Second-Year VWO pupils explore freedom at the “Free” Experience
3 april 2025
Today, our second-year VWO classes took part in the powerful and interactive “Free” Experience in Oudenbosch. The day challenged pupils to think critically about freedom, human rights and the importance of standing up for others—both in the past and today.
Through a virtual walking tour focused on post-WWII recovery, pupils heard personal stories of resilience and rebuilding in the Netherlands. “It was inhuman how people treated each other,” said Ruben.
Pupils also explored different kinds of freedom—such as freedom of speech, identity, and safety—through a mix of hands-on activities. In the creative workshop, pupils wrote and shared their reflections based on real stories, then transformed these ideas into their own pieces of artwork.
Mare reflected, “We take so much for granted. This experience helped me see how important it is to protect the freedoms we have.” She and Benthe were selected as the best artwork made by girls. Their story focused on Fatima, a girl who dreams of being a fashion designer but can’t because she lives in Afghanistan.
Steffan and Bouke were our boy winners. They wrote a story about a boy from Iraq, Aaron, who used stories to escape from his war-torn reality. “We thought, maybe having a laptop would be like having a light in the darkness,” added Bouke.
Later, the escape room pushed them to solve problems and work together under pressure. Emily and Jahnora noted, “The escape room really made us think about how difficult it is to make the right choice when you’re under pressure.”
The Humanity Game encouraged discussion around how to best help others in a crisis situation. “Freedom isn’t just about being able to do what you want—it’s also about being responsible for others,” said Niels. He worked with teammates to try and calculate what kinds of resources are needed in different crisis situations.
Pupils left inspired and thoughtful. “It made me realise that freedom comes in many forms—and that not everyone has the same opportunities we do,” said Mae.
In short, today was an eye-opening, creative and meaningful day for all involved.
