#bonnerscholars

[universityofhouston]

Talk about a whale of a job! UH Bonner scholars devoted their spring break to cleaning up the Texas coastline. Learn more about these amazing Coogs: http://bit.ly/1Ue6clM  

[bonnersinamsterdam]

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Today we started the day quite early. For the next two days we will be visiting The Hague and Rotterdam so we packed up an overnight bag and departed by around 8:15. 

The first stop once we arrived in The Hague was The Humanity House, an interesting interactive experience where one goes on a “journey” as if one is a refugee. Starting with getting photographed and receiving your “papers,” one then went through the place, where many photographs and videos were displayed and got to hear stories of refugees as well as go through a little mini interview.

 After going through and reaching the other side, I had many mixed feelings about the experience. On the one hand, the interactive elements made things more real and forced me to stop and think about just how scary and difficult this process can be to seek refuge in a foreign country. On the other hand, it was hard not to also feel that this seemed to almost trivialize the whole experience. Of course, this exhibit is tailored for a wide-ranging audience, including children, so obviously the types of information, displays etc. must be adjusted accordingly so its hard to judge it too harshly but I definitely left with some mixed feelings (and am certainly planning on going to seek out more information when I have a few free moments). 

We then walked through the city to a nice place where we had lunch. SO many options! 

The food was all made fresh and there were salads and fresh fruit and pastries, and smoothies…you name it! I ended up getting this fresh grilled tuna flatbread with pickled onions, cucumbers, lettuce and some kind of mayo sauce, and a yummy mango pastry.

After lunch, we went to see the Peace Palace (didn’t actually get to go inside. It’s only open to visitors once a month unfortunately). Sometimes called the “seat of international law,” this is where the International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration are housed. Although we were not able to go into the actual peace palace, there was a nice information center that had a pretty fancy schmancy audio guided tour (I’m talking laser pointers and everything—see photo), and we at least got to snap a few pics from in front of the palace. 

We also stopped and got to see the World Peace Flame, which is a beautiful installation that marks the moment in history back in April 2004 where every single country in the world came together and signed a Statement for Peace.

Surrounding this “eternal” flame, there is a stone garden where each country contributed one stone to be placed there. Quite a powerful symbol and for a second, my mind imagined what it would mean if we all came together and actually worked towards a world free from violence and one in which everyone knows peace. 

Then onwards to ROTTERDAM!! When we arrived it was clear pretty quickly that this was quite a contrast to the old, quaint city of Amsterdam. We were immediately met with gleaming, modern architecture and tall skyscrapers. 

Much of this city was forced to rebuild after the bombings by the Germans in WWII and they came back with some very unique architecture. We are staying in these crazy awesome Cube Houses. They are so cool looking and no one room is the same as the other. 

After checking in, we had a few hours before dark so I went right back out to try and explore while there was still light. I generally am not a fan of most modern architecture I see these days, but the architecture in Rotterdam is something special. Each building has character, and I found myself really enjoying every new crazy building I came across. One of the coolest (well, besides the cube houses we are staying in), is this giant indoor market place that is housed in their giant dome-like building that is painted with the coolest picture. Absolutely stunning!

After dinner at the hostel, I went back out to explore a bit more before returning back and am now getting ready to get some zzzZZZ’s. I’m excited for what tomorrow will bring. I hope all of you back in the USA are staying warm and cozy! Ok Goodnight from Rotterdam!!

—Benjamin Biffis signing out

[bonnersinamsterdam]

The Black heritage of Amsterdam unit we discovered on Tuesday was nothing short of intriguing. We began our day with a lecture from Nancy Jouwe from SIT where we went through the complete colonial history of the Netherlands to see what is often left out in the historical narrative and usually goes underrepresented or untold completely.

Our boat and walking tour led by Ms. Jennifer Tosch was another way that I was able to reflect on how big of a role race has played in the formation of Amsterdam. She pointed out many examples of Moors heads being used as symbols of power and money and the ways in which Black presence was usually used to serve the same purpose in art.

In my experiences here in Amsterdam so far I have been feeling what it’s like to be Black a woman and American in the Netherlands, and I have seen that these issues surrounding race do not go away even with the implementation of progressive policies such as those here.

