autumn 2015 S E R V I N G T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y
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.ACCESS-NL.ORG
Dutch water ways Special features | Beer-steamed zeeland mussels |
making room for the rivers | happy kids, the Dutch way | Floating architecture | caring for oceans | Fascinating Friesland |
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To reserve a place or for more information contact Zein at info@zeinchildcare.nl or call 070-3268263 Jozef Israëlsplein 36 - 2596 AV Den Haag - www.zeinchildcare.nl
PhOtO: tIgS cREatIOnS
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear ACCESS readers Water is an inescapable element of the Dutch landscape and lifestyle. Not long after arriving, many internationals are bemused to discover how much of the country is actually BELOW sea level, and curious to discover how this is ‘managed’. Upon realisation of the work and expertise involved, bemusement turns to admiration and appreciation of the wealth of natural treasures on offer. Marshlands, walking routes, nature reserves: all acquire a new purpose.
In this issue we explore new threats and ingenuity at play in the fight to prevent the country from flooding, from both rivers inland and the sea further out; we discover the global significance of the Waddenzee and how we can help look after it; take stock of the myriad of waterrelated activities there are to do for families, and learn about how some Dutch architects are looking to water as new foundations for living, working, and vacationing. But this issue is not all about water. You will also find tips and links for the expat-preneur community; advice on how to take advantage of being in a country where the children are among the happiest in the world and yet another delicious recipe inspired by the Dutch waterways: mussels… in beer to keep it local. As autumn marks the arrival of many internationals to the Netherlands, we take this opportunity to welcome you to your new home. And, for those returning after their first homeleave, or simply from vacation, this welcome holds new meaning: for surely you now feel more at home than you did when you first arrived. Know that we at ACCESS know what it feels like, to be arriving or returning, and we are here to answer any questions you may have, or support you in any way. Deborah Valentine - Executive Director
access | autumn | 3
about accESS is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation that serves the needs and interests of the international community in the netherlands. It is supported by Dutch, inter national and expatriate businesses and organisations through donations and sponsorship.
What we do
Established in 1986 ACCESS is a unique volunteer-based organisation. Representing an impressive cultural and linguistic variety, its dedicated volunteers work to: • provide guidance, advice, information to help individuals with settling, and/or living and working in the Netherlands • promote friendship, understanding and well-being of the members of the international community in the Netherlands • contribute to community development through skill training schemes and courses • serve as a bridge between local and international communities • assist the HR departments of international employers in preparing for and receiving international staff
Executive Board
• Chairman: Gary Hays,
Valshebnik Consulting • Vice Chairman: Kiri Kikis, Shell • Treasurer: Edwin Jeanty van der Spek, Deloitte Tax Lawyers • Secret ary: to be appointed
Members
• Willemijn van Oppen-Stuyt, Educaide • Jessie Rodell • Koosje Ploegmakers, ABN AMRO • Godelijn Boonman, GMW Advocaten
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ACCESS Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN The Hague The Hague International Centre City Hall Atrium, Spui 70
0900 2 ACCESS (0900 2 222 377) local rate 20c per minute helpdesk@access-nl.org www.access-nl.org Join ACCESS on
• accESS news • What’s On • community news • Cover story: making room for the rivers • Community: Expat-preneurs can flourish in nl • Health & wellbeing: happy kids, the Dutch way • Family: having a splashing time! • Travel: Wide-open treasure in Friesland • Education: caring for the blue • Food: Beer-steamed zeeland mussels • Shopping: go with the flow • Lifestyle: Floating free – flexible land on water • meet our trainers
Having a splashing time!
Education
Caring for the blue
Publisher Stichting ACCESS Laan van Meerdervoort 70, 1st floor, 2517 AN The Hague Editorial content editor@access-nl.org Advertising 070 345 1700, fnd@access-nl.org Acting Editor Deborah Valentine Design & Layout M-space Marek Moggré Contributors Dymphna Pafitis, Fleur Duggan, Gemma Gahan, Genoveva Geppart, Joanna Bouma, Julie Kennedy, Katherine Fortier, Magdalini Zografou, Nancy Kroonenberg, Sally Squirrel, Sinead Hewson Cover image Maartje Schuurmans Copyright© ACCESS 2015 All rights reserved. No part of the ACCESS e-zine may be used in any form without explicit permission in writing from the Publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of going to press. However, ACCESS and its writers cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information included.
PhOtO: SuRFSchOOl hOEk van hOllanD
Autumn 2015 Vol. 28 No. 3
Family
PhOtO: kOOS BakkER, WWW.OnDERDEWatERSPIEgEl.nl
ACCESS e-zine
autumn 2015
Food
Beer-steamed Zeeland mussels PhOtO: magDalInI zOgRaFOu
Contents |
ACCESS Partners & Associates
Thank you for your support! Platinum ****
Gold ***
Banking, taxation and personal finance ABN AMRO *** J.C.Suurmond & zn. * AAme Accountants & Tax advisors A The Community Xpat Media (Xpat Journal) *** Candles Flame Computer Training * M-space graphic designers * The Hague Online * Check-NL A Expat Events A Amsterdam Mamas M ANCOR M Broadcast Amsterdam M AngloINFO SouthHolland M DutchBuzz M Dutch News M Expatriate Archive Centre M Global Living Magazine M IamExpat M InTouch Rotterdam M Volunteer The Hague M
Silver **
Bronze *
Media Partners M
Government support
Lifestyle
City of The Hague **** Expat Center Utrecht *** City of Delft * City of Leidschendam-Voorburg * City of Rijswijk * Expatcenter Amsterdam *
American Book Center ** ASPA A Paard van Troje A STET The English Theatre A
Healthcare Bronovo Hospital *
Partner support Zestee Social Media School A Connecting Women M Women’s Business Initiative International M
Housing and relocation Tulip Expats Services * The Student Hotel * RSH Relocation and Immigration Service A Utility Provider A Learning Dutch BSN Language Centre * Direct Dutch * Kickstart School * Legal matters GMW Advocaten **
There are many ways in which you can support the work ACCESS does: as a Partner, Associate and Advertiser. Click here to see our Helping ACCESS 2015 Media Pack for opportunities. 6 | access | autumn
Associates A
Your child British School in the Netherlands *** Zein Childcare *** Big Ben Kids ** International School of The Hague ** True Colors ** American International School of Rotterdam * British School of Amsterdam * German International School The Hague * HSV (The Hague School A ssociation) * International School Utrecht * Kindergarden * Passionate Parenting A Teddy Kids International D aycare A
ACCESS
News Autumn Expat Impressions of The Hague As one of the quintessential international cities in the world, The Hague has been welcoming internationals for
I well remember the Feb. 1, 1953 Hurricane. We loaded onto a tram and went out to the beach where we were slammed against a wooden fence while ducking dike tiles. The police did not hesitate to put us on the next tram back to town. We offered to work out there the next day but were kindly refused. We did go out to the streets to collect rampanfonds in tin cups. This is how I spent my 26th birthday. Of course, America sent tons of clothing, much of which was refused by the south dwellers because it was not black. Nancy Taylor Ganyard
nd ea ag , er. am gone wat d he had nder t u e at ed dik been nd re ou e mo have t s a on ld re we ld if wou We re to ague we e H Th
decades. Whether they come for one year, ten years, or more each has had something to share about their time here. They have been witness to many of the historical events that have happened in The Hague, and have brought and bring their own unique perspective to these events, as well as to daily life in the city. ACCESS is proud to be involved in an exhibit being planned this autumn in the City Hall of The Hague: ‘Expat Impressions of The Hague’. Together with the Expatriate Archive Centre and The Hague Archives we have been gathering letters, journals, and photographs of expatriates since the late 1950s and preparing an exhibit aimed to build bridges between the temporary and more permanent residents of this increasingly international city. Be sure to visit the exhibit, which will be open to the public from 26 October – 13 November in The Hague’s City Hall. Leave us a note too, of your own impressions. We would love to hear what you have to share. For more information visit the Expatriate Archive website. «
access | autumn | 7
Stichting Haagsche Schoolvereeniging
HSV International School Global citizenship, lifelong learning
International Primary Education One school, three locations in the Hague: ‣ The Hague centre: Nassaulaan 26 (NSL) ‣ Benoordenhout: Van Nijenrodestraat 16 (VNS) ‣ Bezuidenhaout: Koningin Sophiestraat 24a (KSS) International Special Education - Lighthouse ‣ Amalia van Solmsstraat 155 www.hsvdenhaag.nl
www.lighthousese.nl
What’s on Autumn 2015
Special events in September WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at EDITOR@access-nl.org, SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.
