ACCESS Summer 2018

serving t h e i n t e r n at i o n a l community www.access-nl.org

Free for yo to pic u k up

Dutch Castles & Gardens 2018

Summer

In this issue | Exploring Dutch castles & gardens | Tuning in with internationals | Reviewing Monday morning emails | Discovering re-purposed churches | At home in a hofje |

Zein Holiday Camps Join the adventure...

Whether you’re looking for something fun to keep your child occupied, or you need full time care while you’re at work, Zein has the answer!

Exciting English-speaking Activity Day Camps offering a great range of sports, crafts, games, workshop activities and field trips. Running Monday to Friday across multiple locations in The Hague region during all school summer holidays for children from 4-12 years.

Multi-Activity Camp

Multi-Sports Camp

STEM Camp (Science,

Cookery Camp

Technology, Engineering & Math)

Art Camp

Performing Arts Camp

Adventure Camp

Multi-Sports Camp with a focus on Football

www.holidaycamps.nl for details & registration Zein International Childcare

Day Care

Pre-School

After School Care

Holiday Camps

Letter from the Editorial Team

Deborah

Dear ACCESS readers Collaboration is a way of life at ACCESS, and this issue has witnessed it at the ed­itorial level. Expertly planned by Mandie van der Meer, assisted by Nancy Kroonenberg and Kelly Merks through the editorial phases, supported by our Funding and Advertising teams, and coordinated by Deborah Valentine, we can happily say this group effort has worked in the preparation of our summer issue.

Mandie

Join us as Alice Burke takes us through stunning castles and gardens in the Netherlands. Joshua Parfitt introduces us to the Dutch hofjes and Anuja TipnisRandive leads us through an exhibit on Knights and Castles. Maybe you would like to give our ‘royal recipe’ a chance and share your experiences with us?

Kelly

We are introduced to international podcasts and radio programmes by Tracey Taylor; and teachers at international schools by Olivia van den Broek -Neri.

Discover with Molly Quell just how creative the Dutch can be when re-purposing churches.

Editorial Team

We are, though, all part of the expatriate experience: the ups, downs, and in­betweens. So, to support us all, Deborah Valentine talks to a therapist about the value of Emotional Focussed Therapy for expat couples, and Ute Limacher-Riebold has reviewed a unique book with a lot of resources for parents, leaders, entrepreneurs and more.

Oh, and did you see our new website — www.access-nl.org? We are so happy it is finally launched and welcome your thoughts about it.

With appreciation for all the teams at ACCESS who share their time and expertise with us, and make it possible to serve you, the international community!

Sincerely, The Editorial Team

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 3

About ACCESS

Colophon

For 30 years ACCESS has been an independent

Publisher

not-for-profit organisation serving

Stichting ACCESS

internationals so they may settle successfully

Editorial content

in the Netherlands. Our mission is to provide

editor@access-nl.org

essential, comprehensive and unique services

Advertising

nationally, through the expertise and

070 345 1700

experience of our dedicated volunteers from

fnd@access-nl.org

the expatriate community.

Editors Mandie van der Meer-Danielski,

Our magazine complements the services we provide through our Helpdesk, FAQ Guides, Counselling Service Network and Trainers Network. Our intention is to further facilitate our readers’ settlement process in your new home, by providing content which helps you better understand the country; discover things about it you may not have been aware of; encourage connection with your Dutch neighbours and colleagues; and offer contributors a platform to share your skills.

ACCESS Magazine aims to be: • welcoming • informative • educational • entertaining • original

Deborah Valentine Assistant Editors Nancy Kroonenberg, Kelly Merks Design & Layout Marek Moggré, M-space Printer Edauw en Johannissen Drukkerij Cover image

Have feedback for us? Interested in contributing to the magazine?

Please contact the Editor at ­editor@access-nl.org. We love to hear from our community!

Muiderslot

Executive Board: Chairman: Gary Hays, Valshebnik Consulting .

