"We learn more here in two weeks than at home in a month!"

More and more Vonk students are choosing to pursue a part of their education abroad. Conversely, the same is happening in return. For example, recently, four Norwegian and one Finnish student spent two weeks attending a module at the Vonk Horse Husbandry program in Alkmaar. This occurred as part of the Amoove21 project, a program that brings together students and professionals from four countries. Within the Erasmus+ project Amoove21, Vonk collaborates with schools from Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Friesland. Over the past few years, nine international modules have been developed in the fields of Animal Care, Livestock and dairy farming, and Equine & horse management.

Students Chantal, Katharina, Tiina, Ida, and Catharina attended the module 'Horse driving, breeding Dutch horses, and managing welfare in stables.' A mouthful, but teacher John Sintenie is happy to explain what the module entails. "We show the students what we excel in here in the Netherlands; breeding horses and driving horse-drawn carriages, known as carriage driving. They also actively participated in the latter in practice. Over two weeks, they followed a full program, with lessons at school interspersed with excursions and visits to renowned companies in this field. Much attention was given to the Friesian horse." 

And what did the students think of it themselves? Katharina: "We are allowed to do much more here than in Norway. Just going outside with a horse and carriage, driving through the city, and participating in traffic. Never thought I would do that." The Finnish Tiina adds, "I find the education here better than at home; it goes much more in-depth. I have learned more here in two weeks than at home in a month." Chantal adds that they all fell for Ursul, the Friesian stallion of the program: "He's so cute!" Finally, they all find the Netherlands incredibly tidy, and the Dutch people very friendly. Is there anything perhaps that they didn't like so much in the Netherlands? Yes, you really eat almost nothing but bread all day!