TREK Food Truck Festival The Hague 10-13 September The TREK Food Truck Festival brings one of the biggest Dutch open air restaurants to Westenbroekpark. Alongside stalls featuring delicious food from different cultures, you can also enjoy music, theatre, and a variety of live entertainment.
Flower Parade Lichtenvoorde 13 September The largest dahlia flower parade in the Netherlands takes place on the second Sunday in September. Admire floats and wagons covered in thousands of flowers then take part in festivities with a fun fair, local fanfare band, and open air market.
photo: trek
www.bloemencorso.com
www.festival-trek.nl
Prince’s Day The Hague World Living Statues Festival Arnhem 15 September 26-27 September His Majesty the King rides from Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal in a ceremonial coach to read the Speech from the Throne. Watch the military procession for free as thousands line the streets of The Hague to catch a glimpse of the royal carriage.
www.denhaag.com
The World Living Statues Festival is a unique event where live statue performers compete for the title of world champion. Wander around and admire fantastical art that may just surprise you by coming to life. www.worldlivingstatues.nl
Open Monument Day Cities throughout the Netherlands 12-13 September In the second week of September, thousands of previously closed historical monuments across the Netherlands open their doors to visitors. As part of Open Monumenten Dag, many locations also organise tours and exhibitions for the general public. www.openmonumentendag.nl access | autumn | 9
What’s on Autumn 2015
Special events in October WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at EDITOR@access-nl.org, SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.
Siege of Leiden Leiden 2-3 October
www.3october.nl
Amsterdam Music Festival Amsterdam 16-17 October
Wander around the market and eat cheese to your heart’s content over this two day event in Gouda. Entrance and tasting are free as the public votes for the best cheese maker, who is awarded the coveted bronze cheese maid.
photo: Dan van der Laan
The Leidens Ontzet is a festival commemorating Leiden’s relief from the Spanish siege in 1574. For two days, the streets of Leiden are filled with parades, concerts, a fun fair, market, and more. This is a great occasion to sample Dutch Hutspot, a traditional carrot and onion stew usually eaten on the evening of the celebrations.
Sensation Kaas Gouda 9 October - 10 October
www.sensationkaas.nl
Dutch Design Week Eindhoven 17-25 October The Dutch Design Week is the largest design event in the Netherlands. Innovation takes the centre stage at an exhibition where industrial, concept, graphic, textile and fashion, spatial and even food design trends come together to create a promising image of the future.
www. amsterdammusicfestival.com 10 | access | autumn
photo: lisa klappe
Amsterdam is set to party during this two-day long dance music festival. People from all around the globe travel to experience dance music’s most integral event, featuring an impressive line up of DJs and artists including renowned Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren. www.ddw.nl
Special events in November WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at EDITOR@access-nl.org, SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.
This festival showcases films testing the borders between mainstream and art-house during an extensive ten-day program. One of the many highlights of the packed schedule is the American Indie Competition, which aims to promote American filmmakers in the Netherlands. www.leidenfilmfestival.nl
GLOW Eindhoven 7-14 November GLOW takes over Eindhoven, lighting up the streets with dazzling creations. This light art festival sees artists from around the world remodel the city with their installations. Experience the event for free by simply walking through the city at night.
photo: Claus Langer
Leiden International Film Festival Leiden 30 Oct. - 8 Nov.
www.gloweindhoven.nl
Country and Christmas Fair Haarzuilens 25-29 November
Inspired by the Montreal Indie scene this four day music festival offers the opportunity to see high-calibre performers in the most liberal of festival settings: fifteen venues of varying shapes, sizes and purposes. Opt for a four day pass, or enjoy some of the creative initiatives around the festival in the ‘Utrecht Indie Route’. www.leguesswho.nl
photo: eric van nieuwland
Le Geuss Who? Utrecht 19-22 November
This Christmas fair is held in the beautiful grounds of the De Haar castle. Browse for enchanting gifts and decorations amongst over 200 stalls while listening to traditional Christmas carols. Stay until dark and you can top off your day on the lit up outdoor ice rink and enjoy a magical water fountain show against the backdrop of the castle. www.countrychristmasfair.nl access | autumn | 11
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M-space is a graphic design studio based in The Hague, with experience with international clients. To find out more, and discuss your needs and interests, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
www.m-space.nl
Community news
DRONGO attention: internationals in the utrecht region. accESS will be at the DROngO Festival, Jaarbeurs, utrecht, Saturday 26 September. Do make a note to drop by and say hello, but more importantly to explore one of the largest Language Festivals in the Netherlands. Be sure to come celebrate the beauty of language and cultural diversity at this festival and information market. With crash courses, workshops for multilingual families, the latest language learning tools, and even CV translations, the packed programme has something to offer everyone. Be sure to register for your free tickets and explore the website for the full programme. In the words of the organisers, the event: “generously embraces linguistic diversity with an exuberant, groundbreaking programme. Visit DRONGO to discover a world of opportunities for language lovers, and to experience the fun, the culture and the beauty of languages.â€? ÂŤ Festival takes place 25 & 26 September. access | autumn | 13
Community News
photo: Christine Fischer
Feel at home returning
ACCESS is delighted to announce that it will partner with TheHagueOnLine in its organisation of The Feel at Home in The Hague International Community Fair 2016.
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Our role will be to coordinate the recruitment and participation of the sports & social clubs and non-profit organisations from in and around The Hague. Are you one of these? Do you know of a non-profit organisation which has something to offer inter nationals in the region? If so, please
get in touch with fair@access-nl.org so that we can include you in our planning and you can be part of the biggest international community event in the region. The event will have free entry and, as well as presenting lots of interesting and practical information, the organisers aim to provide a fully interactive programme of exhibitions, activities and competitions which celebrate everything The Hague Region has to offer, making the Fair a fun and entertaining day-out for the whole international (and internationally-minded) community. They would love to hear your ideas about what makes you ‘Feel at Home’ in The Hague and which activities, events and information you’d like to find out about or share with your international compatriots at the fair, be they newcomers, visitors or longterm residents of the region.
I am not a tourist For those who cannot wait till January 2016 to find answers to some of their questions, there is also the ‘i am not a tourist’ Expat Fair, in Amsterdam on 4 October 2015 at the Beurs van Berlage. Drawing exhibitors from near and far in the Netherlands, and providing ample opportunities for workshops and presentations, this fixture on the international calendar is sure to overwhelm you with what there is to do, and where answers can be found. Be sure to get our free tickets online, and drop by the ACCESS stand to say hello. «
So save the date: Sunday 31 January 2016 and be sure to let us know if you would like to be a part of it. We look forward to hearing from you! « access | autumn | 15
Cover story
Making room for the rivers New or not to the Netherlands, many an expat will have heard: this is a low-lying country, with parts of it actually under sea level! The rivers, the IJsselmeer and the North Sea may provide an abundance of water but it also means that about 60% of the country can actually be flooded – from the sea or by its rivers.
16 | access | autumn
photo: gemeente Nijmegen
by Genoveva Geppaart
The Dutch know this, and over the centuries have developed dunes as well as dikes to protect themselves against the sea. Dikes were also used as protection against flooding from rivers. Yet, despite these efforts, in 1953 a major flood ravaged the south-western part of the country; specifically, the entire province of Zeeland; parts of Noord-Brabant including Roosendaal, Breda and villages along the Meuse, and many towns and villages in ZuidHolland, such as Rotterdam and Dordrecht. It was devastating, and in order to prevent it ever happening again, one of the world’s most spectacular
engineering undertakings of its time was embarked upon: the Deltawerken (Delta Works). The results of this feat continue to ‘work’ to this day and can be appreciated and explored by a visit to Neeltje Jans located on the artificial island in Zeeland from which the project was built. Times have changed though, and the challenges today are also from inland waters, rivers, not only the sea. New threats
With rising sea levels and temperatures, and more frequent as well as heavier rain periods, the agreed upon height » access | autumn | 17
Cover story | Making room for the rivers
For the curious and adventurous, …… it is possible, between April and October to walk between dikes, through their floodplains. of dikes and dunes protecting the Netherlands for so long are proving insufficient. Projections suggest that with increased rainfall in autumn and winter combined with dryer summers, plans need to be made to protect the Netherlands from future flooding – from different directions. Furthermore, dryer summer periods could threaten the availability of fresh water – for nature, agriculture as well as industry. As such, the Dutch government has announced plans for a Delta Programme to better protect
Summer situation
Summer riverbed
Floodplain
Winter dike
Winter situation
Floodplain
Riverbed
Summer dike
Summer dike
Winter riverbed
18 | access | autumn
Winter dike
the Netherlands against floods and ensure enough fresh water. The Delta Programme consists of nine subprogrammes of which the Delta Programme Rivers (DPR) is but one – targeted to investigating what is needed to protect the areas close to rivers. Its ultimate goal: to safeguard these areas until the year 2100. Details of the DPR will be published in time for the 2015 Throne/Budget speech in September with a final decision on it expected by the end of the year. Since the Middle Ages, areas near rivers have been protected by two dikes to prevent flooding. Dikes closest to the shore are low and offer, in the summer period, sufficient protection from water levels rising, hence the name ‘summer dike’. Further away from the river higher, more solid dikes are the last link in the chain of protection during wetter periods. Not surprisingly these are referred to as winter dikes and provide increased protection when water levels rise in winter. For the curious and adventurous, it is possible to walk between dikes in some areas of the country between April and October. The floodplains there can vary between a few hundred metres to more than a kilometre in width.
