On our last full day in The Netherlands, we visited one of the most important and third largest city in the country, The Hauge. The Hauge is the seat of government of The Netherlands, although not the official capital, and is also home to many international institutions like the International Court of Justice. During our visit we saw many of the important and historical buildings as well as the famous Peace Palace.

Cooperation is essential for sustainable development globally, as SDGs 16 and 17 demonstrate. The Hauge is a place where that happens, and walking through the streets I could certainly feel that international influence. Seeing all the different embassies reminds us that our ultimate goal as engineers is to find solutions that benefit all, not just one specific region or group of people. True sustainability demands countries and groups to work together for the greater good.

It has been an amazing two weeks exploring The Netherlands and learning so much about sustainability. This trip has certainly expanded my perspective on how we live in America and what we can do to make our society better. I plan on returning to the United States with a reinvigorated drive to learn for and work towards a greener, happier life for all Americans. The Dutch have been incredible hosts and guides through the many unknown and new experiences. What I’ve learned in these two weeks surpasses anything that could be taught in a classroom.