Page 11 - NJC Newsletter 2014-Spring

Nicole Liddy ‘14 at the entrance to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam
Each academic year, two to three select teams of NJC students are chosen to attend a simulation of the United Nations in appealing cities such as Berlin or Leiden in the fall or St. Petersburg in the spring. Students from local and international schools spend four days participating in a mock session of the UN. Speakers, including local politicians and diplomats, address the students on the real problems facing the global community.
One last benefit of visiting or even living in Amsterdam, especially for the linguistically challenged, is that pretty much everyone speaks English, and most speak it very well. So, to consider a post- secondary semester abroad, or indeed living here, would make for an easy transition.
On to Leiden we travelled...and what a pleasant surprise! This is a large town and the best way to describe it, I believe, is a cross between its larger neighbour, Amsterdam, and the equally quaint, peaceful and charming town of Bruges, Belgium. The canals, the markets, the bicycles, the architecture, and the history are all reminiscent of the capital city, while the size, the peaceful atmosphere and the picturesque surroundings are similar to its Belgian counterpart.
a ten-minute walk from our hotel. Then, for some, it was a 30-minute walk to the Van Gogh Museum, walking past the incredibly beautiful Rijksmuseum where, among other artists, Rembrandt’s masterpieces can be appreciated. That is another one of the charms of this city. You can walk pretty much everywhere quite easily. Pedestrian areas abound, as do canals. I had forgotten that the well-known Dutch beer, Amstel, is named after the city’s principal canal. And, as you walk next to the canals and through the pedestrian areas, you take in such sites as the tulip market and the flower market, passing charming cafés and restaurants.
If you prefer not to walk these beautiful streets (staircases are few and far between, unlike in Neuchâtel) there are other practical modes of transport. You are more likely to have to jump out of the way of a cyclist or a tram in the Netherlands than a car. Bicycles are ubiquitous, with their ringing bells to warn you of impending danger! Same for the trams. The happy result is far fewer cars causing traffic congestion— and pollution—in the core of the city. (Are you listening Toronto?) Bicycles and first-rate transportation are a welcome means of transport in this large cosmopolitan city!
Mr. Boyer and Class of 2014 participants,
And finally—the people. Canadians have a reputation for being
The Rijksmuseum
friendly and hospitable. Well, the Dutch are every bit as friendly and hospitable in my experience. You can sense it in the way they speak to you and in their willingness to assist the occasionally helpless tourist. Although the Netherlands is bereft of the kind of landscapes we find throughout Switzerland and in parts of Canada, they have created idyllic places to live and visit nonetheless. My recommendation? Put Amsterdam and Leiden on your bucket list—for all the right reasons.
Wm. S. Boyer, Head of School
Model UN in Leiden
news and souvenirs for alumni, families and friends 9