New standards
Due in part to increased populations and the increasing economic importance of areas subject to flood threats, current standards for dikes which date from the 1960s are no longer sufficient. The dikes need to be stronger, not only to protect the lives involved, but also to ensure the lifeline of the Dutch economy, twothirds of which is derived from the areas at risk.
North Sea
leeuwarden groningen assen
zwolle
lelystad amsterdam
IJssel
utrecht
the hague Rotterdam
Rhine
arnhem
Waal Den Bosch
middelburg
Meuse The new standards for dikes proposed by the DPR are to come into effect in 2017. Over a twelve-year period, all dikes will then be tested according to these new standards, and by 2050 all will be required to meet them. However, since dikes never last for 50 years (nor do conditions remain constant), the maintenance and strengthening of dikes remains a continuous process which is continuously taken into account by the DPR.
below sea-level regions of the Netherlands
maastricht
SOuRcE: RIJkSWatERStaat
Among the proposed protective measures are: constructing stronger dikes, i.e. higher and/or wider dikes; creating larger floodplains for rivers, i.e. relocating dikes by building a Âť
• •
access | autumn | 19
•
new dike further away from the river and then removing the old dike, and improving water retention, i.e. storing water in farmland soil, in water reservoirs, lakes and ponds or on the soil surface. By storing water temporarily in such retention areas, the water level of the river can be temporarily lowered and prevent flooding.
For each ‘river region’ a preferred strategy has been formulated which takes into account the particular characteristics of the regions the principle 20 | access | autumn
PhOtO: RIJkSWatERStaat
Did ow... n k u yo p exists p A e t a A Clim nners with pla to help rojections. rp weathe
rivers in the Netherlands - the Waal, Rhine, IJssel and Meuse - run through. Since longer-term measures do not totally reduce the risk of flooding to zero, the proposal also includes preventative guidelines. These include: measures which improve action when a flood happens, such as improving disaster recovery plans and evacuation processes. measures which limit the consequences of a flood, such as sustainable physical planning: different ways of building houses and offices (e.g. amphibian houses, floating
• •
Cover story | Making room for the rivers
houses, houses on poles), construction of evacuation routes and hiding places, limited or no building activities in areas at high risk of flooding.
The new standards for dikes proposed by the DPR are to come into effect in 2017.
Expertise from many angles
The Netherlands is no stranger to the international community when it comes to sharing their expertise in water management. Recent examples of this include New York (following Hurricane Sandy), New Orleans (after Hurricane Katrina) and Bangladesh to name a few. The Delta Programme will no doubt also serve as a model of good practice and will add to the wealth of knowledge already gathered at UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education (IHE) in Delft, among other places. It is interesting to note that the unique governance behind water management is highly particular to the Netherlands. Long before the devastating floods of 1953, the Dutch had already confronted the challenges and risks of their low-lying country, and water management was already central to culture as well as politics. The Water Boards, also referred to as the Dutch Water Authorities, date back to 1255 and have been central to successful water management practices of the
Netherlands. They are independent from the national and regional governing structures and have their own tax base, thus ensuring that the longer term considerations of flooding are not out-competed by other political priorities. Each board (there are 23 in total) has seats allotted by political representation, voted on every four years, and representatives of large landowners (farmers and nature conservation interests) and the business sector. And, like municipalities with their appointed Mayors, each has a Regional Water Authority Chairman (Dijkgraaf ) appointed by the King. Keeping water management independent and consultative is deeply embedded in Dutch culture, and is something viewed enviously by other countries which also struggle with water issues. «
About the author Genoveva Geppaart has been an ACCESS volunteer for 10 years. She works at the ACCESS Helpdesk and writes for our FAQ guides and website. access | autumn | 21
Internationally Adaptable Making new friends, and learning how to fit in, becomes easy when those around you are used to welcoming newcomers from every corner of the world.
www.britishschool.nl
Internationally British
Community
Expat-preneurs can flourish in NL Among the deciding factors before any relocation to a new country is what the ‘accompanying’ spouse will do; especially for those who are either midcareer or gave up a career to support their partner.
by Julie Kennedy and Sinead Hewson
For some more seasoned expats, who have discovered the ‘career in your suitcase’ opportunities, it is heartening to know that the Netherlands is an entrepreneurial-friendly nation. For those new to the idea – of expatriation and entrepreneurship - it is even better to know that there is a wealth of information and resources available and a community ready to help and support you. Ahead of the game
As the world moves towards redefining career paths and re-shaping the workweek, it is satisfying to know that the expat world is ahead of the game as family units adapt and make the most
of the opportunities relocation in new countries gives them. The term ‘expatpreneur’ first used by Dr Yvonne McNulty, author of “Managing Expatriates: A Return on Investment Approach” and an expat culture specialist at the Singapore Institute of Management University, refers to a “traditional expatriate with an entrepreneurial nature”. Given that more and more of the accompanying, dare we still say, trailing spouses are increasingly coming from professional backgrounds, it is perhaps not surprising that many are looking for professional identities and activities that will travel with them, as opposed to holding them back as they embark on their global adventure. Books such as Career in your Suitcase and The Mobile Life are but two of many out there supporting, guiding and helping those who follow the jobs of their partners. Both by the way written by four women who were/are themselves expat-preneurs in the Netherlands. » access | autumn | 23
Community | Expat-preneurs can flourish in nl
Soft landings
Which makes the expat-preneur somewhat of a pioneer, in our opinion. The Netherlands, furthermore, is a country and market used to communicating in English. Of course, if you want to really penetrate the local market learning the language is a must, but getting started, there is enough information and support in English to make the transition a little smoother, and perhaps a little less intimidating.
There are approximately 880,000 entrepreneurs working in the Netherlands on a freelance basis at the moment, and given the local trends in the labour market, this number is rising. It is the result of many factors, and reflects a worldwide tendency in fact.
Furthermore, a community has grown over the years to support those coming in. Guiding to the information required; linking to networks which can help build and grow a business and providing a soft landing to those coming in with an existing business as well as those starting for the first time.
Bringing or starting your business Partner Support Guide: www.access-nl.org • ACCESS’s Dutch Chamber of Commerce: www.kvk.nl/english • and www.kvk.nl/english/starting-a-business for business: www.answersforbusiness.nl • Answers • Dutch Tax Office: www.belastingdienst.nl/english
The biggest step
P h Ot
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Expats form a growing part of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. It continues to be something they can start, or continue, which is transportable, tailored around their skills, lifestyle and other obligations (such as family). One stumbling
block is where and how to start in a new country, where networks, local ways of doing things and procedures are unknown. In the resources which follow many answers are to be found. For those who want to give themselves a jump-start there is also the increasingly popular English language ‘Starting your own business Seminars’ first offered by the Chamber of Commerce, and now by the Women’s Business Initiative International (WBII), which has supported more than 200 entrepreneurs in the past 10 years. The next such Seminar is scheduled for 19 November 2015 at the World Trade Centre in The Hague. There is more information as well as testimonials from past events and the registration link here. Conclusion
Setting up in business as an expat is both fulfilling and rewarding personally and professionally. Creating the opportunity to build a business that travels with you can make every relocation a joy, an adventure and a way to make new connections and experience the country you are in in a new way. Networking, building connections with potential suppliers, clients and
Useful local international networks Business Club www.aabc.nl • Amsterdam Small Business Network: www.020sbn.nl • BAmsterdam NI Seagull • Professionalbni-denhaag.nl/seagull-international-business Women´s Network Amsterdam • www.pwnamsterdam.net TC The Hague International Business Club • Wwww.wtcthehague.com/en/ibc onnecting Women: www.connectingwomen.nl • CFrancobiz: www.francofobiz.com • And, on Facebook search for the following: Amsterdam Business Mamas; Rotterdam Business Mamas; International Women’s Contact Utrecht (IWCU);
friends is an essential part of setting up in any country. Entrepreneurship can be lonely and joining a business network in your area will provide you with motivation and support on the days that you need it. So, do make sure to reach out, spread your wings, and connect with others flying this route. The Netherlands is the perfect place to start. Our advice. Go for it! «
About the authors Julie Kennedy and Sinead Hewson are both expat-preneurs currently working in the Netherlands. Both are members of the WBII and active in supporting others like them. access | autumn | 25
Law | Partner feature
Inadvertent child abduction By maRJEt van yPEREn-gROEnlEER
070 361 5048 www.gmw.nl/en
Moving with your children
It is not uncommon for the main care-giver to find a new partner who lives elsewhere in the country, or even abroad, several years after divorcing – or even during the divorce proceedings. Foreign nationals, who are temporarily or permanently resident in the Netherlands, have also been known to want to return to their country of birth or to be re-assigned elsewhere, either in the Netherlands or abroad. Former spouses then face the question as to whether they, as principle care-giver, can simply decide to move with their child(ren) to another town or city, or another country, against the wishes of the parent left behind. The answer to this questions is NO. If the parent who is not moving also has custody of the child(ren), they too will have to give consent.
