Location

Amsterdam, Leiden, Rotterdam, Enschede, Netherlands

Program Description

Information Session

February 3rd infomation session cancelled. Please email program director Rob Alexander for a one-on-one info session!

During this three-week learning experience in The Netherlands (with four days of online coursework prior), students will learn about “livable and sustainable cities”: what it means to experience and live in one, and how we can become co-designers of future livable and sustainable cities wherever we are in the world. In courses that draw on expertise from a range of disciplines and experts from several institutions in the U.S. and in the Netherlands, students will learn about how community development, public policy, history and culture, and design combine to successfully create cities for a responsible future powered by cooperation between the public and private sectors and operating under circular economy principles.

The program is run in collaboration with students and faculty from Oregon Tech University creating an exciting opportunity to build relationships across the U.S. while engaging in learning in The Netherlands. Participating students will take JMU courses but will also have expertise and collaborative possibilities available to them from the faculty and students of the other institutions.

Throughout our time abroad, students will participate in a Responsible Futuring workshop at the Design Lab of University of Twente to be able to apply responsible future principles to on-the-ground projects and experiences in Leiden, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam such as Laakenfeesten in Leiden, the Floating Farm in Rotterdam, and circular economy innovations at the AMS Institute in Amsterdam.

Along the way, students will meet and learn from sustainability and circular economy practitioners across the public, private, educational, and advocacy sectors as we explore the possibilities on the ground. Students will complete individualized learning portfolios reflecting their experiences as their final assessment ... no papers or exams allowed. We leave our campuses behind and truly make the world our classroom!

The program itinerary alternates back and forth between learning days, reflection days, and free days to ensure a sustainable learning experience that maximizes self-exploration as a teaching and learning approach.

This program includes a virtual week from June 16- 19 and travels from June 21- July 11.

Location Description

The program will entail equal portions of time in Enschede (University of Twente), Leiden, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, The Netherlands with side trips planned during travel between these destinations.

The first portion of the Leiden experience will overlap with the annual festival, Laakenfeesten.

Two full 'off leash' days exist partway through the program for interested students to explore The Netherlands and surrounding areas on their own with accommodations provided for those interested in staying close. The program will start and end in Amsterdam.

Director

Rob Alexander | alexanrw@jmu.edu| Political Science, Environmental Studies

Accommodations

Accommodations will be provided for students in hotels and/or campus-based dormitories or cabins, depending upon the destination. Students will share double rooms in hotels and dormitories and possibly in a bunk room in cabins if that option is utilized. Faculty will be in the same accommodations or right next to the student accommodations, with each place to stay being walkable from our primary activities and/or public transportation. Occasionally, private transportation will be provided when necessary.

Students will be allocated a weekly meal stipend held from their program fee. There will be two or three group dinners during the entire trip paid for by the program. Most hotel accommodations will include breakfast.

Additional Items to Consider

Travel to The Netherlands for U.S. citizens requires a passport that is valid up to three months after the departure date from The Netherlands and must have at least two blank passport pages.

Students may arrange with their cellular providers for international usage or travel with an unlocked phone and purchase a SIM card for phone use in The Netherlands.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0

Open to all class levels and majors, including graduate students