And yet another exploration begins: planes, trains, and Amsterdam rains

After studying abroad in Rome and Istanbul this past summer, I decided to continue my European travels and venture into the Netherlands. I'm here to study "Dutch Designs: Research and Information Systems Development," an exploration seminar offered by the University of Washington Information School (I recently got accepted into their program). What I like about this program is [1] as a recipient of the Gilman International Scholarship, I don't have to pay a dime out of my own money since flight/program expenses are covered by my award, and [2] the course that I am taking in the Netherlands will waive one of my core curriculum requirements for my major. All in all, it's a win-win situation, and I'm very excited to learn as much as I can.

Amsterdam is known for its dams and water canals.

When I first arrived in the Netherlands, what impressed me right off the bat was their public transportation system. I could easily find my way through the city by utilizing their train and tram systems that arrive almost every five minutes. After checking into the Bicycle Hotel (where I'll be staying in Amsterdam for about a week), I could meet up with all of the other classmates. Most of the class comprises graduate students (7 residential masters candidates and 6 online masters candidates). At the same time, undergraduates only make up thirty percent of the class with just 7 out of 20 majoring in Informatics. It's an interesting environment for me to hang out with people who are, on average, ten-to-twenty years my senior. Fun fact: I am the youngest person in the group. Regardless, I have already learned so much from the older crowd; they're great conversationalists.

Chilling with the grad students on a train ride.

Our class has hit the ground running since the first day we arrived in Amsterdam. Professor Trent Hill gives his informative morning lectures every Monday and Wednesday. Topics that were discussed this week were the fundamentals and ethics of research. I enjoy the assigned readings and reviewing statistical methods, as the lessons covered pique my interest. However, our class also learns much from the guest keynote lectures at different institutes/facilities around the city, which are arranged for every Tuesday and Thursday morning. For instance, we visited the Virtual Knowledge Studio and learned about their perspective/goals on creating knowledge through an information communication technology (ICT) lens. We also visited the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision to learn about audiovisual content exploitation in networked societies. What's great about this exploration seminar is its structured academic format, and I walk out of every lecture inspired by the current problems and progress in information technology.

Amsterdam Central Station.

Of course, there's much more to the program than just the morning lectures. A significant amount of learning takes place outside of the classroom, also. Since we are free to do whatever we want with our afternoons, most students organize many activities to get better acquainted with the city and Dutch culture. One evening, I could visit Anne Frank's secret annex to learn more about the emotional impact of the Holocaust. (The living conditions were very bleak and depressing.) Another day, I took a tour through the Heineken Brewery with the other undergraduates. Although I personally don't drink (I've yet to take a sip of alcohol in the twenty years I've been alive), it was very fascinating to learn about the history and the making of the lager. And on some nights when I crave frozen dessert, I still find a group of students who would brave the torrential downpour for a scoop of Dutch ice cream. Though the weather here in Amsterdam has been cold, soggy, and overcast skies, nothing will stop us from having a great experience.

We want our ice cream in any weather condition.

Survival Guide Tips: Simple Dutch Phrases
1. Hello (Hallo)
2. Goodbye (Tot ziens)
3. Please (Alsjeblieft)
4. Thank you (Dankjewel)
5. Yes / No (Ja / Nee)
* Additional phrases can be found online here.

COMMENTS

BLOGGER: 4
  1. ah! so glad you're back on blogging! :D i hope you're having a BLAST in amsterdam!!! sounds like it's fun so far! and you've found some like minded people with the ice cream XD and the part about them being great conversationalists.. well i'm sure it works well because you are also great to have conversations with :D keep blogging! cant wait to hear more!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Amazing! Ha ha yeah nothing will stop Americans from getting to their ice cream!! Lol jk jk! =P

    That sounds like a very different seminar, lol must be fun to be around a bunch of more mature ppl.

    You are becoming quite the videographer. I was thoroughly impressed with your shots. Very dynamic. ;)

    Where'd you get the music by the way? Sounds awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bryan,
    This blog is awesome. Great videos and thoughts.
    -Sue Castelin

    ReplyDelete
  4. While being there how many ice creams or any other frozen desserts did you during your stay there?

    ReplyDelete

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Points & Places: And yet another exploration begins: planes, trains, and Amsterdam rains
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