26 | access | autumn
If the consent is not given, the other parent can ask a court to give substitute consent. The court will then consider the best interests of the child(ren). Failing to have this consent, will mean the parent taking the child(ren) would be considered to be abducting them, whether they move within the Netherlands or beyond. They would be committing a criminal offense. What can you do?
Abduction can be extremely damaging for a child. The International Child Abduction Centre in the Netherlands (IKO) is the agency that serves as the first port of call in abduction-related matters. Furthermore, in abduction cases, it’s advisable to engage the services not only of a lawyer in the Netherlands, but also of one in the country of destination. Execution from foreign court orders abroad
can sometimes be problematic and an accusation could make it very hard for the abducting parent to return. Consulting experts is the best place to start. The Hague Convention on Child Abduction 1980
The Hague Convention is a legal tool meant to help a/the custodial parent to regain access to the abducted child, facilitating the return of the minor to their habitual place of residence. The signatory parties have all agreed to co-operate towards this. The starting point in such matters is always the return of
the child, and then, ruling regarding care. This also applies for the specific rulings on child abduction within the European Union. In the Netherlands in most cases the return of the child is ordered. So, if you have to deal with child abduction, or have any questions about this, please contact a specialized lawyer or the International Child Abduction Centre. «
If the consent is not given, the other parent can ask a court to give substitute consent.
access | autumn | 27
Health
Happy kids, the Dutch way Expats living in the Netherlands will have heard it: Dutch children are the happiest in the world. Wonder how, or if, your children will enjoy the same levels of well-being? Or, how you can provide them with the full advantages of a Dutch lifestyle?
photo: natalie carstens www.nataliecarstens.com
by Katherine Fortier
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Open and enthusiastic
Balancing acts
The studies so often quoted largely base their findings on factors such as children’s material well-being, their safety and security, and health variables. So yes, just by living in this tiny country with its clean, safe streets, abundance of green spaces and healthy lifestyle, your children can enjoy many of the same benefits. This is most true when we embrace all that the Netherlands offers to kids. Your children will absorb your attitudes about their surroundings, so to make the most of life here, it’s best to model openness and enthusiasm for your environment.
The Dutch work-life balance also has a lot to do with this. The Netherlands has the highest rate of part-time workers and yet at the same time among the highest productivity rates of any OECD nation. Parents have time for their children, with many fathers taking a weekly papadag (a father’s day off ), as part of their parental leave entitlement. Families almost always dine together, and Dutch marriages tend to be very egalitarian, with both parents involved in childcare and housework. Lower stress Did levels and higher satisyou k faction rates confirm Two-th now... children irds of Dutch the adage: ’Happy parunder t he age 1 2 w alk or c ents - happy children’. y cle to sc of a n h d 75% o Given that kind of f secon ool, dar student workplace culture, why s do so. y not ’go Dutch’ while here and enjoy family life as the Dutch do?
Dutch families spend plenty of time together, leaving their little apartments and narrow row-houses to play or just stroll in outdoor spaces. Playgrounds, parks, even children’s petting zoo’s (kinderboerderij) are to be found in any neighbourhood; – rain or shine you’ll find people outdoors. Dutch children also enjoy the freedom to explore on their own, playing with neighbourhood friends in cobbled courtyards or nearby playgrounds without anxious parents tracking their every footstep. You have no doubt observed this, and perhaps in slight surprise witnessed children being children.
Cycling is such an omnipresent feature of Dutch life; it’s hard to overestimate its impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing. As children in other high GDP countries become increasingly sedentary, playing indoors on electronic devices and being driven everywhere, Dutch chil- » access | autumn | 29
CURIOSITY TAKES US FURTHER. What does this do? How does it work? And why? These are the questions asked by curious children on the threshold of discovering the world. That curiosity is the foundation of innovation – a continuous creative search for ideas leading to smart technical solutions. Aware that technology and innovation drive the economy and society forward, we at Shell feel it’s never too soon to start educating people. Through numerous partner programmes, we stimulate the young to stay curious and pursue an education and career in science or technology. This will provide them with the springboard they need to venture into the world of innovation and start moving forward with energy. Check out www.shell.nl
LET’S GO.
043421046_STCA_195x127mm.indd 1
19-08-15 11:13
Health | Happy kids, the Dutch way
dren are on their bikes. Many children at international schools already choose this natural way to boost happiness and protect health, but if you really live too far from school to make the daily commute possible, perhaps there are other ways to work regular cycling into your child’s life.
risk and safety measures, and is the third lowest in accidental deaths of children in the OECD. Having greater freedom to explore and discover, it seems that Dutch children learn to assess risk, know their own limits and capabilities, and look both ways before crossing the street.
Laissez-faire
Raising children the Dutch way
Attitudes towards education are also very child-friendly here. Constant parental pressure to succeed, achieve, and excel are conspicuously absent. Non-university options for tertiary education are both varied and valued, and children are encouraged to ’be children’ without undue pressure for top grades. And yet Dutch students are consistently in the top ten among OECD countries for achievement and standings in Mathematics, Science and Reading – well above countries where the pressure to succeed starts in Kindergarten.
Dutch children are listened to. They routinely participate in any discussions – be it with the doctor, teacher, dentist – that concern them. Their opinions and ideas are valued and heard, and their feelings matter. That does not mean that they rule the roost or always get their way, but adults in the Netherlands have a belief in listening to children and treating their concerns with respect.
There is a relaxed, casual approach to many aspects of childhood here in the Netherlands. Expats who note with surprise the apparent lack of health and safety restrictions (open canals, helmetless cyclists) may be surprised to learn that the Netherlands also boasts impressive statistics on child
Yes, Dutch children have it good – and so can yours. It starts with exploring and embracing the opportunities right in your own neighbourhood. «
About the author Katherine Fortier is a practicing Child Psychologist in The Hague and through Passionate Parenting provides workshops and seminars to support expat parents in the Netherlands. access | autumn | 31
Family
Having a splashing time! Water sports for the whole family throughout the Netherlands by Fleur Duggan
With water all around the Netherlands, learning to swim is in no way a luxury but an absolute necessity. Not a surprise that most Dutch families send their children to swimming lessons from a very early age. In fact, some primary schools offer swimming lessons as part of the curriculum.
day out. I have made a selection below which appeals to various ages for a family outing. Action packed for the thrill seekers
Do wakeboarding, windsurfing, diving, kitesurfing, sailing, fun tubing, water-skiing, body boarding or maybe stand up paddling take your fancy? All along the North Sea coast and lakes you can find various water sport centres where you can try out all of these adrenaline sports. Hoek of Holland has a surf school that offers a good selection of the above sports. Never sailed before and would like to experience this? At the Zevenhuizerplas you can book a trial lesson. Educational and always interactive
Most swimming schools offer the A-B-C diplomas with more advanced swimming lessons to follow, including all kinds of other water skills. Once your child has earned their diplomas, they can perfect their strokes or enjoy a water sport such as water polo, synchronised swimming or diving.
The Dutch Water Museum in Arnhem is an interactive museum about all aspects of water. Take a trip through the ‘sewer system’, do some water experiments in the lab, and find out all about the famous Dutch dike management, drinking water, groundwater tables and water usage. This museum has, for the third time, been voted the most child-friendly museum in Gelderland.
