Netherlands: Emily Asmann (Daily Life in Amsterdam)

After moving abroad, I realized how much daily routines form the foundation of my experiences and how important it is to pick up cultural and local habits to fully feel involved in the place around me. In Madison I would study at a coffee shop on State Street, hang out with friends at Memorial Terrace, or take a walk to James Madison Park— all things that are ingrained into the UW-Madison student culture. After being in my study abroad program in Amsterdam for some time now, I have found comfort with biking throughout the city and escaping the city by spending time in parks/nature.

Biking culture is something that cannot be ignored in Amsterdam, as it is something that the Dutch hold much pride in being the cycling capital of the world, along with the fact that there are more bikes in the city than actual people. Admittedly, in the beginning I was quite scared and intimidated by biking here because of the sheer number of bikers, but the bike lanes make cycling just as normal as walking on sidewalks. This has allowed me to explore the entire city efficiently, gain confidence in my independence abroad, and experience Dutch culture. I hope to bring my newfound love for cycling back to Madison.

Through biking I have been able to explore various parks, such as Vondelpark and Westerpark (my two favorites). The Dutch prioritize rest when paired with work, so it is encouraged after a busy day of classes to be with nature— rain or shine! It is nice to escape the bustling city life of beautiful canals sometimes by visiting a peaceful park that features ponds and trees that are slowly changing colors. Whether I am by myself and people watching or having a picnic with friends, I have found a lot of gratitude for being able to be a part of this program in this city.

 

Emily Asmann

Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin

Major: Art History, English, Gender & Women’s Studies

Program: University of Amsterdam Exchange

I chose this program because the city of Amsterdam is one of the best places for art museums and galleries in Europe and I think I will really enjoy the layout of campus. I want to make connections during this program term, personally and professionally, because I want to get more out of my comfort zone.