When faced with sustainability challenges, the Dutch have always innovated their way towards a more stable and resilient environment. Through daily field excursions, students learn about this country’s richly varied history of land reclamation, water management, infrastructure design, energy production, food production, and environmental preservation. These innovations are each an important part of understanding the complex interrelationships between Dutch society, technology, and environment.

Starting from our home base in a 13th century castle, we explore historic and culturally significant places. Excursions throughout the Netherlands are guided by short reading assignments, pre-excursion briefings, visits to a variety of sites featuring Dutch innovations, presentations made by local experts, and interpretive assignments. Course assessment is based on these assignments. Students can expect to learn some Dutch on this trip, but Dutch fluency is not required since most people in the Netherlands are also fluent in English.

Course dates:                January 4 to 28
Estimated cost:             $3940
Prerequisites:                none

Fulfills requirements:
    - CCE core
    - Engineering international and sustainability degree designations
    - Biology or Environmental Health and Conservation upper-level elective
    - Geography, Environmental Science, or Environmental Studies elective
    - Dutch or Netherlandic Studies minor elective

For more information, download our 2-page brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rxn6hKJklRrDWOjKThP4gJDNRC1nfHLH/view?usp=sharing

Robert Hoeksema, Engineering (rhoeksem@calvin.edu)
- Bob lived in the Netherlands during two sabbatical leaves. He has published a book on the topic of flood protection and land reclamation in the Netherlands.

David Koetje, Biology (dkoetje@calvin.edu)
- David is especially interested in place-based interrelationships between food, health, and environment -- a lens through which he interprets Dutch sustainability innovations.

This form conveys your interest in this interim course for 2021. By filling it out, you will be adding your name to our Contact List. We will be using this list to schedule online information meetings about the course.

Those who are ready to commit to taking this course will need to submit an official application via this link:
https://calvin.edu/offices-services/off-campus-programs/application-process/interim/
Because we have a capacity of 16 students in this course, submitting an official application places you on our Priority List for acceptance. In mid- to late-September, accepted students will also need to submit a $500 deposit to secure their enrollment.

1.  Do I need to know Dutch to take this course?
     No, but you will get to learn some helpful Dutch words and phrases.

2.  Is this course intended for majors in a STEM discipline?
     No, it is a great fit for anyone who is interested in technology/society/environment interactions or the Netherlands.

3.  How long is the trip?
     The course runs from January 4 - 28.

4.  Where will we be staying?
     The 13th century Assumburg Castle (operated as a hostel by Stayokay) will be our home base. Students will stay in rooms with other Calvin students. Each room has its own bathroom facilities. Most meals will be provided by the hostel.

5.  What kinds of cross-cultural experiences will we have?
     Cross-cultural engagement is integrated into this course through visits to museums, conversations and meals with Dutch friends, field trips, and assigned readings that guide interpretation of the places we visit.

6.  What are the learning experiences like in this course?
     Briefings and excursion guides orient us to Dutch culture and sustainability-related innovations. Next, we go out on excursions to hear from local experts and "read" the people and places we encounter. Upon arrival back at our home base, we reflect on these experiences using short answer questions in the excursion guide.

7.  Will there be some free time?
     We are scheduling seven open days for personal travel (two 3-day weekends and a final day before we leave). Students can explore the Netherlands further or travel to some of the neighboring countries. Students will be able to visit most Dutch museums for free with their national museum card. Since the weekend experiences will vary from student to student, personal travel costs (beyond food and lodging at Castle Assumburg) are not included in the course cost.

8.  How much does this course cost and is financial aid available?
     The estimated cost is $3940, subject to changes in airfare and currency exchange rates. Interim travel grants and scholarships are available through the Financial Aid office. Contact one of the instructors for details.