Alexander Hamilton may have famously declared New York to be “the place to be,” but as far as I’m concerned, the place to be is the Netherlands. I’ve explored this European nation as a study abroad student for the past few months. I’ve fallen in love with its canals, tulip fields and windmills, with destinations like the Anne Frank Museum and the Van Gogh Museum, and with the people. I’ve learned what a dynamic place the world is and how interconnected we are to one another. With just a few weeks left in my time in the Netherlands, I wanted to reflect on a few of the things that I have learned here.
Meet New People
Throughout this experience, I’ve had the chance to meet people from all over the world. Yes, growing up in New York City I’ve had the chance to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and to learn about their cultures. However, studying in Europe has been different. I’ve met a lot of wonderful Dutch people, as I expected, but I’ve also met other study abroad students from all over the world. We’ve bonded, learned and lived this experience together. I’ve shared this experience with students from Spain, Taiwan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Finland, Georgia (the country), and from other parts of the U.S., like Arkansas. I’ve expanded by musical tastes to include Brazilian funk music and a Georgian band called Bedford Falls. I’ve sampled delicious jamon, a specialty ham from Spain. I’ve learned about the history of places such as Canterbury, England. I’ve come to appreciate what it means to learn in a cross-cultural setting.
Beware of Food Comas
I’ve already mentioned the jamon, but the Netherlands overall is full of all kinds of delicacies. Pastries, like croissants, chocolate buns and pain aux raisin are staples, as are caramel-filled cookies called stroopwafels. (There is also plenty of organic fresh fruit.) Breakfast at dinner (think eggs, bacon and toast) was common. However, my friend Tatiana and I also grew fond of a dumpling and noodle shop in the Hague City Center, where we quickly established a signature order: pork dumplings with chicken-fried noodles. I also enjoyed cooking some of my favorite meals from home, which was comforting when I was so far away.
Don’t Be Too Tough on Yourself
In my time in the Netherlands, I’ve had a chance to meet new people, eat and live life in new ways. However, it does not mean that there haven’t been hardships. I’ve learned how difficult “adulting” is. I wished to have “13 going on 30” moments, where I could flashback to my younger self when I didn’t have to worry about as much. However, that is the reality of life in general and study abroad in particular, are full of challenges. There are times when the experience is lonely. Often Facetime is the closest you come to the people you love. There are moments of stress of adapting to a new institution like Hague University. There are days of not wanting to get up, to spend all day in the comfort of bed. However, I realized that all of those feelings and actions are perfectly normal. The study abroad experience is not about having the perfect experience, but a real one. An experience where you are fully immersed in the culture, figuring out what to think, say, or feel, and learning who you are.
Hasina Foye ’23 is an aspiring journalist from Bronx, N.Y., who is studying English literature and communications at Le Moyne. Hasina is spending the spring semester of 2022 at Hague University in the Netherlands and will be sharing her reflections on life abroad. Please continue to follow her journey here.