11 minute read
Know your ABCs
Know your ABCs
BY GIULIA QUARESIMA
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Relocating to a new country is a big change for all the family and it’s often difficult to adjust to homesickness, unfamiliar schedules, language, and cultural differences.
Inspired by her two young sons, Paola Bucciol came up with an innovative way to address such challenges, and to introduce the Netherlands to children who are moving here.
Paola Bucciol’s debut book The ABCs of Amsterdam– A first guide to the capital of the Netherlands is the first in a series of alphabetic guides to ‘foster children’s love of exploring and discovering’ new places.
When Bucciol (originally from Italy) and her family relocated to the
Netherlands, she was eager to involve her sons in the ‘moving process’ so they could feel excited and ready to settle in. It was this desire to help introduce her children to their new life which led to The ABCs of Amsterdam.
Alphabet Soep
Bucciol’s intention is to avoid excluding children from the changes involved with a relocation, and not just for her own sons but also for other families making a similar move. Bucciol discovered the best strategy was to highlight the positive aspects of a new place and quickly identify things to see and do. Bucciol defines The ABCs of Amsterdam as a ‘children’s travel companion and city guide in the shape of a diary to personalise and take notes.’
Each page of the book represents a different letter of the alphabet, and each letter corresponds to an individual, place of interest, or characteristic of the Dutch capital–or the Netherlands–with suggestions on things to do, places to explore, stuff to know, and fun facts.
A letter a day
The ABCs of Amsterdam contains illustrations by Ana Ioana Bos¸tin˘a which makes the book particularly attractive for children. “Illustrations are an excellent tool for developing interpretative skills and providing an immediate visual. They also complete the narrative and encourage children’s engagement.”
Bucciol’s book–combined with the artwork of Bos¸tin˘a–aims to help family relocations to Amsterdam/ the Netherlands go more smoothly. The layout of the book, its words and images offer an easy-to-grasp description of a place where windmills, bicycles and tulips are icons, and will allow children to have fun while getting familiar with the language, culture, and traditions of the Netherlands. «
About the author
Italian native Giulia Quaresima lives in The Hague and has been writing for ACCESS since 2019.
Thank you for helping ACCESS
Government & Patrons
We thank and acknowledge the following for their support and trust.
• Amstelveen Municipality • City of Delft • European Medicines Agency (EMA) • European Space Agency (ESA)/European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) • The Hague International Centre • IN Amsterdam • International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region • Sapienza Consulting • TU Delft (Coming to Delft Services) • Worley
Dual Career Support
For the particular needs and interests of accompanying spouses/partners the following may be of value.
• Angela Fusaro • Caitriona Rush • Caroline van den Bogaard • Colleen Reichrath-Smith • Connecting Women • Empower Amsterdam • Janet Rodenburg • Jonathon Regan • Marie Dewulf • Natália Leal • Rawia Liverpool • Teresa Moynihan • Toastmasters of The Hague • Veena Joseph • Volunteer The Hague • Women’s Business Initiative International
Relocating
Whether you are planning a relocation to the Netherlands, or have recently arrived and are getting settled.
• ABN AMRO • Expat Help • FVB De Boer • GMW Advocaten (Legal Expat Desk) • Mynta Law Immigration Lawyers • Prijsvergelijken • TaxSavers
Childcare
Daycare, after-school care and support for your children.
• Big Ben Kids • Johanne Bade • Kinderopvang 2SAMEN • True Colors Childcare • Villa Bloom • Zein International Childcare
Housing
The services of these partners speak for themselves – and cover your housing needs.
• !WOON • Expat Mortgages • My Dutch Mortgage Online • MLP Real Estate
Healthcare
Another category which speaks for itself, and includes members of our ACCESS Trainers Network.
• De Boezemvriend • Chitra Natarajan • Jac Rongen • Jacinta Noonan • Linda Bosma Malley • Meida van Baal • Maggie Bijl • Sandra Delgado Quist • Truus Gale
Learning & Education
For children as well as adults, includes language centres/schools.
• American Book Center • American School of The Hague • Amity International School Amsterdam • Beatriz Laus • British School in the Netherlands • British School of Amsterdam • Direct Dutch Institute • Harbour International School • HSV International School • International School of Amsterdam • International School Delft • International School of The Hague • International Waldorf School The Hague • Karin Holley • Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam • Rotterdam International Secondary School • SPEAK • Winford Bilingual Primary School • Ute Limacher-Riebold
Counselling Network
• Angelika Matthias • Ann Kuis • Caroline van Diest • Carolyn Tabak • Cristina Baroncelli • Danielle Hollreiser • Drew Puxty • Jeanine Souren • Karolina Fotyga • Katrina Antezana • Lysanne Sizoo • Mariza Thanapoulou • Marquerite Gallagher • Nuria Maldonado Bellido • Ophirah Toff • Patric Esters • Rosie Glicklich • Sivan Weinstein • Stephen Davies • Sylvia Silberg
Acknowledging our Partners, Counsellors, Trainers & Volunteer Managers
ACCESS is grateful for many things, not the least, the work of our strong and diverse volunteer community. They do the work – but the partners invest in us so that we are able to carry out our mission to serve the international community. Should you make use of them, do mention ACCESS referred you. Should you wish to help us serve the international community and include you in our acknowledgements, get in touch with fnd@access-nl.org.