Members: Koosje Ploegmakers, ABN AMRO - Godelijn Boonman, GMW Advocaten - Lowri van der Linden, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, Pauline O'Brien, Council of International Schools.

Museon The Hague, Ben Blass,

Contents images (clockwise) Muiderslot, Sierhuis Fotografie, Issa Shaker Contributors

0900 2 ACCESS (0900 2 222 377)

@

Aafke Mertens, Alice Burke, Anuja

local rate 20c per minute

Tipnis-Randive, Bob Powers, Joshua

helpdesk@access-nl.org

James Parfitt, Molly Quell, Olivia van den Broek, Shimrit Florentin, Tracey

www.access-nl.org

Taylor, Ute Limacher-Riebold

Laan van Meerdervoort 70 - 1st Floor 2517 AN The Hague

Join ACCESS on

4 | ACCESS | WINTER 2017

10

Summer 2018 Vol. 31 No. 2 Circulation: 5,000 Also available online at: magazine.access-nl.org

Contents 7 What’s On for Summer 10 Cover Story Historical colour in a Dutch landscape 19 International Community

19

Tuning in with internationals 23 Travel A new life for old churches

7

29 Review Letter writing the expat way 31 Food Secrets from the castle's kitchen 32 Arts & Entertainment Journey through medieval times 35 Education Teachers' stories: the international school experience 39 ACCESS News 40 Health & Wellbeing Keeping the romance alive

35

43 Dutch Lifestyle At home in a hofje 45 Humour from DutchNews.nl Copyright ACCESS 2018 All rights reserved. No part of the ACCESS Magazine 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.

32

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 5

Settling in, simply.

We’re here to make it easier for internationals to work and register in the Amsterdam area. Qualifying companies can start the paperwork before arrival and a single visit to International Newcomers Amsterdam (IN Amsterdam, formerly called the Expatcenter Amsterdam) will complete the process.

What’s more, our website has loads of valuable information on a wide range of topics including education,taxes, healthcare and housing.

The cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere, Diemen, Haarlem, Haarlemmermeer, Hilversum and Velsen are working with the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (IND) to bring you the IN Amsterdam services.

To learn more please visit: www.inamsterdam.com

What’s On

Special events in June Festival Mundial festivalmundial.nl (Dutch only)

Finish of the Volvo Ocean Race volvooceanracedenhaag.nl/?lang=en

23 - 24 June – Tilburg 24 June - 1 July – The Hague

PHOTO: KEES STRAVERS

Feel like something different? Fresh?

Non-mainstream? This festival is it!

Cultural and musical diversity are key words to describe this laid-back event.

Featuring both emerging and established artists, Festival Mundial offers plenty of opportunities to discover your next musical obsession while dancing in the streets of Tilburg.

Animé 2018

Held every three years, this yacht sailing race has been making waves as the world’s longest. After taking off from Spain in October, the Volvo Ocean Race will end in The Hague for the first time in its history, and you can be there to witness it! The race village offers activities for children, competitions, exhibitions, music, and lots of water sports to try out.

animecon.nl

15 - 17 June – The Hague

De Parade deparade.nl (Dutch only)

Originality and quirkiness guaranteed at this animated celebration of modern Asian popular culture. Featuring cosplay, manga, games, special guests, and much more. Choose from a huge list of events including competitions, music and dance, food and drink, lectures, and speed dating!

29 June - 2 September (dates vary by city) Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam De Parade offers unique and exclusive music, theatre, and dance performances in a ­t­­­ra­velling festival format that visits all four major cities in the Netherlands. Children will also not be bored with performances and workshops especially for them, and of course there is always lekker food and drinks. Which city are you going for this year?

Kunst aan de EE 2018 www.irisandersmooi.nl/kunst-aan-de-ee/

29 June - 8 July – Woudsend

PHOTO: JOEP VAN AERT

Kill two birds with one stone by visiting this great art exhibition and one of the loveliest villages in the Netherlands.

