Day 5: First Day of Class

This morning was our first meeting in the classroom at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (or University of Amsterdam, for you non-Dutchies out there).

We took a quiz over some of the material in our trip handbook, then we talked about socially optimal conditions and how markets should be government regulated when they are inefficient. I also learned two new terms: "economies of agglomeration" and "economies of conglomeration". The difference between the two is that agglomeration refers to the tendency of like businesses to cluster together near one location, and conglomeration refers to businesses that work off of each other, like having a fast food restaurant next to a bar or a gas station next to a car wash.

The class also spent some time discussing the differences we've noticed between the United States and Amsterdam. For instance, I've heard more languages spoken here than in any other locale I've ever visited. English, Spanish, German, Dutch, French, a little Italian, Portuguese and Chinese mostly. Everyone seems to be very well-dressed. Even small children seem to have a better fashion sense than most of the students in our group! Most of the men and women we've run into could easily be fashion models. Europeans also tend to smoke much more than Americans (weed, sure, but primarily cigarettes), but they have a better diet than we do. Amsterdam natives are very fit because they walk and bike everywhere. Public transportation is stellar, and some folks have cars but most seem to get around on foot, on a bicycle, or on a motor scooter.
Speaking of public transportation, I've noticed that the tram rides are annoyingly quiet. Nobody says a single word to each other. Honestly, the only time I've heard noise on the train is if somebody is on their cell phone or if our group is on board! If it wasn't already clear that we're Americans by the way we dress, you know it's us when we take over the tram.

We also came across an issue trying to split the cost of a bill at lunch the other day. European restaurants won't do it. It's a royal pain trying to collect the proper amount of cash from everyone while ensuring everyone also receives the correct change. While out to eat, service also tends to take a bit longer. I experienced this firsthand at dinner tonight. Eating meals at a cafe are a much slower, relaxed experience, at least in Amsterdam. It seems like they place a much larger focus on the social aspect of spending time with other people over food than we do in the States.