There are countless water sports facilities which are all great fun for a family
The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen has been voted by the Dutch Automotive
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PhOtO: F. BEDIJS
All along the North Sea coast and lakes you can find various water sport centres PhOtO: WatERmuSEum
Association ANWB as the best family daytrip in North Holland. Here, the stories and lives of the people who once lived on the shores of the Zuiderzee are retold and relived. See, hear, taste and smell everyday life around the Zuiderzee as it was before the Afsluitdijk (IJsselmeer Barrier Dam) changed the sea into the IJsselmeer in 1932. The Museum ferry carries you across the IJsselmeer to the Outdoor Museum where you can take a walk through history.
The open-air section covers 15 acres and accommodates authentic buildings from the former Zuiderzee region, such as a church, a fish-curing shed, a mill, a cheese warehouse, shops and dwelling houses from the surrounding fishing villages. ÂŤ
About the author Fleur Duggan is the founder of Stichting InTouch Expats Rotterdam, a not-for-profit organisation for international families in the Rotterdam area. access | autumn | 33
Education | Partner feature
First international integrated child centre On 24 August, the integrated child centre (ICC) of the International School Delft and True Colors Delft opened its doors. It is the first international integrated child centre in the Netherlands and is situated on the TU Delft campus. Parents are keen to get a place for their child in one of the ‘world classes’ in the child centre.
No ordinary school or childcare facility
It is also much more than a ’community school’. Education and childcare are combined in this child
Manager Regina Stork
“ O ur core values are ‘contact’ and ‘connect’, creating a home away from home.”
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centre that is aimed at the international community in and around Delft. The TU Delft alone has around 90 different nationalities on campus. The ICC offers continuous education and a single pedagogical environment for children of different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds, from 0 to 12 years, and a meeting place for the international community in the area. Stichting Rijswijkse Kinderopvang and the Laurentius Stichting joined forces and started working with True Colors Delft and the International School Delft in September 2014. The education and out-of-school care were temporarily housed offsite in Delft. There, space was insufficient to house the crèche as well. At the moment, the school is bursting at the seams, and parents have been waiting anxiously for the crèche to open.
True Colors Delft: a home
Manager Regina Stork: “Our core values are ‘contact’ and ‘connect’, creating a home away from home. These values are reflected in the way we work together with the school, parents and the children, as well as in the design of the ICC building and in our approach to outdoor play. The elements earth, fire, water and air are themes in both our pedagogical policy and the design of the childcare centre. Wooden-style flooring creates the natural feel. The aqua-coloured flooring in the corridors is as if a river is flowing through the childcare centre. We hold regular consultation and coordination meetings with our team of teachers. After all, we’re all seeing the same children. We work with the same themes and activities as school, so the lesson materials really take root. We will also often be found in school with the older children.” International School Delft
School Director Colm McDermott: “We are really looking forward to our new locations and being able to work in closer collaboration with
Director colm mcDermott
“ We are really looking forward ...to provide a seamless transition from day care into school.”
PhOtO: mauRItS van hOut
away from home
True Colors Delft to provide a seamless transition from day care into school; this will especially be possible as we will be on the same site. I am excited by the prospect of working together and having opportunities for our children to interact. Another focal point will be how we can develop the ICC as a central meeting point for international families within the Delft area.” «
070 792 0270 www.truecolorschildcare.eu
access | autumn | 35
Travel
Wide-open treasure in Friesland One might be surprised to find so much diversity in such a small country as the Netherlands; but this is one of the treasures of this nation. Considering the fact that if you drive for three hours west you will find yourself in another country. It is amazing that Friesland, this province in the North, has a separate language and flag from the rest of the Netherlands. Not to mention those famous Frisian horses!
By Kim Gehring
If you are looking to get into the wide-open spaces, Friesland is the most unpopulated province in the Netherlands. At only 160 people per square kilometre there is space enough to breathe. The 195 windmills can testify to this.
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Mudflats
This province boasts peaceful lakes, fields and forests, and kilometres of mudflats on the West Frisian Islands to meander through during low tide. There are numerous excursions you can choose from to explore the mudflats. You have the option to meander the coast of Schiermonninkoog or walk under a moonlit sky in small town of Appelscha which is neatly tucked in between the dunes and wet peat. Check the website for details: www.friesland.nl Water Wonderland
The province of Friesland boasts 35 lakes, the most famous being the Sneekermeer. Not to mention kilo metres of interconnected lakes, canals, rivers and ponds to sail or boat upon this coming autumn. There are a number of categorized and charted routes you can sail listed on the tourism website above. This autumn could be the time to venture out and sail the southern route, which still has relatively undiscovered Frisian nature. Running
Over the past nineteen years the Berenloop marathon and half marathon have become a rather big event in the northern part of the Netherlands.
PhOtOS: nBtc
At only 160 people per square kilometre there is space enough to breathe This run makes a challenging loop through dunes, forest, and the wideopen beaches of the island of Terschelling. The event takes place on 8 November and it is rated as one of the most beautiful, but difficult, races in the Netherlands. The island is expecting to have 4,000 enthusiastic participants. www.berenloopterschelling.nl
Walking
Surrounding these lakes there are also ample forests to roam if you have had enough of the open water. For enthusiastic hikers there are inexpensive pole walking tours you can join outside in the forests of Leeuwarden. This website contains the dates, times and prices. www.wandelpool.nl Âť access | autumn | 37
There are the National Landscapes of Southwest Frysland and Noardlike Fryske Wâlden, and the National Parks Lauwersmeer, SchierDid . . . w no monnikoog, the Drents-Friese you k speakers, 0 Wold and Alde Feanen, offer0,00 With 40 the country’s is ing kilometers of beautiful Frisian d official n o sec nature to enjoy. For more e languag information on these unique forests: www.visitfryslan.nl
PhOtO: nBtc
Sports
Lekker (delicious) Frisian treats Fryske dúmkes - sweet cookies with crushed hazelnut Oranjekoeke - a kind of cake with orange snippers Drabbelkoeken - a buttercake, found only in Sneek Sûkerbôle - sweet bread with 40% sugar and cinnamon Beerenburg is the ‘national’ drink of Friesland, made by adding a tantalizing mix of herbs to jenever. However, it owes its origins to a famous spice merchant Hendrik Beerenburg from Amsterdam. Don’t forget Frysk Hynder otherwise known as ‘Frisian horse’. This is the only Frisian whisky, distilled in Bolsward. Ús Heit (Our Father) is also a characteristically Frisian beer brewed in Bolsward. Side note: Bolsward hosts the annual road bicycle racing tour. 38 | access | autumn
The Friesian people have a remarkable sport left over from the Middle Ages. This game is a jewel that has survived thousands of years, and continues to thrive even in this digital age. Kaatsen is a predecessor to tennis; the game consists of two teams that are going at a solid leather ball with their bare hands. You will have to ask a Friesian to explain the rules to you but it is a cross between football, rugby, and tennis. The main event is held in the city of Franeker so plan in advance if you want to make a weekend of it. Another sport that is unique to Friesland is the Fierljeppen, otherwise known as ‘far jumping’. Contestants take a flying leap over a ditch or a body of water using a ten-foot pole; it is a bit like North American pole-jumping.
Travel | Wide-open treasure in Friesland
photos: NBTC
In the past this was a way to move from pasture to pasture but now it has become a Frisian cultural sport. The small town of Burgum is the capital of Fierljeppen, and it is the location of a cultural centre for this spectator sport. For more information: www.pbholland.com
no need to wait until the winter to see these beautiful Friesian cities. Take a week to bike through scenic, tranquil, green fields on your way from Leeuwarden to the oldest city in the province Workum. Eight-day treks can be organized via this touring company. www.tripsite.com/bike/tours
Eleven cities of Friesland
This autumn, take the time to discover the Northern province with all its hidden treasures. Sit at a café and enjoy an Oranjekoeke with a Beerenburg while you wait for the Fierljeeppen competition to begin! «
Many people have heard of the famous speed skating race the Elfstedentocht and every year when the temperature dips we wait in expectation to see if the canals freeze. However, there is
access | autumn | 39
Education | Partner feature
A year in review, with much to look forward to The end of August in the academic calendar is always an exciting time of year. At the International School of The Hague (ISH), it has been an unusually quiet summer, the first not marked by construction. That will come in the future.
