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Seventeen ��ɫ��Ƶ students from 13 academic majors traveled to the Netherlands in June and July for a three-week faculty-led study abroad program called Livable Cities & Responsible Futuring. Designed by Professors Mark Neupert, Ph.D., and Hallie Neupert in collaboration with James Madison University, Montclair State University, and Education First Study Abroad, the students examined urban planning, architecture, and sustainability through anthropology, art, design thinking, and economics.

The Netherlands was selected for its national emphasis on public transportation, urban sustainability, and circular societies (systems where materials, energy, and resources are reused to minimize waste). The Neuperts also have regional expertise in the area and professional networks built through years of research and documentary filmmaking.

Students—from electrical engineering and cybersecurity to health care management and communication—explored walkable, bike-friendly communities connected by public transit, surveyed how sustainable societies are designed and supported, and developed ideas for how to incorporate the systems into their future careers. 

“From integrated transit and human-scaled city design to strategies for sustainable living, students observed firsthand how these principles shape places in which people live, work, and play,” said Mark Neupert, Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences. By visiting Amsterdam, Enschede, Rotterdam, and Leiden, students experienced how these principles are applied in cities, small or large, historical or modern. “They can be used anywhere,” Mark said.

“When I came on the trip, I wanted to get out and explore, but at the same time, I also think it’s important as someone going into healthcare to experience different cultures, see different people and how they live, and bring that back to relate to my type of work,” said Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging junior Jenna Mercurio. 

In Enschede, students participated in the International Student Summit at the University of Twente. “Throughout this four-day workshop, students were constantly challenged to think about the perspectives and attitudes of a multitude of stakeholders within the context of circular societies,” said Hallie Neupert, Professor of Management. “Rather than jump straight to a solution when presented with a problem statement, students quickly recognized the value of including diverse perspectives in designing the future in which they want to live.”

Rotterdam served as a case study for livable cities: communities designed to support safety, accessibility, and cultural engagement. The concept is important for ��ɫ��Ƶ students as they prepare to build the future of the United States. Mechanical engineers like sophomore Samantha Bricker might design and implement sustainable systems for energy, transportation, and infrastructure. Respiratory therapists like sophomore Armelle Setters can contribute by advocating for and promoting clean air and healthy environments. 

Sophomore Geomatics student Zac Adragna applied these lessons to land surveying. “They [the Netherlands] use geomatics quite a bit, and I think I can bring it back to my profession by having a good mindset about layout for things like placing parks near certain buildings or districts and how to mix everything together to make a sustainable environment.”

In Leiden, students learned from a city planner how urban design conceals electrical infrastructure to preserve scenic and architectural views. Electrical Engineering senior Jordan Thielke brought it back to his major by asking, “How did you incorporate those into the historic buildings?” Other topics ��ɫ��Ƶ students focused on included taking advantage of hydro power, affordable housing, and how accessibility for disabilities was incorporated into historic districts.

A highlight of the trip was the Netherlands’ transit system. “It’s so nice to leave our hotel and say, ‘Let’s go tap in,’” said Jenna. The Netherlands uses contactless payment systems for public transit, which raised security questions for Cybersecurity sophomore Addison Price. “I was already looking into the Klamath Falls transit system and how it can be improved and protected from outside attackers,” Addison said. “My degree program director, Gary Lomprey, worked with the Portland Airport to secure their points of contact for check-in, and I want to see if something similar could help the Klamath Falls transit.”

In addition to the course objectives, the experience was designed to support ��ɫ��Ƶ’s institutional student learning outcomes, including teamwork, communication, cultural and global awareness, diverse perspectives, and ethical reasoning. Students learned about Dutch history, art and architecture, and embraced Dutch culture and public life. “The trip took our students to three world-class art museums: the Rijksmuseum, Kröller-Müller, and the Lakenhal, where students were introduced to the Dutch masters, from Rembrandt and Vermeer to Van Gogh and Mondrian,” Mark said. “We took in an organ concert at the Grote Kerk in Haarlem, historic windmills at the Kinderdijk, visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, and attended the Lakenfeesten, a city-wide celebration in Leiden with boat parades, art markets, concerts, and dragon boat races. Students ate all sorts of Dutch food, including pancakes, bitterballen, poffertjes, and cheese, of course. We even made a quick day trip to Gouda, so students could try the famous cheese in its home city. All in all, it was an amazing cultural experience too.” 

Professors Mark and Hallie both teach general education courses at ��ɫ��Ƶ, and students were enrolled in a mix of art, anthropology, and economics courses. “At ��ɫ��Ƶ, even our general education requirements can be applied and career-relevant experiences,” Mark said. “I am so proud of how our ��ɫ��Ƶ students handled this experience. They jumped in and gave it their all. Several Dutch guides and workshop leaders commented to both Hallie and me how impressed they were with the engagement and curiosity of our students. They were great ambassadors for ��ɫ��Ƶ.”

Funding for the trip was supported by students individually, along with backing from Give a Hoot Day, when ��ɫ��Ƶ donors matched donations made by students, families, friends, and teachers. The ��ɫ��Ƶ Foundation and Alumni Association made contributions to fund specific events; the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management provided a tuition discount for the coursework; and the Office of Global Engagement helped with pre-travel arrangements. “Such a trip is an expensive undertaking, and we are thankful that many people in the ��ɫ��Ƶ community helped make it more manageable for the students and their families,” Hallie said.

Looking toward the future, Mark and Hallie will meet with collaborators to debrief and plan for future student experiences. “The experience is a prototype that we will expand on, so stay tuned!” Mark said. 

The full list of students who participated includes:

Zac Adragna - Geomatics

Sam Bricker - Mechanical Engineering

Zane Cogliser - Cybersecurity

Walter Corthell - Renewable Energy Engineering

Jess Crafton - Mechanical Engineering

Tim Fincher - Communication Studies

Walter Hartley – Biology-Health Sciences

Bryson Ladd - Mechanical Engineering

Audrey Langdon - Pre-Nursing

Raymond Loby - Mechanical Engineering

Jenna Mercurio - Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology

Cole O'Halloran - Cybersecurity

Jillian Placko - Medical Imaging

Addison Price - Cybersecurity

Armelle Setters - Respiratory Care

Delanie Stiffler - Health Care Management and Marketing

Jordan Thielke - Electrical Engineering

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