Alongside paintings, photographs and jewelry, you can also enjoy works made with various materials: glass, bronze, ceramics, and more. As 60 artists will present their work, everyone is sure to find something to their liking. Be sure to combine your visit with a stroll through the cozy village of Woudsend; you will not be disappointed!

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 7

What’s On

Special events in July Kids Mud Run bijdaanevents.nl/kids-mud-run

1 July – Emmen

Drentse 4 Days of Cycling

rotterdamunlimited.com/en/

fiets4daagse.nl (Dutch only)

24 - 28 July – Rotterdam 24 - 27 July Various locations in Drenthe This four-day bicycle tour truly offers something for everyone. Take an easy bike ride through one of the scenic routes, go for a more challenging experience on your mountain bike, or choose another option from the cycling menu.

A wonderful opportunity to see Drenthe while celebrating the most Dutch means of transportation!

PHOTO: STUDIO POL FOTOGRAFIE

Rotterdam Unlimited

Put on your dancing shoes and head to Rotterdam for this huge celebration of cultures. The streets of Rotterdam will be overwhelmed by 'a wave of color, music and an incredible boost of energy.' Picture yourself in the Caribbean as you dance in the summer carnival’s street parade and enjoy this street festival that combines a massive variety of outdoor stages, music and food. And all of this for free!!

Humanity House: Ai Weiwei – Relating to Refugees humanityhouse.org/en/exposition/ai-weiwei-relating-to-refugees/ The Kids Mud Run is an obstacle course where children get an opportunity to challenge themselves by climbing, d­igging, running through water, and more. Children ages 6 to 15 are welcome to try it out, and parents can p­articipate with smaller children.

There is no competition involved; it’s all about being active and getting dirty!

Through 31 December – The Hague Thousands of photos covering two spaces give a strong impact of the magnitude of the refugee crisis today, while not forgetting that real people and real lives are at stake. As a political refugee, artist Ai Weiwei has the experience of escaping one difficult place just to encounter new difficulties in another. All photographs were taken in refugee camps in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Elfwegentocht elfwegentocht.nl/english-parade

Support an important cause by joining this environmentally-friendly parade where all vehicles are fossil-fuel-free!

Come promote sustainability with your own version of a fossil-fuel-free vehicle, be it a boat, Segway, or even your trusty bicycle. Don’t forget to register online!

8 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

PHOTO: ELLEN DANIELS HUMANITY HOUSE

14 July – Friesland

What’s On

Special events in August Want to post a community event in this magazine? Contact ACCESS Magazine at editor@access-nl.org subject: ‘What’s On’.

Haarlem Culinair

Ballon Fiësta Barneveld

haarlemculinair.nl (Dutch only)

ballonfiestabarneveld.nl (Dutch only)

2 - 5 August – Haarlem

22 - 25 August –Barneveld

Attracting large crowds, this is the 24th edition of this yummy festival.

Restaurants from Haarlem and the s­urrounding area present their best dishes in one location and for affordable prices. It is an excellent opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Haarlem and sample some super-creative cuisine.

Do not miss the unique up-close sight of hot air balloons floating above in the Barneveld sky. This four-day event also features extraordinary balloons in non-traditional shapes that are guaranteed to steal the show. Enjoy various activities on the ground while watching the balloons as you wait for the spectacular nightglow and laser show that closes each day of this celebration.

The Giants of Royal de Luxe friesland.nl/en/european-capital-of-culture/ calendar/202169970/ the-giants-of-royal-de-luxe

The Royal de Luxe French street theatre is bringing its iconic giants to the European capital of culture! In this truly impressive event, 12-meter-tall giants are going to walk through the streets of Leeuwarden. The giants are also going to be sleeping out on the street, so you can come sing a lullaby and even have breakfast with them!