Reflections
After over a decade as Chair of the Board, Gary Hays looks back on his time with the organisation.
In 35 years of ACCESS, the core reason for our existence may not have changed, but in the last ten years we’ve seen changes in the ‘type’ of internationals coming to live and work here, in the way they think, how they move between countries, and how ACCESS has adapted to continue to serve them.
Change
Internationals are maybe younger now with fewer married couples and more singles. There are maybe fewer men relocating with their ‘trailing spouse’ and more females. Perhaps more are moving to join a new company versus being transferred abroad by their current employer. In general, internationals now get less support from employers when moving but are more independent and digitally savvy. This is why ACCESS invested in a new website–attracting 40,000 hits a month (over half from abroad)–and ensured remote access to our database. This also helped when we switched to virtual work modes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adapt
Political views on ‘internationals’ have also changed. There’s now an understanding that inward investment requires a mobile workforce, which is why we partnered with the first Dutch ‘Expat Centre’ in The Hague. We since expanded our agreements at centres in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Leiden and, as municipalities change their priorities, ACCESS also adapts our support. A recent example is our newest centre in Amstelveen where we’ve been helping the growing Ukrainian community. Working with centres also generates income. Although we’re a not-for-profit volunteer organisation, we need money to provide information (free at point-of-contact) as many large companies employing internationals no longer give donations. Our Patron Programme–through which we helped the European Medicines Agency move to Amsterdam–was developed because of this.
Unchanged
Counselling has been part of ACCESS’s DNA since the beginning and our childbirth and first aid courses go from strength-to-strength. Peer-to-peer support might be a new concept in managing global mobility, but has always been at the core of what we do–a psychological process where trust is built, and information can be more readily accepted and understood. Our volunteers have been through the same experiences as those coming to us for help and also benefit from this peer-to-peer relationship.
Future
I used to think ACCESS might not be necessary anymore, but it seems we’re needed more than ever. There will still be changes, external and internal, but ACCESS will continue to evolve, remain relevant, and be important in the lives of the internationals and companies we support. «
Read more about it...
The ACCESS website is a repository for information and advice about moving to and living in the Netherlands. It also contains detailed articles on various topics that have featured in ACCESS Magazine… Scan a QR code below to find out more!
Arts & Entertainment
PHOTO: JASON-LEUNG
The carillon in Dutch culture Teaching yourself Dutch Healthy is the best (out)fit
Taste the carillon! Festival Oude Muziek (Malgosia Fiebig/ Carillon Domtoren Utrecht)
Education
PHOTO: JESHOOTS
2023 is on the way. Is learning Dutch on your resolutions list? Feel like getting outdoors and getting in shape in the new year? Planning on exploring the Netherlands? Then why not take the train…
International Community
PHOTO: COEN VAN DE-BROEK
Cover Story
PHOTO: BERT KAUFMANN
Moving architecture
Community & Media Partners
Our community partner groups and initiatives are listed below for additional support and information. Looking for something else, missing your community? Get in touch with our Helpdesks so we can help you further.
• American Women's Club of The Hague • Amsterdam International Community • Amsterdam Mamas • Broadcast Amsterdam • Delft MaMa • Dutch BuzZ • DutchNews • Expat Republic • ExpatINFO Holland • Expatriate Archive Centre • Expats Utrecht • Families in Global Transition • i am not a tourist (IANAT) bv • IamExpat • International Locals Amsterdam • Kalpanarts • M-space Graphic Designers • STET (English Theatre) • Stichting Bright Future • TheHagueOnline • Xpat Media
Start a new chapter of your career Start a new chapter of your career
with Zein International Childcare with Zein International Childcare
Are you interested in working for a truly unique international Are you interested in working for a truly unique international childcare organisation, with children from all over the world? childcare organisation, with children from all over the world?
As the leading provider of English-speaking and bilingual childcare As the leading provider of English-speaking and bilingual childcare services in the Netherlands, finding enthusiastic and dedicated staff services in the Netherlands, finding enthusiastic and dedicated staff who have a true passion for teaching, developing and caring for who have a true passion for teaching, developing and caring for children is one of our top priorities. children is one of our top priorities. Do you like the idea of working in a friendly team of colleagues ofDo you like the idea of working in a friendly team of colleagues of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds? Are you looking for a full-time, part-time, or flexible position? If so, then Zein could be just what you’re looking for! different nationalities and cultural backgrounds? Are you looking for a full-time, part-time, or flexible position? If so, then Zein could be just what you’re looking for! Alongside roles for qualified teachers, we offer places on the popular Zein Academy International Talent Programme. Through the ITP, enthusiastic candidates follow a training programme tailored to their prior (international) work experience and educational background to obtain a recognised childcare teaching diploma.
Visit www.zeinchildcare.nl for more information. Visit www.zeinchildcare.nl for more information.
