Why the Netherlands?
The Netherlands would be underwater if it weren’t for the power of innovation: with a quarter of their country under sea level, the Dutch have had to engineer their communities for centuries. The result is a society deeply connected to their land, and to design and technology.
Visiting the Netherlands allows us to examine how challenges can lead to opportunities – and how serious solutions can also be a lot of fun! On this program we’ll meet with Dutch designers and start-ups to consider systems of sustainable engineering and urban infrastructure. We will get hands-on experience with the dynamics of wind power, biking, product design, and other technologies as we explore how culture, diversity, and history can shape innovation. Can the Netherlands inspire new styles of ingenuity and design?
2-3 Nights - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
A History of Innovation
We will arrive in the Netherlands and head to Rotterdam, the Netherland’s second-largest city, where we’ll dive in by visiting tech companies, start-ups, and an incredibly cool food hall. We’ll head outside the city by the stunning coastline to see how the country grapples with constant rising sea levels and travel by boat to the Kinderdijk UNESCO site to understand how the Dutch have stayed dry for centuries.
2-3 Nights - Eindhoven, The Netherlands
A Capital of Design
On the way to Eindhoven we will visit innovative greenhouses, try some local cheese, and head for a bike ride in the country side.
Eindhoven is a global hub for design and engineering. We’ll learn about the city’s evolution at the Philips Museum, check out the old warehouse-turned-start-up district, and take part in a locally-run design workshop.
2-3 Nights - Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Innovation and Community
We’ll end with the biggest city in the Netherlands and one of the most spectacular in Europe. Walking through the city and riding on trams and boats, we’ll see how canals and water have impacted everything about life in the Netherlands. We’ll also consider the diversity of the city at a few local food stops, take time to visit the Anne Frank House, and ultimately close our program reflecting on how this small country has become a center of innovation and design.