40 | access | autumn
What has been
The last academic year saw both the Primary and Secondary schools grow in student numbers. With the growth came a concerted effort to bring a clear sense of synergy to the school. Working with students, staff and parents we continued to ensure that the curricula are well
implemented and that we offer a diverse and wide-ranging extra curricular programme that compliments the vast array of talent that we have amongst our student body. We were delighted with the IB Diploma results of the graduating class of 2015. Our largest year group of 124 students returned a 98% pass rate with the vast majority of the students gaining entry to their first choice of university that ranged from the Netherlands (Erasmus, TU Delft & Maastricht) to the UK (Cambridge, Imperial), as well as other universities in the US and Canada.
…we are delighted to welcome Mrs. Juliette van Eerdewijk as the new Principal of Primary followed by a whole school production of Oliver! Finally, our inaugural trip to Iceland put an extra feather in our cap. Sadly, we said farewell to Mr. Kevin Rae, the Principal of Primary but we are delighted to welcome Mrs. Juliette van Eerdewijk as the new Principal. With her wealth of international experience she will continue to take the school forward. What will be
The 2014-2015 academic year also saw Sports flourish with more teams than before, and it was lovely to see our Primary school students competing in sports fixtures. The pinnacle of the sports calendar was the Varsity Boys Basketball team who won Division 2 ISST in the last 10 seconds of the game. For the third year our Eco car went to the Shell Eco Marathon in Rotterdam and was the most successful it has been. And, it was the year of both the Little Shop of Horrors on stage,
So, as we write this article, staff are returning to school looking refreshed and galvanized for the year ahead. We have welcomed our new staff and the excitement will be complete when the students return, also relaxed and refreshed. Our aim for the forthcoming year – to build on our successes and ensure that we continue to offer a thriving educational atmosphere at the school, driven by academic success, wonderful initiatives and a large dose of creativity. «
070 328 1450 www.ishthehague.nl
access | autumn | 41
Education
caring for the blue the earth’s oceans and seas make up the planet’s largest body of water, are home to the biggest animal that ever lived (blue whale) as well as the smallest (zooplankton), and contains the planet’s greatest biodiversity.
The oceans furthermore regulate our climate and weather patterns and they are our carbon sink, absorbing most of our emissions. Billions of people are directly dependent on the ocean for their livelihoods in fisherDid ... w o n ies, shipping and you k UNESCO, o t g n e tourism. And billions Accordi on a worldwid y t i s r of people depend on biodive dependent on s i e l a . sc the ocean for their den Sea d a W e h t primary source of animal protein.
By JOanna BOuma
Fringed on two sides by salt water, the sea is interwoven in Dutch history. There is much information
available about this, but today, we jump to 2015 and look at what the national waters of the Netherlands hold and, how we can help be a part of preserving it for future generations. Wonders of the Waddenzee
While casual visitors may dismiss the Waddenzee (in the north of the Netherlands) as simply a shallow bit of water with seals, they would be amazed to discover that it is the world’s largest intertidal ecosystem. So much so that it has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is hugely important to migratory birds and as a nursery for thousands of plant and animal species, not the least of which seals. It was from the Waddenzee that successful projects were implemented to help the seal (common and grey) populations to recover from epidemics in the 1970s and 1980s which nearly wiped them out. Today, young Waddenzee seals that have migrated as far as Ireland and France and everywhere in between, have started successful breeding colonies, and can now be spotted along the entire coast of the Netherlands, even in busy Scheveningen and the inland waters of Zeeland. » access | autumn | 43
PhOtO: lanny khO/SEa FIRSt FOunDatIOn PhOtO: kOOS BakkER, WWW.OnDERDEWatERSPIEgEl.nl
Eels, also endangered, have also been helped to start to flourish again. When the barriers built to prevent drastic flooding were constructed, it was not foreseen that this would result in threatening the survival of eels. The barriers in fact ended up preventing eels from moving from salt 4 4 | access | autumn
water to brackish water in estuaries during their life cycles, when they would leave Europe to breed in the Sargasso Sea. In recent years, much effort and expense have been invested in boosting the eel population. Eel fisheries, quotas have been cut by roughly 80% and special openings have been placed along several sea barriers. A heartening sight is teams of volunteers, researchers and fishermen who catch the migrating eels in buckets releasing them across the barriers
Education | Caring for the blue
and dikes. This is having a positive impact on the eel population of the Netherlands and beyond. Marine garbage patches
Most of us these days are familiar with marine debris and have heard about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or the plastic soup as it is better known here. One man making waves internationally is the young Dutch man behind The Ocean Cleanup whose marine waste collection system will be piloted in the Tsushima Strait. To hear more about his project watch this clip. However, we too can help tackle the problem by joining beach clean ups organised throughout the year by various organisations. And there are lots of projects that use the collected waste for art projects, surfboards, boats and a whole lot more! The ocean is so vast, and there’s so much to write about in the context of the Netherlands that if I don’t stop here, I will fill this whole issue! Just one revelation: please do not say that the North Sea is dead and dirty just because you can’t see through it. You can’t see through it because of the silt, sand and plankton suspended
Want to make your mark? Sea First Foundation and Stichting de Noordzee regularly organise events and beach cleans. Find out more on their websites or Facebook pages. The Plastic Whale Foundation collects plastic from Amsterdam canals, before it reaches the ocean, and makes boats from them. Rent a boat with your friends, school or company and clean the canals! Experienced scuba divers can join Ghost Fishing to clear the sea of rubbish. The plastic is then passed on to Healthy Seas, which works with manufacturers to re-use marine plastic and turn it into usable textiles. Buying sustainably caught fish also helps. Stichting de Noordzee produces a sustainable seafood guide, the VISwijzer, which you can download as a pdf or as an app. The choices are in Dutch, so it’s really easy to use when shopping!
in the water – it’s far cleaner than the Mediterranean Sea which you can see through! And if there were no life in the waters of the Netherlands, the World Championships for Underwater Photography would not have been held in Zeeland this year! «
About the author Joanna Bouma, a writer/editor, is an advocate for the ocean in her free time. Interested in a lesson or talk? Please contact the Sea First Foundation’s coordinator. access | autumn | 45
Education | Partner feature
the making of
good citizens One of the key commitments of the British School in the netherlands (BSn), is to help develop students into well rounded individuals and global citizens.
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Citizenship supports social development throughout early years and primary education, enabling children to develop an understanding of their communities and society, as well as how to engage with others appropriately. During this period, children learn things such as developing a positive sense of themselves, and others; forming positive
relationships; respecting others; social skills; managing their own feelings; understanding appropriate group behaviour and developing confidence in their own abilities.
Whilst there is an educational benefit for the children ….. there is an equally important emphasis on community support.
Putting it into practice
At the BSN, each of the three junior schools have introduced a series of programmes that encourage and enable such development. One such initiative is ‘De Tuinen van Mariahoeve’ - a local community garden. Students ranging from Year 1 to Year 6 get involved with their community during this After School Club. Whilst participation in this project provides an obvious educational benefit, as the children learn about planting and growing organic fruits and vegetables, there is an equally important emphasis put on the value of community support. Relevant Awards
To provide further structure and validity to this area of development, Responsible Citizens Awards have also been introduced which allow children to work towards achieving a Bronze, Silver and Gold award by collecting badges as a result of
completing a set number of tasks, chosen from a range of categories. For example a ‘Creator’ badge would be awarded for performing a piece of music or reciting a poem, or a ‘Responsible Citizen’ badge can be achieved for doing the washing up at home for two weeks, or acting as a playground buddy to help new students make friends. A wide range and variety of award categories have purposely been made available so that children don’t feel they’re being asked to complete a task they don’t connect with, as this has the potential to become a de-motivator rather than an incentive.
