Blog 4: Dutch Tulips in an American Courtroom
Bio
My name is Sidar Yilmaz, and I am an International Relations student from the Netherlands, currently pursuing my degree at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Kleve, Germany. This fall, I will join the International Center of the Capital Region (ICCR) and Hudson Valley Community College as an international intern. With family roots in Nijmegen, Albany's sister city, I am excited to experience the Capital Region firsthand while learning more about its history, communities, and international connections. During my internship, I look forward to contributing to ICCR's mission while sharing my experiences and discovering the people, culture, history, and opportunities that make New York's Capital Region unique.
Hi everyone,
Welcome back to my blog! As my internship continues, I keep discovering new places, meeting new people, and learning more about the Capital Region
of New York. One of the things I enjoy most about my internship at the
International Center of the Capital Region (ICCR) is that I get to experience the region in ways I probably would not as a regular visitor.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the New York Court of Appeals in Albany together with participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alongside Barbara Weiler, ICCR Ambassador Coordinator, and Bonnie Beard, an ICCR member.
The participants came from different countries in Central and South America and were visiting the Capital Region as part of their program, “The U.S. Judicial System: A Regional Project for the Western Hemisphere.”
The
Court of Appeals itself was already impressive to see. The courtroom is beautiful, with portraits of different judges surrounding the room. During our visit, we received an introduction to the judicial system in the United States and learned more about the role of the
Court of Appeals in
New York State.
One thing I found particularly interesting was learning about the position of the Court of Appeals within New York State’s judicial system. The Court of Appeals is the highest court in New York State, above the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. As someone who is still learning about the American judicial system, this was an interesting detail, especially because the name “Supreme Court” made me expect it to be the highest court.
But then something caught my attention that was much closer to home.
During the introduction, the person showing us around pointed towards the clock in the courtroom. She explained that the clock contains carved tulips, which serve as a reference to the Dutch history of the region.
Even though she told us there were tulips in the clock, I have to admit that I did not immediately see them. Maybe that says something about my ability to recognize art! But once I knew what I was looking for, I could see the connection.
As a Dutch student, these are the little moments that give you a feeling that is difficult to describe. I have already written about the Dutch influence in the Capital Region, such as Albany’s flag, Rensselaer, Brunswick, and Vandenburgh Avenue. But seeing a reference to Dutch history inside such an impressive and important building was something different. It feels like a small light of home.
When you are far away from the place you grew up, small things can suddenly feel much bigger. A reference to the Netherlands, a Dutch name, or even a tulip can make you feel connected to home for a moment. It is difficult to explain exactly why, but I think it is one of those things you only understand when you experience it yourself.
However, this visit taught me much more than just another part of the Dutch heritage in the Capital Region. Being there with international visitors from different countries also reminded me why I enjoy studying International Relations. You get to learn about different systems, cultures, and perspectives, but you also get to meet the people behind them.
During my internship, I am not only discovering the Capital Region; I am also discovering how much you can learn from simply talking to people from different backgrounds. Everyone brings their own experiences and perspectives, and those differences make every conversation a little more interesting.
So, what started as a visit to learn about the U.S. judicial system became another small discovery for me: a little piece of the Netherlands in a place where I never expected to find it. And perhaps that is one of the most exciting parts of living abroad: you never know where you will find a little piece of home.
Stay in touch as we are going to discover the Capital Region of New York together.
Sidar
