Answers From Amsterdam: Part Ten (Final)
Have you experienced any particular incident of culture shock (difficulty adjusting to a new culture) and if so, how did you handle it?
When I was first researching the option of study abroad and going through the overly complicated application process the phrase “culture shock” was thrown around quite a bit. I heard it from my study abroad advisor and in meetings hosted by ETSU’s International Office to familiarize students with issues they may encounter while abroad. According to the standard culture shock graph, the first few weeks are the honeymoon phase in which everything is new and exciting. Then comes the negotiation phase in which one tries to reconcile the differences between their home and host country; a period often associated with homesickness and depression. After a few months, one becomes accustomed to their host country and begins to feel comfortable in everyday life. Finally, there is a second wave of culture shock upon returning home.
Written Last November 2010
But I think the whole process applies to everyone in a different way. If you’re more open to change and new environments (as I feel I am), then you may tend to skip stages of culture shock. For instance, either I’m still in the honeymoon phase (which I can surely say I’m not) or I’m already in the adjustment phase in that I feel comfortably acquainted with life in the Netherlands. While I miss friends and family, I’ve in no way felt ‘homesick’ or ‘depressed.’ I think those states of mind are the result of not holding the right perspective on life. Some might say that I’ve only been away from the States for three months, so I guess I’ll have a better answer to this question in six or nine months. But something I’ve thought a good deal about is returning to the U.S. and how that will feel. I think if there is any culture shock to come, it will be upon arriving back in the States.
Written July 2011
Being abroad for nearly a year is a long time. I’ve missed birthdays of friends and family, weekends at the lake, hanging out with friends, and countless things I have yet to realize I missed. I find myself wondering what will have changed more upon arriving back in the States: me or everyone at home?
While I wrote the above nearly eight months ago, my general feelings regarding cultural shock have not changed. The main difference has been the past month or so since classes in Amsterdam have ended. I find myself with more free time, and likewise find myself thinking more and more about how my time here is coming to an end.
The main reminder that the end is near is the constant final parties, goodbye dinners, etc that seem to be occurring on a weekly basis as the friends I’ve made over the course of the year leave Amsterdam one by one to return to their home countries. I wouldn’t classify it as a period of depression, but more of a period of unsettledness as I recall the memories and experiences of the past year and anxiety about returning home where I’ll have to find some way to explain everything I’ve felt and experienced while abroad.
Though I’ll dearly miss the unique atmosphere of Amsterdam (my home away from home), my flatmates and other close friends, and the exhilaration of traveling to new countries, I’m also looking forward to returning home to friends, family, and things that make America…well so American.
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Answers From Amsterdam: Part Nine
Seeing as you are an exchange student, what are some major differences in how the Dutch universities approach education as opposed to American universities?
Apart from the excitement and rush of living in such an international environment (created by the huge variety of nationalities that study in Amsterdam), the educational system of the Netherlands is one of the best things about studying in Amsterdam. The most noticeable difference between the university system in the Netherlands and the States is the course of difficulty and required independence in studies. My courses at VU Amsterdam are much harder than any course I’ve taken at ETSU (including Software Engineering). Even Media History (essentially film history) was a much more difficult course than it would be in the states. Strangely enough, it is the difficulty of the Dutch system that makes it an immensely better education system. Gone are the standardized, multiple choice questions, that often only cover part of the course. Instead, most classes involve massive amounts of reading leading the student to discover and pursue their own interests in a course. Additionally, testing is administered through comprehensive exams involving open-ended questions, often with a paper or experiment proposal (as I had to do in my Neuroscience Attention course) in addition. Other methods include weekly essays and writings replacing the need for an end of course exam. Finally, one of the best parts, though subtle, parts of the Dutch education system that universities in the States should adopt more often are breaks about every 45 minutes. A 10-15 minute break for food, coffee, and socialization can do wonders for refocusing one’s attention.
Answers From Amsterdam: Part Eight
What mode of transportation do you use most frequently and on average how far do you have to travel this way to get the necessities?