PHOTO: BEN BL+ÑSS

17 - 19 August – Leeuwarden

Brabantsedag brabantsedag.nl (Dutch only)

OVG Veerhaven Concert veerhavenconcert.nl (Dutch only)

26 August – Heeze PHOTO: ROYAL DE LUXE ARTCOMPRESS PASCAL VICTOR

25 - 26 August – Rotterdam Launched in 1958, this is the 61st edition of this special day that celebrates Brabant’s folklore and culture. During the day young and old can enjoy cabaret, art, street theatre and music as they get to know a little more about the province of Brabant. The highlight of it all is the cultural history parade where floats and actors liven up the streets of Heeze like only Brabant can do!

A special open-air performance of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Toonkunst Amsterdam Choir in Veerhaven offers experiencing classical music in a different way. 130 musicians take the stage on a floating pontoon, and spectators are welcome to view and listen from a boat or from the docks as they float on the sound of music.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 9

Cover story

Castles and gardens of the

Historical colour in

10 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Lowlands:

a Dutch landscape A land known for flatness and its pioneering jaunts to the New World is not necessarily the first place you’d think of when it comes to grand castles and lush gardens, but the Netherlands is a place of subtle mystery, and architectural and botanic beauty lies all around.

BY ALICE BURKE

Castles from many eras stand proudly in almost every province, with the most renowned being Muiderslot in Noord Holland and the strikingly decadent De Haar castle in Utrecht. The Japanese Gardens of The Hague and the cherry blossoms of the Amsterdamse Bos add even more colour to the Dutch palette. They offer a breath of fresh air as the spring tulips fade to make way for a (hopefully) bright summer spent outdoors on the canals and waterways.

PHOTO: MUIDERSLOT

It would be impossible to cover the hundreds of Dutch castles and gardens here, but we’ve selected a few outstanding locations to introduce you to a lesser-known world just under your nose.

As you navigate the Netherlands on your quest to uncover these majestic buildings, you’ll notice the names change from province to province. A smaller, home-style castle to you or me becomes a “borg” in » ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 11

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Cover story | Historical colour in a Dutch landscape

Groningen. These borgs were usually larger villas or strongholds belonging to noblemen and rich citizens. In Friesland, a borg becomes a “stins”, originating from the West Frisian “stienhûs,” or stone house.

Many of these borgs and stins were demolished due to high upkeep costs, but some still remain intact and are generally used as museums. Good examples are the Fraeylemaborg in Slochteren and the Wedderborg hotel surrounded by a moat in Wedde, where you can spend a night in a 14th-century room.

Kings of the castle

Although not a castle, it would be remiss to not include the current royals and the Royal Palace when talking about castle-related history in the

PHOTO: KASTEEL DE HAAR UTRECHT

As you navigate the Netherlands on your quest to uncover these majestic buildings, you’ll notice the names change from province to province.

Netherlands. The Royal Palace presides over Amsterdam’s Dam Square like a stately monarch itself. It was originally built as a city hall during the Dutch Golden age by Jacob van Campen and was said to be inspired by the town hall of Antwerp.

This is not where the royals live, however, with the King choosing a much more scenic home.

The Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and family live in Villa Eikenhorst in The Hague, situated on a forested estate near Wassenaar. The estate has been part of the holdings of the Dutch royal family since the 1800s and is unfortunately not open to the p­ublic, but you can wander around nearby in some beautiful landscapes. There are many trails in the area, varying in distance from 1 to 7.5 km, with se­veral of them also wheelchair accessible.

Muiderslot, or Muiden Castle, is located only 15 kilometres from Amsterdam and was built in 1370 by Albrecht, the Duke of Bavaria. Muiderslot is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been fe­atured in a number of television shows set in me­dieval times. Today, the castle is used as a national museum and is open to the public.

De Haar Castle in Utrecht is the largest of all the Dutch castles, and it’s stated that it began life as a structure as far back as 1391. The castle that stands today was not the original structure but Did you k was built in the same location. Its restoration now..

