Day three of our trip threw us deep into the history of the Netherlands. Our morning began in the village of Zaanse Schans, where we explored traditional Dutch windmills, clogs, and cheese-making practices that date back centuries. In contrast, the afternoon brought us to a far heavier chapter of history as we visited the Anne Frank House.
Dutch culture continues to impress me. During our visit to Zaanse Schans, we encountered remarkable feats of engineering that demonstrated just how innovative the Dutch were long before modern technology. The windmills, in particular, were far ahead of their time. They harnessed the power of the wind to pump water, cut wood, and grind grain; tasks that were essential to daily life and to the development of the country itself. These early innovations were not only clever but also played a major role in shaping the Netherlands for centuries to come.
After spending the morning learning about the Dutch mastery of wind power, we traveled by metro back into Amsterdam to confront a much darker part of history. Our tour of the Anne Frank House told the story of Anne Frank and her family as they hid from Nazi persecution during the Holocaust. Although I had been interested in the Holocaust since I was younger, I had never visited a museum dedicated to it, so I didn’t know what to expect. The experience completely exceeded my expectations. The story was presented with incredible care, and I walked through the rooms with chills the entire time.
What struck me most was how recent this history really is. It’s only about eighty years ago. It’s difficult to grasp that Anne Frank could very well still be alive today had her life not been taken so cruelly.
Yet even in the midst of tragedy, there is purpose in remembrance. One of the United Nations’ sustainability goals is the promotion of peace, and places like the Anne Frank House help ensure that the world never forgets the Holocaust. By preserving and sharing these stories, we are reminded of the consequences of hatred and encouraged to build a better future.
Today was deeply impactful, and I believe my classmates and I are all better for having experienced it.