070 315 4077 www.britishschool.nl
Providing opportunities for children to take control of their own development in this way, offers teachers the chance to allow older students to ‘lead by example’. After all, the good behaviour demonstrated by peers everyday, is by far the best foundation of good citizenship. « access | autumn | 47
Food
Beer-steamed Zeeland mussels with mustard-cream sauce zeeland mussels are the best of their kind. they’re not called ‘black gold’ for nothing. By magDalInI zOgRaFOu
PhOtO: magDalInI zOgRaFOu
48 | access | autumn
I n g re d i e n
ts
gs 4-6 ser vin
ssels with u m e v li g k •2 preferably their shells ( ) jumbo-sized olive oil • 1 Tbsp ped t, finely chop o ll a h s 1 • clove, finely c li r a g 1 • chopped t, ream, full-fa c l m 0 5 1 • perature at room tem lager beer h tc u D l m 0 • 15 bay leaves • 2 dried e prig of thym s h s e fr 1 • y l fresh parsle fu d n a H • ped stalks, chop k ground blac ly h s e r F • grinds) pepper (3-4 butter • 2 Tbsp d mild mustar • 2 Tbsp • Salt h, flat-leaf s e fr l fu d n a • H s, finely parsley leave r sprinkling fo , d e p p o h c over the dish
Plump and juicy, they can be prepared and cooked in various ways, satisfying even the most demanding palate. They can be battered and deep-fried like you would find them at your local vishandel, in pasta or rice dishes, or steamed in a Dutch lager beer and tossed with herbs, cream and mustard to create this unique and flavourful dish. Serve them with French fries or thick slices of toasted bread to sop up all that rich sauce and enjoy this delicious meal on a chilly autumn evening. Place mussels in a colander and rinse very well under cold, running water to get rid of impurities. Discard any whose shell is broken. Those whose shell is closed are safe to keep. Tap on the shell of the ones that are open and if they close, you can keep them. If not, discard them. Using a knife, grip the beard and pull away towards the hinge end of the mussel to remove it. Give mussels a good scrub with a brush, removing any barnacles that are attached to their shells, rinse them again and let them drain in the colander.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and add the shallots and garlic. SautÊ for 2 minutes, then add the cleaned mussels, cream, beer, bay leaves, thyme, parsley stalks and black pepper. Close the lid. When steam starts to get released from the sides of the pan, turn heat down to medium, shake the pan gently and let the mussels steam for about 5 minutes or until their shells have opened. Shake the pan every minute or so to ensure the even cooking of the mussels. Discard any that didn’t open while steaming. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mussels to a large bowl. Keep warm. Add butter and mustard to the sauce and stir well with a wire-whisk. Continue cooking for one minute, then remove the bay leaves and thyme sprig. Season sauce to taste, pour over the mussels and sprinkle with chopped parsley leaves. Serve immediately. In keeping with our Education article (p 43): please use Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified mussels. 
About the chef Magdalini Zografou is a Greek girl cooking in her little expat kitchen in the Netherlands. mylittleexpatkitchen.blogspot.com access | autumn | 49
Shopping
Bibliobath Some of the most relaxing places to read are by water – and yet, one small splash can ruin a beloved book. Waterproof books by Bibliobath allow you to savour a selection of great literary classics by the beach, bath or pool in complete safety. www.bibliobath.com
from
€ 17
Go with the flow By gEmma gahan & DymPhna PaFItIS
€ 2 99
Be it the sea, canals, or the weather, the Dutch live alongside water in carefully cultivated harmony. In the same vein, these services and products will help you enjoy a smoother, closer relationship with water in your day to day life.
Struggle to keep track of how much water your plants need? The Waterbug app alerts you whenever they need a top up. It also includes a helpful plant library and plant care tips to ensure your green friends receive adequate water and care. www.waterbugapp.com
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Waterbug
9 9 €5
0
With this range of smart umbrellas rain and wind will never bother you again. Storm-proof even in winds of 100km/h and light as a feather, you’ll be the envy of soaked passers-by clutching inside out umbrellas. It’s no surprise that its makers are Dutch!
Senz° umbrellas
www.senz.com
from
€24 95
Ecosphere Born from NASA’s research on self-contained survival during long term space flights, the Ecosphere is a working ecological system of shrimp, algae, and various microorganisms inside a glass container. Celebrating the balance of life and water, this sphere makes for a beautiful and mindful display in your home. www.ecosphere-europe.com
€99 Be kind to your wallet and the environment with Amphiro, an energy monitoring device for the shower. With supplementary access to an online portal, it allows you to not only keep track of water usage but also set energy saving goals. www.amphiro.com
Sippra Filter Bottle
Sippra is a unique way to experience filtered water. Aside from its cutting edge design, it also features a patented eco-friendly filter. No more slow trickling; simply plunge in a filter and drink. Each one lasts up to 100 refills and new filters are provided on a subscription basis. Choose from fortnightly, monthly, or bi-monthly deliveries depending on your usage. www.321water.com sign-
up
€ 14
Amphiro
subscription based thereafter access | autumn | 51
- flexible land on water the Dutch, not short of ideas, are known for being innovative thinkers in many fields of design.
By Sally SQuIRREll
The upcoming generation of entrepreneurs, architects and designers are no exception, and are reacting to the increasing news of climate change, raising water levels, food shortages and civil wars. Rethink the norm
Koen Olthuis is the founding architect of Waterstudio, an architectural firm based in the Netherlands. He does not 52 | access | autumn
limit himself to the water challenges of the Netherlands though; his projects are garnering attention the world over in the area of ‘confronting the challenge of developing solutions to the problems posed by urbanization and climate change’. FLOAT = Flexible land on aquatic territory
As Olthuis explains “(we need to) use the space on the water and the dynamic flexibility of the water, then we really can make a better city”. City Apps − retrofitted shipping containers floating on trash − are designed to add to
PhOtO: Shau aRchItEctuRE & uRBanISm
Floating free
Lifestyle
the existing infrastructure to bring much needed food production and power. This could make a real difference in developing countries where communities living by the shore are in real danger of sea level rises destroying their homes and livelihoods. Habitats for animals also come in for a redesign by Olthuis’ team. Sea trees in the future could provide floating habitats for all kinds of creatures. And how about floating away on your holiday in the star-shaped Krystall hotel, in Tromsø, Norway to view the Northern lights? Milk time
Even farming is getting a makeover, with the first floating farm due to open in summer 2016 in Rotterdam. The Floating Milk Factory offers a unique experience for visitors to understand the whole process from cow milking to dairy products.
tested in the 1990s and the passenger terminal of Indonesia’s Ahmad Yani International Airport is Did y being built on a platform know ou on water to expand the the Fren ... In 2011, ch m airport. Eco, cho agazine, Terr a se as one o Koen Olthuis f green t h a Floating fish farms have t will ch people ange long been used in Asian world. the countries, and now they are providing the inspiration for sustainable energy farms such as the solar panel farms (Smart Floating Farms) designed by Forward Thinking Architecture, a Spanish company. The farms use a combination of solar energy, hydroponics green growing, and aquaponics. Following in the footsteps of Buckminster Fuller’s 1960 Triton floating city project, many other designers worldwide are designing on the same themes. This illustrates the increasing need for sustainability and collaboration in confronting the challenges of urbanization and climate change. «
Around the world
London has a cinema and swimming pools that float, Venice, of course, is the quintessential floating city and Amsterdam has floating houses. A gigantic airport project in Japan was
About the author Sally Squirrell is an architect and writer living in The Hague. www.eekhoornandsquirrell.com access | autumn | 53
Open Day
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ACCESS Trainers
Meet our Trainers ACCESS Trainers are an integral part of the ACCESS Community. They provide training opportunities on topics of relevance to the international community ACCESS serves, in English or other languages. Trainers who work with ACCESS are vetted for their relevancy to the international community.
We offer courses in the following categories:
• Creative • Cultural awareness • Global mobility • Having a baby • Health and physical well being • Languages and art • Professional skills development Are you interested in being part of the ACCESS trainer network?
Do you have a course, which provides value to the international community? Contact ced@access-nl.org or click here for more information. Have a look at all the courses and register online:
access-nl.org/courses-workshops.aspx Meet our Trainers online:
access-nl.org/meet-the-trainers.aspx
Digital photography Megan Alter
Professional photographer & photography teacher Amsterdam
Learn to take better photos. Megan believes in learning by doing; her classes not only teach theory, but how to put that theory into practice. Sign up for a class now and take control of your camera so you can express yourself more fully and preserve beautiful memories with your images.
www.meganalter.com/classes access | autumn | 55
ACCESS Trainers | Meet our Trainers
re g is t er for c o u rses o n l i n e a t www . a c c ess - n l . or g , or c o n t a c t t r a i n er dire c t l y .
Health and nutrition Joyce Bergsma
Nutritional therapist Amsterdam
www.eatlivelovefood.com
Trained in the UK, Joyce Bergsma offers private consultations and also seminars in corporate spaces. She specialises in mental health and how nutrient deficiencies influence it. Her successful weight loss programme, fun and informative workshops on Fermentation, Mindful Eating and Adrenal Fatigue are the perfect introduction to changing your ingrained habits.
Career coaching Caroline van den Bogaard
International career coach Amsterdam & via Skype
www.cctransitions.com
Caroline inspires and motivates international professionals to look for ways to continue their career in a new country, and to make the transition easier through career coaching. She knows the challenges and opportunities that professionals face when transitioning to another country, having lived and worked abroad herself. She is a certified career coach and has a Master’s degree in occupational psychology.