Gelde .­ rland took place in the late 1800s and was funded has th most e numb er of by the Rothschild family. The castle is open castle s. to the general public but can only be v­isited as part of guided tours. Fairs and concerts are also held on the castle grounds throughout the year, including a beautiful Christmas fair and a fa­ntasy and cosplay event called Elfia, which attracts elves, pirates, and storybook characters from all over.

Visitors can wander through the castle’s grounds, and beautiful lakes and bridges can be found scattered throughout the property as well as an impressive maze. » ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 13

Cover story | Historical colour in a Dutch landscape

The gardens of Rosendael Castle are some of the oldest in the country, dating back more than 300 years.

Ammersoyen is home to an impressively complex and vertigo-inducing winding staircase and was built in 1350 near the Maas River. The castle has had a very complex history, serving as a convent for a time in the late 19th century and as a shelter for local villagers during World War II. The castle was later used as a village hall until it was purchased by the Gelderland Castle Trust in the late 1950s. It has since been restored to its former medieval glory.

Mentions of Rosendael Castle in Gelderland can be traced back to the early 14th century. In World War II, the castle was hit by a bomb. A stray V2 rocket also decimated part of the park. After the war, the property fell into ruins until 1977 when William Frederick Torck Baron Pallandtstraat donated the castle to the Geldersch Landscape. The gardens and the house were then partially restored. Both the castle and the park are among the top 100 UNESCO monuments in the Netherlands.

PHOTO: M. M. MINDERHOUD

More reading on castles and gardens of the Netherlands www.gardenvisit.com/ gardens/in/holland en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_castles_in_the_ Netherlands www.everycastle.com

14 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Doornenburg Castle is a beautifully preserved 13th-century castle in East Gelderland. It’s composed of several smaller castles joined together by a wooden bridge and is also one of the largest castles in the country. The castle was almost destroyed d­uring World War II in a bombing raid in early 1945, but it was rebuilt between 1947 and 1968 and has since gone from strength to strength. Doornenburg Castle and its tea rooms can be visited by the public.

Visitors can tour the courtyard for free but can only see the interior of the castle through a guided tour, which is highly recommended due to its detailed itinerary, allowing you a good nosy look at the life of a Dutch castle dweller in medieval times.

The gardens of Rosendael Castle are some of the ol­dest in the country, dating back more than 300 years. There are more than 70 different species of trees, herbs, and shrubs featured in the garden, and more than 40 species of birds call Rosendael home.

And last in our concise list, Duivenoorde Castle is one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands, a truly stunning and still-inhabited castle with roots as far back as the 1200s. Huge renovations have taken place throughout the centuries, with some of the most famous Dutch noble families living there through generations. The castle itself is open to visitors annu-

ally from April to October, but the surrounding estate is open all year and is ideal for walkers and hikers with access to neighbouring estates and beautiful grounds.

Clingendael and its complex history is one of the most fascinating parts of the Netherlands. The estate, located between The Hague and Wassenaar, has an eventful history. Since the 16th-century, various garden and landscape architects have contributed towards the look and atmosphere of this country estate.

Like many stately homes and gardens in the Netherlands, the estate played its own role in World War II and was seized by the Germans. The head of the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, Arthur Seyss Inquart, lived at Clingendael and built a bunker on the grounds. To this day it still stands as a silent monument to lost lives and terrible power, although now overpowered itself by Mother Nature as tree roots envelop its concrete.

PHOTO: DUIVENOORDE - RENÉ ZOETEMELK

Gardens, parks, and recreation

Back up north to Amsterdam, we find the beautifully transient cherry blossom park of the Amsterdamse Bos. Only in bloom for a week or so, the park sakura is a small haven located within the vast Amsterdamse Bos or forest. The 400 cherry blossom trees were a gift from the Japan Women’s Club of Amstelveen in 2000 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Netherlands Japan Friendship Treaty. Take a cycle through the forest before crossing the bamboo »

Clingendael is also home to the Japanese Garden, a very magical place that opens for only eight weeks per year because of the delicate and fragile nature of the plants inside. The Japanese Garden was created in the beginning of the 20th century by the former owner of the Clingendael country estate, Marguérite M. Baroness van Brienen, also called Lady Daisy.

