Today was our last day in the Netherlands and we spent it exploring The Hague or Den Haag in Dutch. Visiting Den Haag was an incredible experience as it is the country’s administrative center and is also where the King lives.
During the visit Enno taught us about the government in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, meaning the king or queen serves as an important symbol for the nation while also holding some political power. The influence of the monarch is defined and limited by the Netherland’s constitution. A great thing I learned about the Netherlands is that they have a diverse government and promote gender equality. While walking around we had the chance to visit several governmental buildings such as embassies and international courts. One of the most interesting things we saw was the Peace Palace, which is where the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the United Nations International Court of Justice reside. The Peace Palace is a great example of something that helps guide the world into a sustainable future. The Permanent Court of Arbitration unites diplomatic representatives from different nations. Conversely, The International Court of Justice is a formal court with fifteen judges from around the world that have been elected by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. Both courts work together to uphold the law and make sure people are held accountable for their actions. This is an important aspect of sustainability as it helps work towards a safer and more equitable future for everyone.
The time I spent in the Netherlands has taught me so much. I have learned and now have a better understanding about Dutch culture, history and sustainability. I am excited to use what I have learned during this experience in my career as an engineer or whatever else I decide to pursue.