Drs. Kaatz and Calfano accompanied MSU students on a Spring Break trip to Amsterdam and Belgium during the week of March 9th. The trip to the Low Countries offered MSU students Amsterdam’s governmental arrangements are quite different from those found in the United States. The municipal government of Amsterdam is divided into districts which have their own governing councils, while the city has one city council that rules on most of the larger issues. This government then operates within the Dutch federal system which in turn is part of the European Union. Also, Amsterdam and the Netherlands have a history of political and religious tolerance that is being challenged by recent political developments. The political and economic status of immigrant minority groups in The Netherlands is a topic with particular resonance for US students. Finally, both countries have to deal with environmental challenges from the North Sea and man-made challenges from war and occupation. Becoming and staying a livable place for their citizens has been and continues to be a challenge. Students traveling to the Low Countries received first-hand knowledge of public works projects, city planning, social issues, and wars’ effects on land and society. The group visited numerous sites during the week, including the Royal Palace, Parliament, Peace Palace, Rijksmuesum, and the Ypres Battlefield.