Lady Daisy undertook several voyages by ship to Japan. She brought back to the Netherlands a number of lanterns, a water cask, sculptures, the little bridges and possibly the pavilion.

The garden is open from 28 April to 10 June and again from 13 to 23 October in 2018. It is not possible to visit with prams, baby strollers or electric mobility devices, but the garden is partially wheelchair accessible.

PHOTO: CRIS TOALA OLIVARES

The estate house is now home to the Clingendael Institute of International Relations, but visitors are free to wander the beautiful grounds and bask in their wonder and history.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 15

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Cover story | Historical colour in a Dutch landscape

bridge to picnic under a canopy of pink p­etals: a rare and lovely treat, only blossoming at nature’s behest around mid-April each year.

The Hortus botanicus in Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. The oldest section of the Hortus, dating back to 1590, is the current Front Garden. It has been renovated with new plants and in 2000; a new glasshouse was added to form the Winter Garden. The Clusius Garden gives an impression of what the Hortus was like around 1600, when the bonds between the Netherlands and Asia were formed. The exchange of plants and knowledge between these cultures can be seen in the Japanese Garden. The Hortus’ pride, Victoria amazonica – a stunning water lily - can be admired in the Victoria Glasshouse.

The Belmonte Arboretum is tucked away in an estate near Wageningen and is a wonderful place to visit.

Formerly a part of the botanical gardens of

The Hortus botanicus in Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. The oldest section of the Hortus, dating back to 1590...

PHOTO: HERMAN BERKHOUDT

Wageningen University, it is home to plant collections that are valuable for research or have a social or cultural-historical value. It has 1,500 species of rhododendrons in its collection, which is the largest collection of rhododendrons in the Benelux.

Additionally, there are cherry, apple, pear, hawthorn, rowan, magnolia, and dove trees as well as roses from Gelderland.

There’s no lack of choice when it comes to finding a way to while away a sunny afternoon in a Dutch castle or garden. The Netherlands offers a refreshing variety of shapes and sizes of castles -- from the neater borgs and stins to the traditional medieval keeps, showing a range of architecture not often seen in ­castle structures.

PHOTO: HORTUS

It’s also lovely to see that not all flowers are tulips, and the botanical lushness of the Netherlands is as wonderful and varied as its people. So get reading, get planning and get visiting castles, borgs, stins and blossoming gardens—and soon—because as we all know too well in the Lowlands, winter is coming. «

About the author Alice Burke is a writer and editor based in The Hague. Find her on Twitter at @auroraborealice.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 17

Law | Partner Feature

A lost garden: can it be regained?

Imagine, a magnificent castle surrounded by beautiful gardens. Each garden with its own unique theme but so large that the owner is not able to to admire them all on a regular basis.

One day he discovers that, years before, a neighbour grabbed a small piece of garden from him. Even though the neighbour knew that it was not his, he claimed ownership of it!

Is this right? And what can the owner do about it?

BY DANIËLLE VAN DEN HEUVEL

While the neighbour is correct in his assertion that he can be the owner of the piece of garden, provided that it has been in his possession for at least 20 years, from a legal point of view, ‘being in possession of ’ also means that he must have acted as if he was the rightful owner.

What the courts say

070 361 5048 www.legalexpatdesk.nl

18 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Until recently, the former owner in this case would not have been able to do anything about this.

However, a ruling made by the Dutch Supreme Court on 24 February 2017 has led to a change. In its ruling, the Supreme Court judged that the neighbour who had grabbed the piece of land had indeed acquired ownership of it. However, the Supreme Court also declared that the former owner could claim back the piece of land. After all, the neighbour in this case, the ‘new’ owner had acted unlawfully all these years

against the former owner, because he knowingly grabbed the piece of land. With this ruling, the former owner may initiate proceedings against the new owner in order to claim back the piece of land.