Biking, the lifeblood of the transportation system of the Netherlands. Biking is to the Dutch as driving is to Americans. They bike to school, to the supermarket, to the movies, to other cities, and even all the way across the city just to find a cafe bathed in the glow of the afternoon sun (something to be treasured in the usually raining/cloudy weather of Amsterdam). And by ‘they’ I also mean me. I literally bike everywhere, whether it is five minutes to the grocery store or campus, or 30-45 minutes to a cafe/bar on the far side of the city (I live in suburb south of the centrum of Amsterdam), and 60-90 minutes to a a nearby city or the beach. Rain or shine, cold or hot (well semi-warm because I’ve yet to experience hot weather), day or night, with winds up to 30mph, and even snow and ice, you’ll find me biking (or sliding when it is snow and ice) around the city. Being able to bike anywhere anytime creates a feeling of ultimate freedom. I really can’t imagine a life without a bike, and I’m already wondering how this will change my life upon returning to the States.
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Answers From Amsterdam: Part Seven
Olympiaplein Fountain
Did you have any instances where understanding or translating a language was an obstacle for you?
In most situations in foreign countries one would imagine this to be a daily occurrence, at least until they became familiar with the culture and fluent in the language. Amsterdam, and the Netherlands in general, is an anomaly when it comes to encountering a situation like the one described in the question above. Due to the widespread understanding and use of English, a non-Dutch speaker (who understands English) could theoretically go about their daily life and never have to use a word of Dutch. On the other hand, this would greatly limit their interactions and ability to truly integrate into the society (which is a major issue in the current political atmosphere of the Netherlands in regard to the integration of Muslim immigrants). So to answer your questions, I haven’t had a misunderstanding due to language since arriving in Amsterdam (but I have had issues with language while traveling in other countries since going abroad, namely Morocco and France).
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Answers From Amsterdam: Part Six
Along the canal near Uilenstede
Are there any major differences between those who live in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands?
Honestly, I can’t provide a truly accurate answer to this question as I haven’t met or interacted with many Dutch who live outside of Amsterdam. Though I can say the Dutch living in Amsterdam and their relation to the Dutch who live in more rural settings, is similar to the comparison between Americans who live in the country verse Americans who live in New York City.
Answers From Amsterdam: Part Five
Me, Pedro, Samantha, Filipe, and Peter near Innsbruck, Austria in the Alps
Have you introduced any new local foods into your diet after moving to Amsterdam?
While I wouldn’t say I’ve integrated any truly ‘new’ foods into my diet, I’ve definitely increased or decreased consumption of certain foods since arriving in Amsterdam. In fact, it would be somewhat difficult to incorporate new food into one’s diet while living in the Netherlands since their food scene is very similar to the U.S., in that it is a melting pot of cuisines. On the increase would be dairy products, namely cheese and milk. Dairy products are a huge part of Dutch food culture (maybe one reason the Dutch are on average the tallest people in the world), so there is a endless variety of cheeses to choose from. I’ve also increased my caffeine intake, primarily in the form of coffee, or koffie as the Dutch call it. Back in the U.S. I was a heavy tea drinker, but upon arriving in Amsterdam I was introduced to Turkish and French press coffee, which I have to say taste a hell of a lot better than most drip coffee I’ve had back home. Likewise, coffee is another huge part of Dutch culture (similarly the Dutch don’t seem to sleep much) of which the annual per capita consumption of coffee is 8.4kg compared to the U.S. at 4.2kg. As for foods I’ve eaten less of since arriving in Amsterdam? Primarily meat due to the high cost verse my limited food budget. As for local foods I’ve tried: croquettes (deep-fried stewed beef, gravy, or other mysterious fillings, smoked horse meat, and steak tartare. And you can’t forget local beer: Heineken, Grolsch, Amstel,various Belgian brews, and Brouwerij’Tij (Amsterdam’s local brewery and my favorite).
Answers From Amsterdam: Part Four
Top of the second highest peak at La Joue du Loup, France
Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the Dutch that you found were not true or actually ended up being true?
Before considering Amsterdam as a possibility for study abroad I knew next to nothing about the Dutch and their society, apart from what everyone thinks of when they hear Amsterdam: drugs and prostitution. To fill this gaping hole of knowledge I purchased the humorous book The UnDutchables. It filled in the missing details on many of the strange or quirky Dutch stereotypes.
