Information for this Year's Participants

1. Weather, dress, conduct and luggage.

This is a region dominated by a maritime climate - a continental climate moderated by the warm gulf stream - see also travel notes, distributed form various sources (e.g. US Dept. of State, 1987. Background Notes). You can expect mild weather this time of the year with intermittent sunshine and some short rain showers. (I would always bring a folding umbrella). Spring temperatures are somewhat similar to Michigan's. Dress lightly, casually, but PROFESSIONALLY! Take also a sweater and jacket for cooler days and boat tours). Bring good walking shoes. Please remember, by your dress, attitude and behavior you represent not only yourself but also MSU and your country.

Although the countries of destinations are rather liberal in social attitudes as you will experience, you will visit with professionals from major national institutions and international organizations, volunteering their knowledge and time. Please show them your appreciation and respect by you attitude and the quality of interactions - see course study assignments, and dress expectations.

We do expect that you behave yourself professionally under all circumstances. In program meetings, this means that you behave as AN ACTIVE LISTENER (audio-visual contact) and participate in the discourse through sharing relevant observations and asking relevant questions. The hotels (typically tourist to upper-tourist class hotels), are HOTELS not dormitories! Keep your room doors closed and the noise level down!

PACK RELATIVELY LIGHT! We reduced program costs by saving on transportation expenditures and by renting vans. In the vans, individual space will accommodate a carry-on bag and space for a soft-shell tote bag or medium size hard-shell luggage (dimensions limited to 24"x 16"x 10")! We have to share the luggage compartment of 2, 9-persons vans with 13 people. Therefore, be considerate. Excess luggage can (and will be) checked at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on arrival, if necessary and at your cost !

2. Personal expenditures and currency needs.

By saving on transportation cost we will have some discretionary funds available to pay for some meals and other group tour expenditures, such as entrance fees. I will discuss this in more detail during the trip. All breakfasts are included. We'll make some group decisions on other joint meal needs, preferences and options during the trip. You may also wish to eat at smaller establishments and make independent food arrangements to save costs. You should assume that most smaller and low-cost establishments do not take credit cards. For your local currency needs you may exchange cash or traveler checks upon arrival in Amsterdam (Airport), and at border crossings. Please remember that use of credit cards typically gets you better exchange rates.

3. Accommodations.

We are very fortunate to have been able to reserve mostly 3 star accommodations by working with a European consolidator. This provides you with additional options for personal care (e.g. laundry and dining). This also means that these services may be somewhat pricey in the major cities, and when used will be charged to your room and are your own responsibility . To save cost, take some detergent with you (small plastic bag) and use quick drying clothing which you can easily wash yourself. I would also encourage you to explore lower cost dining options ranging from supermarket provisions to small international eateries (e.g. in Amsterdam plenty of opportunities in the center and in Paris the Quatier Latin (near the hotel) around the Sourbonne University with a cosmopolitan student population).

4. Personal Safety.

As in all major European cities with past colonial ties, populations are diverse and cosmopolitan. In addition, the attitude towards drugs, alcohol and sex are rather liberal, especially in Amsterdam. This may be best characterized by a "live and let live attitude", including a certain (informal) tolerance for "soft drugs". The most significant problem as I perceive it is that this promotes petty theft and panhandling by a small transient, mostly expatriate and unemployed population to support substance dependency. Even in certain city areas where this is likely to occur, you should have nothing to fear if you walk in a small group and avoid the mid-night - early morning hours. Please, use common sense as you would while exploring a large US city, and avoid certain locations and personal confrontations.

5. Departure and Arrival Arrangements.

For those scheduled to depart and return on the non-stop flights from Detroit-Amsterdam v.v. the option to car-pool can be arranged on an individual basis or via carriage travel.

For those persons traveling independently, you must make arrangements to meet the rest of the group in the arrival hall at Schiphol Airport - Hertz car rental desk location. Check the arrival information regarding updated arrival times in the arrival hall. If you fail to meet the group, you must proceed independently by train to the station Ede\Wageningen and take a traintaxi (show you train ticket at the ticket window use - cost approx. $ 2.00) to IAC, Wageningen, about 10 miles.

6. Assignments (6a and c for course credit participants only, 6b for all)

a. Prepare two typewritten question for every site visit identified in the program (see class handout) using the course pack information provided or self-selected references associated with the topics identified. The questions should be in the sequence of the visits identified in the program and include you name. These questions are due the first Monday in May, at 5:00 pm and should be used to stimulate and focus discussion during the site visits. (email or drop off at my office and TAKE ONE SET WITH YOU FOR USE DURING THE PROGRAM VISITS).

b. During the orientation session, various topics of special interest will be identified. You will be assigned a topic based on your academic or career interest and asked to prepare a brief presentation for the group prior to departure. This includes an initial review of the topic based on major references, such as included in the course pack, in the form of a Powerpoint presentation that follows the proposed outline of your paper. This outline may be modified later in consultation with the Prof. Schultink, and must be used to structure the paper in the form of (sub)headings.

c. Keep a daily journal of your program experiences. This is an opportunity to reflect on our daily activities and commit the most significant subject matter to memory. Typical entries should include a summary of lectures and field experiences as well as social and cultural activities associated with the program. This typically requires at least the equivalent of 2-3 (clearly) handwritten pages per day. The personal journal should be turned in as part of the course grade.

d. Prepare a comparative analysis (e.g. US and New Zealand) by selecting one of the topics, environmental issues, or management applications identified during our first meeting or by selecting a topic of YOUR special interest in discussion with course instructor. A paper (max. 15 pages) is due the middle of the term, unless special arrangements are made. Sources include the reference material supplied, references provided during the trip, and identified as research output and notes compiled during the site visits.

The paper

The paper topics below should be treated on a comparative basis, that is, draw a comparative perspective addressing key concepts, policies, practices and outcomes using references found in the course pack and orientation material, identified during the study tour and supplemented with references after your return.

A standard paper (4 credits) is about 15 pages in length (standard spacing), includes a title page, at least 10-15 relevant references, is well-structured (including sub-headings) and concise. Sources should be cited in the text or in footnotes, were appropriate and supplied at the end of the paper.

Potential topics are listed in the course handout (others may be considered in discussion with the instructor).

The Journal

A (copy of a) journal with daily entries summarizing field visits, lecture notes and other significant program activities is due the same time as the paper (see above). It also should include one significant daily interaction or interview with someone not directly associated with the program. This may be a hotel or institutional staff member or someone you met somewhere else – include the name of the person and brief summary of the type of interaction or discussion

Your participation

Participation reflects your interaction with all people associated with this program experience, such a lecturers, staff members, hotel and other company employees, fellow students and others. This includes adherence to expected codes of dress and conduct, and time lines articulated. Please note that unacceptable behavior may result in a warning or instant dismissal from the program.

The course grade

The course grade is based on the final paper and initial presentation (50%), your journal (30%) and participation (20%).