Teacher recalls trip to Holland

A Danville Community College English exchange program in Holland shows that teachers have a lot in common when it comes to teaching young people.
Florence Carter works with helping DCC students improve their English skills to be more employable in the job market. The Halifax County resident was in Holland from late-May to early June to visit her colleague, Maria Van Heumen.
“I found out that there are a lot of similarities between my hostess’ college and mine,” Carter said.
DCC and the school in Holland are two-year colleges. They offer programs like machine repair, car repair and hair care. The college in Holland offered a fashion design program not seen in many two-year colleges.
There are differences in the two schools.
Danville Community in a large campus taking in 86 acres and a growing number of buildings – including a new healthcare and student center.
The school in Holland consists of a large building where you can find three or four levels depending where you are.
DCC students should be thankful for the schedules they have, Carter said. A lot of students’ school day begins at 10 a.m. and they may not have another class until 3 p.m. Students at the Holland school go to class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Not all of the students are from Holland, she said. Students are there from all over the world so they can get an education.
Carter talked to students from Angola, Afghanistan, Kenya, Turkey and Morocco. They know an education is what will help them build a career.
Companies in Holland have access to student class records because they will wind up working for them one day if they do well. That doesn’t happen in the U.S. because of privacy laws, she said.
Schools help students get noticed by companies through trade shows. Depending on the type of study program, students prepared different types of food or showed off clothing they made in class.
Of course, most people were drawn to the food displays where the students displayed their creativity, sort of a trial by taste.
“This was a great opportunity for me,” Carter said.
Carter was amazed by her host’s community. The post office, baker, butcher and grocery were all 10 minutes away. Van Heumen would carry her own grocery bag to the store to pick up food items.
When Van Heumen was not able to take Carter to see parts of the country, her friends were able to lend a hand. They were proud to show Carter the sights in their country.
“It’s important to learn about the lives of other people,” Carter said.
Contact staff writer Bernard Baker at or at (434) 791-7986.