Career and life coaching Marie Dewulf
International career and life coach
the Netherlands & via Skype
www.coach2moveon.com
Marie is an expatriate, a Life and Career Coach and trainer/ facilitator whose focus is on cross-cultural adaptation, communication skills, and career development/transition. She works with you to discover what your hidden talents are and how these can be identified and released to unlock YOUR potential. It’s about discovering what you can do with a guide by your side.
Learning Dutch Nitha Dijkstra Dutch Language Courses The Hague
www.dutchenroute.nl
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There is no better way to get to know a country and the people than by learning the language. Nitha Dijkstra has taught Dutch for almost ten years now and with her company she offers lively courses, with the emphasis on enjoyable, practical and effective. With a lot of energy and a down to earth attitude Nitha will help you to learn all about the language and the culture of the Dutch.
re g is t er for c o u rses o n l i n e a t www . a c c ess - n l . or g , or c o n t a c t t r a i n er dire c t l y .
Art history Wendy Fossen
Freelance Art historian & Art history teacher The Hague
www.casadellarte.nl
Wendy is owner of Casa dell’Arte and works as a freelance art historian. She has been giving art history courses in both Dutch and English for over 7 years. She also works as a museum guide at the Gemeentemuseum, and as a tour guide in Italy. Wendy holds degrees from the Universities of Leiden and Amsterdam and from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.
Childbirth preparation Truus Gale
Experienced midwife and prenatal coach Amsterdam
www.childbirthclassgale.com
Truus has over 25 years experience in Dutch midwifery and related areas. She holds a Dutch equivalent of a BA in Educational Sciences from Amsterdam University and graduated from Amsterdam Midwifery College in 1988. Truus has been an ACCESS trainer since 2005, specialised in prenatal individual or group information sessions for expat couples expecting a baby in the Netherlands.
IT and Self defence William Rumley-van Gurp Professional personal development trainer The Hague & Rotterdam
www.cftrainingtoday.com
William is a qualified and experienced trainer, able to offer tailor-made courses in a range of IT and Self defense areas. He has 26 years experience in Self defence and Karate. He has also been teaching people to use Microsoft applications since 1997 when working as an IT Trainer for an international organisation based in The Hague.
Arabic and calligraphy lessons Khaled Khaled
Arabic language lecturer Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht
english.arabisch.nu
Khaled has lived in the Netherlands since 1969. He studied Linguistics of Middle Eastern Languages for 8 years at the University of Amsterdam, specialising in the Arabic language and culture. Khaled offers intensive lessons in the Arabic language and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, and can also provide calligraphy lessons.
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ACCESS Trainers | Meet our Trainers
re g is t er for c o u rses o n l i n e a t www . a c c ess - n l . or g , or c o n t a c t t r a i n er dire c t l y .
Breastfeeding and maternity care consultations Helen Marshall
Lactation consultant and Kraamverzorgster greater The Hague area
helen.marshall1@gmail.com
Helen is a qualified Lactation Consultant IBCLC who helps new mothers who are experiencing challenges in breastfeeding and in maternity care. She qualified as a Paediatric Nurse in Scotland and now supports and educates new mothers in and around The Hague. Helen gives courses and consultations in English and in Dutch to provide support for breastfeeding and mothers-to-be.
Career development and Job hunting Teresa Moynihan
Career coaching & Job hunting support greater The Hague area
www.moynihan-hr-consulting.com
Teresa Moynihan is a HR Professional and a Certified and Licensed Career Counsellor with a Postgraduate qualification in Career and Talent Management from Kingston University in London, UK. Teresa’s extensive experience in HR and Recruitment enables her to incorporate this knowledge into coaching situations involving career issues.
Childbirth preparation Nester Moyo
Senior midwifery advisor The Hague
www.access-nl.org
Nester is a Zimbabwean Midwife Educator who has lived in the Netherlands since 2001, and has worked with ACCESS conducting child birth preparation classes since 2002. Nester is well versed in the education and practice of midwifery in the Netherlands, as she has been a visiting lecturer to some of the midwifery universities in the Netherlands.
Childbirth preparation Chitra Natarajan Childbirth Educator Utrecht
www.akriti.nl
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Chitra is a certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner & Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. She enjoys her role as someone who can support, help and guide a family during Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding and Postpartum. Chitra is currently in the process of completing Hypno Fertility Educator certificate through HypnoBirthing Institute.
re g is t er for c o u rses o n l i n e a t www . a c c ess - n l . or g , or c o n t a c t t r a i n er dire c t l y .
Physical stress management Dora Lucia Neves
Movement practitioner & massage therapist The Hague
www.consciousrebalance.com
Dora is a qualified professional with 18 years’ experience in physical stress management. With her training in movement skills and massage techniques she has developed her mobile practice Conscious Rebalance which offers Posture Realignment workshops and classes for groups or 1-1 training sessions as well as a variety of massage techniques at home or the workplace.
Becoming Bicultural Katerina Pouliasi
Cross-Cultural Psychologist (PhD) Research and training the Netherlands
www.in2cultures.nl
When you live actively with two cultures (between your own family, organisations or society at large) you, partly unconsciously, partly deliberately, acquire a bicultural mind: become able to think and behave in ways that fit different cultures. Katerina has extensively investigated biculturalism among children and adults. With her tailor-made surveys and workshops she will help you discover and advance your potential.
Pre- and postnatal courses Joke van Roosendaal-Kuyper
Breathing and relaxation therapist/Yoga instructor The Hague
www.access-nl.org
Joke has been working in the yoga field for 25 years (Pregnancy yoga for 18 years). Through different kinds of schooling (Breathing and Relaxation) she has developed a practical preparation for labour and offers tools to cope with fear and pain. Being fully informed and prepared makes for a less stressful delivery.
Coaching with archery Jac Rongen
International coach and facilitator Amsterdam
www.rongen.com
Jac has more than 20 years of experience in helping people deal with personal issues through archery. His method is swift and relaxed as the sessions take place in a private park. Jac feels that the best way to deal with past pain or future anxiety is to focus on the present while learning new skills in archery. This allows one to focus on the here and now rather than on past problems in order to achieve more in the future. access | autumn | 59
ACCESS Trainers | Meet our Trainers
re g is t er for c o u rses o n l i n e a t www . a c c ess - n l . or g , or c o n t a c t t r a i n er dire c t l y .
Helping you feel at home in the Netherlands Caitríona Rush
Cross-cultural consultant the Netherlands
www.athomeabroad.nl
Caitríona has spent 18 years living and working in 8 countries around the globe. She provides workshops, trainings and one-on-one sessions to both individuals and businesses. Her goal: to help internationals be happy living in the Netherlands, and to facilitate companies in achieving increased effectiveness and success when doing business with other cultures.
Childbirth preparation Lee Tolman
Physiotherapistacupuncturist The Hague
www.partnersinwellness.nl
Lee has undertaken extensive post-grad courses specialising in childbirth preparation, prenatal and postpartum complaints, menopause and infertility. Lee is currently practicing physiotherapy and acupuncture in a private practice in Voorburg and shares facilitation of the ACCESS childbirth preparation courses. She has been a Dutch resident for the past 20 years and a childbirth educator for ACCESS for 15 years.
Life coaching Carolyn Vines
Certified core energy life coach the Netherlands
youfirstcoaching.com
Besides being a Certified Professional Coach, Carolyn is an award-winning blogger, international speaker, author of the memoir “Black and (A)broad: Traveling Beyond the Limitations of Identity”, and mother of 3 bicultural, bilingual kids. She teaches parents experiencing mid-life crises, who also have small kids, how to unplug from their external busy-ness and reconnect to themselves and find their own solutions.
Childbirth preparation Ria Wiertz
Antenatal teacher Rotterdam
www.borstvoedingspijkenisse.nl
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Ria is a qualified antenatal teacher with over 15 years experience. Ria trained with the Stichting ter Verbreiding van de Psycho Prophylaxes Method, a Dutch Lamaze variant. She is a lactation consultant, personal coach and is qualified to teach Baby Massage. Ria is in the process of obtaining the official Lamaze Trainer Certificate so she can train others to give this wonderful course.
EXPAT? ASK KASIA FOR A DUTCH BANK ACCOUNT WITH SERVICES AND SUPPORT IN ENGLISH. Our International Client Desk welcomes you. “Hi, my name is Kasia. I’m an expert in expats. So I know what you’re going through. New environment. New job. New banking products. My multilingual colleagues at our International Client Desk and I are specialised in advising and serving you! At abnamro.nl/expat you’ll find more information and the Mobile Banking app in English. You’re always welcome!”