Ms. Rossy Garcia
Wake County

“It’s hard to believe that we left North Carolina a week ago. Our departure from RDU feels so distant. Time does some very weird things when you’re jet-lagged, learning nonstop, and walking thousands of steps a day. I’m truly grateful for the Borchardt Award as it’s allowed me to participate in this fantastic program. In one week, we’ve packed in so much, from visiting schools and meeting students, administrators, and teachers, to engaging with staff from the Ministry of Education. It’s been a jam-packed learning experience.

Our first stop today was Utrecht, where we visited the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF). This 77-year-old organization supports asylum seeking individuals in the Netherlands, helping them continue their education or re-enter their professions. UAF is a human rights-focused organization, partially funded by the government but increasingly reliant on private donations and industry grants. Their mission is clear: education is a human right. They offer help with language acquisition, mentorship, and navigating complex systems, centered on three values: independence, sustainability, and speed. We heard firsthand from two former UAF clients, now employees. Their stories were powerful reminders of the challenges and resilience of those starting over in a new country. Naturally, we wanted to connect the dots between what we were hearing and what happens at home. A lively discussion followed and two of our group members gave a concise explanation of the U.S. federal system, not the easiest thing to do before lunch. This helped our Dutch hosts understand how our system, that beautifully flawed experiment, can complicate support for newcomers in American schools.

Next, we traveled northeast to Dronten to visit the Warmonderhof Biodynamic Farming School. We were greeted with a delicious lunch, followed by a farm tour and an insightful lecture on the school’s philosophy. This was my first exposure to biodynamic farming, which combines soil, plants, animals, and the environment with a spiritual twist. The goal is a balanced, self-sustaining ecosystem that goes beyond organic farming. It’s also one of the few postsecondary schools offering housing and meals. Students can begin as young as 15, and the school welcomes those from pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO) backgrounds. It was eye-opening to see how they blend practical skills with environmental awareness.

Afterward, we headed back to Amsterdam where the group split for dinner. Four of us treated ourselves to a Michelin-starred meal at A-Fusion, an Asian fusion restaurant that delivered a delicious multi-course experience. We ended the night with some local live music. Thanks to Amsterdam’s easy to navigate public transportation, getting back was easy, and we were all ready to crash and recharge for another busy day.“

Mrs. Abby Bentley
Haywood County

“Today’s programming began at the refugee school where we learned about the unique support systems the Netherlands has in place for individuals who had to flee their homes. War, political, economic, and climate refugees are a growing population around the world and migrate in search of better futures for their families. However, it is an unfortunate reality that seeking refuge in foreign nations can be isolating and limiting, especially for scholars who may not be able to easily integrate into their professions due to cultural changes. As our presenter stated, “people leave a lot behind but take some things with them” in reference to their talents and societal contributions. 

The UAF (the foundation for refugee students) recognizes the value of integrating refugees into the Dutch culture and prioritizes this mission through language, financial, legal, and mental health services. In many ways this foundation sets an admirable example of how unfortunate global circumstances can be transformed into beautiful stories of cultural enrichment and a celebration of diversity. Our presenters facilitated an open discussion around differing immigration policies across our nations. The discussion left us with the task of balancing conflicting emotions of disappointment in policy failures but hope in advocacy. The overall message I walked away with was the value of working with people of different backgrounds and uplifting those around us to reach their highest potential. 

As the day continued, we left the city and explored the world of biodynamic farming at the Warmonderhof School of Agriculture in farm country. This method of agriculture aims to work in reciprocity with nature by prioritizing soil health, mimicking natural conditions for livestock, and utilizing sustainable tactics to maximize crop production while maintaining environmental health. Some of these methods include crop rotation, composting, manual labor (instead of machines), and the maintenance of functional biodiversity. Synergy is a concept that governs biodynamic farming. Within the agro-ecology framework, synergy is described as “enhancing positive ecological interactions and complementarity amongst the elements” (referring to plants, animals, soil, and water). This concept although different in its elements echoes the message of this morning’s presentation. Synergy must exist not only across our food and environmental systems but also across our societal and cultural systems if we want to reach our highest potential. The intentional integration of all elements (in reference to nature or people) creates more productive, enriched, and sustainable systems. 

Maybe lessons from existing in cities and farms aren’t as different as one may think on the surface. 

Thank you to the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching for allowing me to attend such a productive program.“