a bus to the German town of Xanten, the site of some Roman ruins.

Doetinchem 2013 - Day 1

Doetinchem 2013-Day 1

We arrived safely in Doetinchem this afternoon. As you can see, the Dutch students kindly welcomed us with American flags, and home-made signs. The American students were tired, but very excited! TC West students will be with their Dutch families this week-end, and will report to Ulenhofcollege Monday morning for classes in photography, Dutch history, language, and geography. We will post photos again on Monday.