-Glo

[bonnersinamsterdam]

Even though the group has only been in Amsterdam for a grand total of 3-days, I think it's safe to say that many of us have learned more in that time than we may have on the internet researching the issues we hold dearest. On the topic of issues that hit home, in today's session with our instructor Bear, we got the opportunity to learn about the LGBT, queer, and activist communities here in Amsterdam. More importantly, our conversations about activism reminded the majority of the group of sticky situations in which activism does not always look like an outward display of one’s own politics. Even though we were lucky enough to make pancakes for many wonderful people at one of the local health clinics, not everyone has the time, energy, or ability to engage in these certain kinds of activism.

Getting the real dish, from our lovely tour guide Glenn, on the Underground Tour of the Red Light District, was an experience that left me with wayyyyy more questions than answers! For instance, the drug policies that treat hard drug addiction as a mental health issue, the legalization of sex work, the rather chill laws on soft drugs (including the infamous Green herbal giant, Marijuana); all end up making the Netherlands a safer and more pragmatic country than the US—which has higher incarceration rates due to drug related arrests, higher rates of STDs, higher rates of teen pregnancy.... And the list goes on! Maybe the group can collect some more tips for America tomorrow, but I think today gave me plenty to think about!

P.s. After all the walking today, I felt like my feet were about to fall off... 😳😖 So now I know my boots are definitely NOT made for walking!

Signing out y'all, Dru

[bonnersinamsterdam]

Tuesday, January 12th

I didn't realize how tired I was from all the traveling and sessions on Monday until I got to bed at night and slept like a baby. Which was great, since I woke up this morning feeling very refreshed and ready for the day's events. While I didn't experiment with the sprinkles on bread this morning - a Dutch breakfast speciality which I will get to trying in the next few days - I did try some deliciously baked bread and cheese for breakfast. I've also really missed having milk as a given breakfast item in the States and having so much of it here is quite refreshing.

Upon reaching the office, we delved into discussion immediately. The Naar Netherlands documentary was particularly interesting with regards to the ways in which it portrayed "Dutch culture". I couldn't help but think about families I know that have immigrated to more developed parts of the world in recent years, and their continued struggle with trying to assimilate in order to achieve success, but consistently being unable to. What further struck me were the histories that the video chose to develop and focus on - the East India Company and West India Company, and all the trade and wealth it brought along with it, for instance, and the ones it chose to silence - colonialism and the slave trade. The conflict of interest between the master and counter narratives was something I observed throughout the rest of the day, especially during the Black Heritage Tour. I couldn't help but think about the fact that the information I was getting access to would most likely not be part of a more generic day tour of the city. I'd be interested in taking a day tour of the city just so that I can better identify these differences, although I am not sure if I will have time for this given all the options I already have to choose from!

Tonight was our first night alone, which was all sorts of exciting and nerve wracking. Nia, Benji and I chose to eat dinner at a Surinamese-Chinese restaurant called Albina, upon Yvette's suggestion. The food was delicious, cheap, and totally worth the while at the end of a long day. We also managed to make it back home, with the help of some very nice people willing to confirm our directions. I'm definitely feeling more confident about traveling alone within the city now, and will perhaps manage to keep my transport card with me throughout the entirety of this trip.*

*My transport card and I have had an interesting relationship. I managed to drop it outside the tram today, and watched the doors close without being able to do anything to stop it. Luckily, everyone in our group is wonderful and quick on their feet, and Trecia and I managed to get off at the next stop, walk back, and retrieve it. I do still think there might be some benefit to me switching my card with someone else!

Sakina Lavingia

P.S. It was also my mom’s birthday, so happy birthday to her!!

[bonnersinamsterdam]

Nia Owen

Hello! My name is Nia and I am a sophomore at Oberlin College. I am studying Art History and Photography, but often the fields of Gender, Sexuality & Feminist Studies complement and inspire my artistic endeavors. In Amsterdam I am hoping to explore the topic of sex work deeper, in order to inform research that I intend to complete at Oberlin. I am hoping to experience a very different Dutch perspective to this issue that will contrast how it is dealt with in my native country of Wales as well as America. 

[sunnyrhodesahead]

I just found out I got 1 of 15 spots to be a Bonner Scholar for the 2017 class at Rhodes!!!

Asfghdjhfgsf infinite happiness. Service work in intercity Memphis <3