Upon entering the Netherlands the only real pre-conceived notions I had were: the Dutch are openly critical of others and themselves, and that the Dutch possess some magical (which isn’t all that magical, but instead employ a bit of common sense) ability to regulate substances and activities which so many other nations either try to ignore by sweeping them under a hypothetical rug or wasting billions of dollars and millions of man hours on an ill conceived ‘war on drugs’. To sum up, upon entering the Netherlands I knew little of the real Dutch perspective on life, and three months later I honestly still don’t have a solid grasp on their worldview (originally written in November 2010). I think it has something to do with coming from a massive nation of many varied states to a country with the size of the state of Maryland. But the mystery of the Dutch and their guttural sounding language will continue to intrigue me during my stay in Amsterdam.
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Answers From Amsterdam: Part Three
Green Tower Roof - Looking northwest towards Amsterdam Zuid financial district
Have you met any other Americans who are living abroad in Amsterdam and how common is it to see other immigrants in Amsterdam?
By living abroad, I’m going to assume you mean studying abroad and not living in Amsterdam as an expat. Surprisingly, I’ve met many more Americans than I envisioned before moving to Amsterdam. In total, I’ve come across about thirty fellow Americans, though I only really interact with a quarter of them on a regular basis. As for other immigrants, I’ll interpret that as both international students and the massive populations of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants (which along with other immigrants make up nearly 10% of the population). Amsterdam’s universities are full of international exchange and masters students since many of the programs are taught primarily in English. This leads to an atmosphere of constant intellectual and cultural stimulation as the various nationalities interact (something I’ve come to value about living and studying in the Netherlands). As for the immigrants, the majority move to the Netherlands for work (same as Mexicans in the U.S.) or asylum, but I don’t see them all that often unless I happen to be biking through an immigrant neighborhood.
Answers From Amsterdam: Part Two
Walking through Albert Cuyp Market, August 2010
How hospitable are the Dutch to outsiders or tourists?
This question really has two different answers for it depends on the type of Dutch you interact with. Worldwide the Dutch are known for their openness and tolerance, most famously for the regulation of cannabis and prostitution. But there is a growing trend in the Netherlands, related in particular to the Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom, in which outsiders and non-Dutch, especially Muslims, are met with fascists remarks. Similarly, there is talk of limiting the cannabis coffeeshops (in particular preventing more from opening) and restricting the Red Light District to a much more confined area, so as to limit the type of crowd it attracts. Putting all the comments above aside, the Dutch are in reality down to earth, kind, and generally helpful (though Dutch customer service doesn’t always meet these characteristics) when approached by an outsider or tourist. That said, the Dutch inner social circle is a hard nut to crack.
Answers From Amsterdam: Part One
Last semester, around the time of Thanksgiving, a good friend known as TheBeard (for he has quite an impressive beard) had to interview someone living abroad for a class at ETSU. And since I was (and still am) living abroad, I agreed to answer a few (10) questions on various aspects/differences in diet, social interactions, education, and generally everything that consists of daily life in The Netherlands. Instead of overwhelming you with an abundance of intriguing and informative minutia all at once, I’m going to slowly release it over a series of ten posts titled Answers From Amsterdam (and it should leave the impression that I’m posting regularly…and not just using a queue system). And with that said, on to the minutia of life in Amsterdam.
From your point of view, how do you perceive the overall personality of the local people as compared to East Tennessee?
“Locals” is for me sort of an ambiguous term. While the Dutch are technically the ‘true’ locals, my daily life involves interactions with mainly international students from twenty plus countries. But often the Dutch are included in that mix of internationals, so their individual characteristics that define them as Dutch still come through. The Dutch have a very forward and honest manner in their interactions. Though they often come off as arrogant or critical, it’s in their nature to speak their minds. This manner of social interaction is often vastly different from life in East Tennessee. I would say the average East Tennesseean, or American, is often dishonest in his social interactions whether he realizes it or not. It’s in the nature of most Americans to do everything they can to avoid offending someone else, often leading to dishonest comments when asked their opinion of something or someone. Though I interact with other international students more so than the Dutch students, I’ve come to prefer their direct honesty in conversations (as opposed to beating around the bush as would happen in America).
