On the fourth day of my Long Study Tour, we embarked on a unique challenge: traversing the Dutch countryside unplugged. No phones. No distractions. Just us, the scenery, and our thoughts. The purpose? To shed light on our dependence on technology…and let’s just say, it wasn’t an easy task.
There were countless moments where my hand instinctively reached for my right pocket, only to meet a chilling moment of emptiness due to my phone not being there. It was clear how I relied on my device as a social crutch. I normally would turn to Tiktok to provide an escape but I couldn’t do that in this case. Moreover, the bus rides between the different destinations, I found myself faced with two options: engage with my thoughts and surroundings, or resort to conversation…and I’m not one who would voluntarily elect to sit with my own thoughts, so talking it was!
Ultimately I think my classmates and I were all in the same boat and the unplugged bus ride was filled with lively interactions because there was nothing else to do. It was actually really refreshing. I was either talking with my Professors or with my classmates around me. My classmates, Claudia, Gabbie, and Ben and I delved into discussions about our own college sports and differences in training. With Ben, the conversation flowed as we swapped our favorite movies, shows, and songs, even throwing in some predictions for the upcoming season of Stranger Things.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here we were, unplugged and traversing the Dutch countryside, headed to some of the most picturesque spots around Amsterdam: the windmills of Zaanse Schans, the tulip fields of Keukenhof, and even a beach! “Veronika (my professor),” I thought with a laugh (okay, maybe a touch of whining), “couldn’t you have chosen a different day for the phone detox!?” But thankfully, all hope wasn’t lost. Our Veronika armed us with disposable cameras, each loaded with 27 precious shots. It wasn’t the same level of digital immediacy I’m used to, but it meant we could still capture these special moments, albeit with a touch of old-school charm. The finite clicks of the disposable forced me to be much more selective of what I was taking a photo of. Those photos are currently in development but I’m more than excited to see how they turn out.
De Zaanse Schans
Our first stop on this trip was a postcard come to life. Instead of the usual tourist scramble to capture the perfect shot, the lack of my phone allowed me to be truly present. No filters, no instant gratification—just the views unfolding before me. My gaze lingered on the intricate details; the weathered wood of the windmills, textured with the passage of time, the vibrant flower beds bursting with color, and a family of ducks gliding gracefully across the still water. This is where I started to enjoy these unplugged moments.
Windmills & a family of ducks.
Photos by Emma H.
Keukenhof
Up next, the world-renowned tulips of Amsterdam. I’m not usually one for tourist spots, but Keukenhof Gardens? Breathtaking. Hilariously the first hour was spent dodging raindrops and seeking shelter. The tulips may have liked it but personally? Was not a fan. But then, the Dutch sunshine finally peeked through, and Keukenhof exploded with vibrant colors and the joyful faces of fellow visitors. Again, a breathtaking display of tulips in every color imaginable, meticulously arranged like a literal living work of art.
Now, being unplugged had its initial drawbacks. Let’s just say a wave of jealousy washed over me as I saw everyone capturing the scene with their phones. But then, a realization dawned. EVERYONE had their phones out. People were meticulously posing for that “perfect” Instagram shot, while I, phone-less, was left to my own devices (pun intended). It was both a comical and a bit unsettling. With this mass exodus to the digital world, we frequently sacrifice the moment itself in pursuit of the idealized image. I think the humor lies in the initial frustration of being unplugged, followed by the realization that everyone else is focused on capturing the moment rather than experiencing it. I wish people would just stop and smell the roses tulips ;).
Flowers, flowers, and more flowers!
Nederzandt beach
April weather in the Netherlands is definitely not ideal weather for a beach, but a beach is a beach right”? As this was the last destination of our journey, the opportunity to run into the North Sea and cold plunge was presented to us, and of course I was more than down to do it. Around this time of year, the North Sea sits at maybe 46°F (7°C)—so compared to cold plunging in Copenhagen not too bad, but still really freaking cold. Only five other brave classmates elected to run into the sea along with my professor, Veronika. It was such a euphoric feeling—I’m randomly running into the North Sea with my classmates and professor. We shrieked, we splashed, and we emerged, breathless and exhilarated, waking up from the long day preceding this moment. It was a time to be alive as cliche as that sounds. I remember Veronika agreeing to getting us hot chocolate for doing the plunge…but I have yet to see that hot chocolate *ahem*.
Cyberpsychology soldiers braving the North Sea.
Photo by Emma D.
And with that, the day’s activities concluded. Admittedly as soon as I got back to the hotel, I relapsed and spent at least an hour glued to my phone on Tiktok. Blissfully (or perhaps mindlessly?) scrolling through endless videos, I couldn’t help but chuckle at my own hypocrisy at hand. The phone detox may have ended, but the experience left a lasting impression. It was a reminder of the powerful hold technology has on me and my codependency on my devices. I will definitely challenge myself to partake in more of these unplugged days, but for now I’ll be on my phone.
If you’re a friend from home or school, a family member, another DIS student or just browsing, thanks for reading!
-Kyle
Chasing Copenhagen 