It does not matter that you do not know, since I logical you are only accustomed to the education you went through, but I'll explain what Dutch education is like in general, but since it's quite different from the US (and non-linear), I'll simplify a bit.
All Dutch students start in primary school, and run through eight years of it before the make a big final test. On the basis of that test and teacher's assessment students are then sorted into one of three broad levels of secondary education, namely VWO, HAVO, or VMBO. I went to VWO which stands for
voorbereidend wentenschappelijk onderwijs (preparatory scientific education), takes 6 years to complete and is the only branch of secondary education that leads to university. VMBO, in contrast, prepares you for learning a certain craft (baker, nurse etc.), while HAVO trains you to ensue more specialized/theoretical professions (musician, engineer etc.). Then for me finally came university and that works quite like your system of bachelor/master etc. I hope it is a bit clear xD
From your response I almost see resentment to your own country. Do you like living in the US or do you wanna move somewhere else in the future? I cannot be that the USA is all bad right, they have made some progression into becoming more accepting toward homosexuality in recent years right?
Too bad you do not have a story but still just liking the subject is enough to pursue it right. I hope you'll enjoy those programs to the fullest. Well I wanted to teach because I have long been wanting to help people with their studies of mathematics and I really like making students understand a difficult subject, so it's only natural I fell for becoming an academic teacher!
What actual work would you like to do as a historian?