Author: Jacob Lair

I really enjoyed exploring around cities in Germany. I know some German going into the trip so the biggest joy I had on this trip is being able to speak to the locals in their own language. There were some fun things that I have learned while in Germany specifically with the culture.

One of the biggest things that I have noticed is how Germans like to take their time during their activities. This can refer to eating at a restaurant, taking a break from work, or just walking slowly in the streets. Generalizing Americans as people who are always on the go it is really nice to see people taking time in their days to relax and enjoy life. This concept reminds me of a sermon that I heard a while ago. The sermon was talking about New Years resolutions but there was a twist. The pastor was suggesting that when looking at our own lives, think about what we could take away or omit from them to make life better. Most people think about what they could add to their lives to make it better however very few think about what they can take away. This new absence gives them the time to relax, listen to God, and simply enjoy life. 

Coming back to America, I hope to do that. I hope to enjoy life at a slower pace and enjoying the here and now instead of racing after the future. 

A little while ago, our group visited a company named Steelcase. This company focuses on helping companies increase their productivity and efficiency through productive working environments. AMAs we were walking through the company, I kept thinking about how successful this company is and their goal is not to sell as much product as possible. They place high value on creating strong relations with their customers or as they would call them, guests. 

Each work environment was different from the previous. There were rooms dedicated to individual use and others meant from large groups, along with different technology. One of the more interesting systems that they use is a tablet outside each rooms so that reservations for the room can be made. Calvin has similar technology in some locations but it is not used to the same level that Steelcase uses it for.

As we continued asking questions to our guide, he was able to help us understand how their company keeps ahead of the competition. Using innovation and research with talented employees, they are able to gain business with large companies. Overall, Steelcase is a thriving company not only because of their high quality merchandise but their innovative approach to helping companies succeed in competitive markets. 

As we went through the streets and the companies in Amsterdam, all of the groups noticed very interesting things that are different than the culture and practices back in the United States. The most impressive aspect that we noticed was the ability for the majority of the residents in Amsterdam to speak English. Going into an area that speaks Dutch, it was wonderful for ourselves to be able to speak well with others in the Netherlands.

The city was also vibrant in their transportation. Besides pedestrians, the majority of the people traveled on their bicycles. This caused our group many times to scurry away from an ambitious biker. The street layout also had traffic lights specifically for bikers which is extremely uncommon compared to the United States. The other transportation that was used was trolleys. Note: These were easier for us to dodge. Then the last major transportation was vehicles however they were rare as we approached closer to the middle of the city.

The layout of Amsterdam is amazing to look at firsthand. Firstly, the majority of the buildings are different compared to the one directly next to it. This means that there is something interesting to look at on every single building. Then the city is also known for their canals. While they were originally used to help create the city, they are extremely pretty to have. Ever so, some people live in house boats that are placed on the canals. Overall, Amsterdam is a place filled with friendly companies, crazy bikers, and new sights at every street corner.