Today was another eventful day in Amsterdam as we visited windmills, the Anne Frank Museum and ate dinner with Alumni. The day began with a visit to Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is known for its collection of traditional Dutch windmills.

Dutch windmills played a key role in their history as they were crucial for powering equipment and controlling water levels. I learned these windmills were very sustainable as they accomplished various tasks without using as much manual labor. Furthermore, they used wind power instead of fossil fuels. The windmills also worked with nature as they managed water levels which preserved wetland ecosystems. One other role they played that I learned about is that they acted as a helpful vantage point during the Dutch War of Independence.

After visiting the windmills, we went to the Anne Frank House Museum. Here, I learned much more about the harsh conditions that Jewish families faced in Amsterdam. The Museum preserved the secret annex of Anne Frank and her family and allowed us to see the cramped and difficult conditions they were forced to endure. After this we finished off the night by eating dinner with Pitt alumni that now live in the Netherlands. It was a great experience getting to hear the various stories and learning how they ultimately ended up living in the Netherlands.