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About The Hague, Netherlands Program

The Hague program is a USAC partnership program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.

About The Hague

  • Distance from Amsterdam: 40 miles
  • Distance from Paris: 295 miles

People walking the historic streets of The Hague, Netherlands.

The Hague lies on the North Sea and is a modern and sophisticated city located on the Netherlands’ western coast. It is rich in history and is the home of the Dutch central government and the royal family’s residential palace. It is also one of the greenest cities in Europe, buzzing with outdoor activity and an abundance of recreational facilities. Students can enjoy a range of popular attractions, including the Mauritshuis art museum, government offices housed in a 13th-century Gothic castle, the Madurodam miniature park, and several specialty museums. Throughout the city, each square, street, and boulevard has its own ambiance and character to discover.

The Netherlands was one of the six founding members of the European Union, and The Hague is often referred to as “The International City of Peace and Justice”. It is home to the United Nation’s International Court of Justice, the Peace Palace, the International Criminal Court, and Europol. Throughout its history, the city has played a key role in both regional development and global affairs, making it an ideal location to study current trends in business management, politics, international affairs, and European integration.

Step outside of town and discover the Holland Flower Auction, where 80 percent of the flowers sold are exported around the world. Or sit on one of the coast’s sandy beaches, soaking in the sun at nearby Kijkduin and Scheveningen. Just 10 minutes by tram from the city center, Scheveningen also offers countless shops, seaside cafés and restaurants, a folk museum, and stunning views from the pier’s iconic ferris wheel. Several major Dutch cities are within an hour’s train ride of The Hague, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Utrecht, and Dordrecht.