The Motive

2024, the year I turned 20.

Going into university, I always knew I wanted to study abroad. I wanted to explore lots of places, try new things and learn so had a very extensive bucket list. Under my travel category, Amsterdam was in my top three destinations. When I learned of a study abroad program at my school that was hosted by my major, going to Amsterdam, and over the summer, I saw it as the perfect opportunity. Looking back, this was one of the few things I’ve truly wanted and still can’t believe I made it a reality. It’s one thing to say “Yeah, I want to study abroad” and another to say “Yeah, I’m going study abroad next month”. When I first recieved the acceptance email it was around my birthday, making it the best gift I could have imagined. Never have I been so thrilled to open an email. After long hours of research, reading books, listening to podcasts (to the extent my work colleagues thought I was obsessed about the Netherlands) here I was four months later, in the land of tall houses, tulips and canals.

Traveling Solo

This was my first time flying solo so I was a bit nervous but excited to mark the start of many travels to come. When I first got to the airport, I swiftly checked in with the online app which was helpful and convenient to use. Since it was summer break AKA peak traveling season, it was bustling with people. After an unprecedented delay at the TSA due to my 35mm film rolls, I finally arrived at the gates and boarded the plane. I had two very amusing Dutch gentlemen neighbours. Throughout the whole flight they kept ordering bottles of Heineken. Because I didn’t get much sleep couple days learning up to the trip, the whole time I was either with eating or sleeping.

Successfully got my ticket and waiting in line

Coffee..a flight essential

Almost there!

Surprisingly the plane ride didn’t feel that long before I knew it, I had landed. When I first stepped in the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, I was taken aback by the clean, modernist interior but also how calm the atmosphere was. Despite being at the airport, everyone was collected and in no rush. Walking through the Schipol Railway Station, I was amazed at how clean everything was.

The skyscrapers near the airport were no different from Seattle but as soon as I stepped out of the De Pijp station, greeted by tall, iconic Dutch style houses it hit me: “Wow..I'm in the the Netherlands”

Schipol Railway Station, navigating our way to the hotel

Dutch style houses with rows of bikes

Arriving in the Netherlands

After dropping off our bags, my classmates and I walked around and explored a bit. It was forecasted to be rainy so was surprised by the glowing sun. The theme of calmness from the airport continued as walked throughout the neighbourhood: people biking around, enjoying a drink or two at the pub, engaged in a conversation. Coupled along with the warmth, everything seemed so peaceful. The tall houses with flowers and bicycles in front looked like something straight out of a children's fairytale. We took a stroll along Sarphatipark and people-watched. Directly contrasting the high paced, busy school life back home I thought "man..I could get used to this". On the walk there I saw a road cleaning car and thought how we could benefit from those back home. I was envious of how the Dutch had achieved a higher quality of public areas through stricter regulations and higher tax. It was evident how partially giving up individual good in this case had benefitted the greater good.

A Sarphatipark tree that recalls Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree"

It was amazing how everyone seemed to have an unsaid routine of clocking out early and hitting the bars at 6PM. We visited a nearby pub and was shocked by the different serving culture. Rather than being hurried by the waiter, we weren't rushed at all -to the point we wondered if our waiter forgot about us. It was definitely a change in pace but a pleasant one. We headed to Albert Hejin afterwards, the most common Netherlands supermarket. It was astonishing how everything from the public transportation, roads, to markets all seemed well-maintained. Being really organized it was satisfying to see everything stocked in place, neatly behind glass doors.

First drinks in De Pijp!

For dinner we went to Kitchen Impossible Amsterdam and enjoyed a bowl of handmade ramen noodles. The sauce was a bit salty but the noodles were amazingly chewy. After dinner I still felt energized to explore so headed to the canals to see the sunset. On the way I made a quick stop at Massimo Gelato. The program director had raved about how good it was so I was eager to try it. The first bite of creamy, cold gelato was a pure bliss. The tangy, tropical passionfruit perfectly balanced the rich, nutty pistachio. I kept stopping in awe, admiring the houses along the way.

Pre-packaged section at Albert Hejin

Kitchen Impossible Amsterdam, Men In Black Soupless Style

"The best gelato in Amsterdam" -Trent Hill, Our Program Director

The Amstel canal was wider than I imagined. I walked along the banks, admiring the tall houses, boathouses and sunlit trees. The warmth, slight breeze and faint conversations: I felt at peace. These evening walks, seeing the sunset over canal bridges was biggest thing I looked forward to in the Netherlands. As picturesque as they are, canals were made for functional purposes. Netherlands, meaning “lower country” was once partially underwater, so they had to extract water with windmills to reclaim dry land. Canals were dug around the city for water management, not to mention the unintentional function of local transportation.

Riverboats along Amstel canal

Sunlit trees

Sunset over Amstel Canal

I was grateful for the clear weather for the sunset was a beautiful mix of blue pink and yellow hues. I sat along the canal, taking in the view. Although it might seem like something an older person would enjoy, I really like watching sunsets, seeing sunlit plants, taking flower pictures -just nature overall.

Especially in a time where everything is fast paced, artificial and digitalized it’s essential to appreciate the genuine, steadfast beauty of things around us. Overall, I’m looking forward to the next four weeks in the Netherlands. As quick as it goes I hope to learn, absorb, and experience as much as I can. Tot ziens!