Both study tracks stayed in the same accommodation at De Panoven, which immediately created a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. After all the “hard work,” we could have dinner together in the evening, catch up, and of course enjoy a few drinks.

The excursion was really fun, because after weeks of reading theory about governance, we finally got the chance to connect that knowledge to real-life practice! On the first day we visited the Provincial House of Gelderland, where civil servant Reindert Augustijn gave us a tour and a presentation. He explained the province’s policies on nitrogen, farmers, and nature.

The next day we went out on our own to interview local farmers. This gave us more insight into their daily lives, and it was a great opportunity to practice our interview skills. My group visited a hydrangea grower and a dairy farmer. The farmers were very open, and it was interesting to hear their knowledge about sustainability and their views on changing legislation in the Netherlands. And yes… we also took a moment to pet the calves ;)

All in all, it was an educational, fun, and very successful excursion!