Ulenhofcollege

Netherlands 2014-Monday March 31

Today students biked to Ulenhofcollege and parked in the crowded bike parking lot. Once in school, students attended classes in Dutch history, and geography. TC West students also worked with their Dutch twins to present a short skit using only the Dutch language. Students are having a great time and learning a lot! Tomorrow students will take a train to Arnhem, where they will visit the Open Air Museum (similar to Michigan's Greenfield Village). We will post some photos again tomorrow. Weather the last several days has been dry, mostly sunny, and in the low 70's!

TC West Netherlands Trip 2014 - Day 1 Travel Day

Netherlands 2014-Travel Day 1

We arrived today at Schipol Airport in the Netherlands, safely and on time! We took a few pictures in front of the "I am Amsterdam" sign at the airport, and then took a two hour bus ride to Doetinchem. As you can see from the photos, Traverse City West students were greeted by their Dutch friends with signs, cheers, hugs, and 68 degree weather!!! The Americans are now with their Dutch twins and their families for the week-end. On Monday, students will learn about Dutch history, language, geography, and art when they attend Ulenhofcollege. We will post to the blog again on Monday.

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!