IVCC trio tour Dutch colleges as part of professional exchange

Three Illinois Valley Community College employees recently visited The Netherlands and discovered a country steeped in sustainability – environmentally, educationally and domestically.

Instructors Amanda Cook Fesperman and Jill Urban-Bollis and staff member Tina Hardy had hosted four Dutch educators last fall as part of a professional and cultural exchange, and this spring it was their turn to stay with their new colleagues in The Netherlands. They visited their hosts’ colleges, met professional colleagues, participated in family life and activities, and toured local landmarks.

Hardy, who coordinates IVCC’s Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity, appreciated the teamwork that framed the work with students. “They provide many layers of support for students. The framework is systematic and coordinated.”

“The Dutch put a lot of time into making sure that all students succeed, supplying professional social workers, classroom aides, mentors and a lot of one-on-one time with students,” said Cook Fesperman, who teaches political science and history and coordinates IVCC’s Study Abroad program. Students as young as 12 choose a career path and actively prepare for it, she said, remembering a 12-year-old she met who was already on his way to becoming a farmer.

Urban Bollis, who teaches psychology and education at IVCC, visited a vocational college that offered more than 95 different training courses. Outside of two or three days in a classroom, students spent the rest of week completing internships and learning hands-on, she said.

At Aventus College, where Hardy and Cook Fesperman’s hosts worked, a campus restaurant was run by students. Deluxe coffee machines were available everywhere. “That seems trivial, but I found that to be a hub of collegiality. People gathered around them and talked. I loved that!” Hardy said.

Cook Fesperman stayed with two different hosts and also visited Tilburg University and Yonder School, and Urban Bollis visited Graafschap College.

In a host family that included three teens attending high school-and college, Hardy – a mother of three sons – experienced life with daughters for the first time.

It seemed to Hardy like most weeknights people were involved in a sport or community activity. Urban Bollis accompanied her young, single host on a bike ride to Germany for dinner, to several family gatherings and to the school’s student fair at a local farm, which had been the students’ project. 

Cook Fesperman’s host, a single mother, “would be considered poor in the United States, but in The Netherlands, everyone has a decent standard of living regardless of their income. The Dutch take care of each other.”

The environment at home and at school stood out for them all. Urban Bollis was struck by a learning environment that radiated tranquility through design that allowed lots of windows and natural light, and flexible space uses.

Cook Fesperman appreciated how the country welcomed and provided for an immigrant population. “Some of the children had never been to school in their home countries because war or poverty made it impossible. Now they learn the language and culture and can finish their education and get a job.”

“Everyone has the option to build or rebuild their lives with support,” Hardy said. “People help those in need with programs that offer them a boost while moving them toward independence.”

The Dutch value and practice sustainability, the women noted. Bicycles outnumber cars, and many of those vehicles are electric-powered or hybrid. Visitors see few windmills but many solar panels. Composting and recycling are embraced by the populace.

Ultimately, “The Netherlands reminded me of Wisconsin: farms, fields, cows. There was a huge emphasis on cheese, too! What more could a Wisconsin girl want?!” Hardy joked.

Urban Bollis was astounded by the variety of flowers. Looking back, she summed up her trip: “What I experienced can never be read in books or looked up in any online resource!”