In such a procedure, the judge may dismiss the claim and stipulate that in its place, compensation is to be paid.

New cases, not clarity

Since the ruling mentioned above is contrary to established practice, it remains to be seen how judges will deal with it in the future. In one case, the Court of Rotterdam recently only awarded compensation and rejected the claim for the return of the piece of land. In another ruling made by the Court of North Holland, the judge rejected the claim for compensation as well as the claim for the return of the piece of land. According to the judge in the ­latter case, there were different circumstances than in the case submitted to the Supreme Court.

... the ruling ... is contrary to established practice, it remains to be seen how judges will deal with it in the future.

It is therefore too early to say that once ‘lost’ a piece of land can be claimed back or even that compen­ sation must be paid. Thus it remains possible that the lovely piece of garden would be, forever lost. «

International Community

Tuning in with Internationals Back in the 1980s, the Buggles proclaimed that “Video Killed the Radio Star”. But in hindsight, perhaps they were a tad too hasty.

BY TRACEY TAYLOR

Here in the Netherlands, it seems there is a surge in the popularity of English-language radio programmes and podcasts and a definite appetite for the information and service that such forums provide.

We decided to tune in and hear all about these inter­ national voices of broadcasting who are making (air) waves all over the country!

When you choose to make your home in a foreign land, it does come with its own set of hurdles. Next to the stress of actually moving are fresh challenges relating to language barriers and navigating your way around a new place. But here is where radio can really come into play with local broadcasts delivered by informed internationals who know what’s going on in your area and the topics, issues, and events that are relevant and important to you. Let’s meet some of them!

Here In Holland Andy Clark has been an expat in the Netherlands for almost 20 years and is originally from Middlesborough in the northeast of England. A happily married chap with three daughters, Andy found himself listening to a lot of podcasts and

decided to leverage his own experience and background and generate a series of his own.

Andy is a one-man team and has been making Here In Holland podcasts for over a year, meeting all sorts of weird and wonderful people along the way!

“The main driver was to offer a platform for fellow internationals in the country” says Andy, “and to help people in a similar situation feel more at home by creating a feeling of community.”

Here In Holland podcasts are recorded in Leiden once a fortnight, run for about 30 minutes and can be found online or via Spotify. A neat twist is that listeners have the chance to become patrons of the show. Folks can signup for various packages including the Stroopwafel and Big Cheese!

The subjects of the podcasts generally focus on life with the Dutch and sharing those stories that we can all relate to…

Stuff to make you laugh, cry, and pull your hair out! www.hereinholland.nl www.patreon.com/hereinholland

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 19

International Community | Tuning in with Internationals

Broadcast Amsterdam Cathy Leung, a UK national, has been in the Netherlands about nine years. She is founder and executive producer of Broadcast Amsterdam, which is a 24/7 internet radio station featuring both talk and music and providing a platform to local podcasters to share their content with the community.

She would encourage podcast producers to get in touch.

casts a week including a drive-time show from 17:00-19:00 and a lunchtime show on Fridays. In short, lots and lots h­appening in the Dam! www.broadcastamsterdam.nl www.facebook.com/broadcastamsterdam

Though Broadcast Amsterdam make their programmes in English, the team still try to “build a bridge” to Dutch where they can. The team is also keen to ensure the right mix of content for listeners, and based on recent surveys, it seems the desire for hyper-local news is high.

“Our main focus right now is to build our audience” says Cathy, “and if people don’t like what they hear, then they should tell us. We are a work in progress after all!”

Broadcast Amsterdam has a small team of volunteers but they are always looking to get more individuals involved.

Going forward, the hope is to eventually do six live broad-

DutchbuzZ Lily-Anne Stroobach is Dutch but lived in South Africa for the best part of 40 years. She is now back in the Netherlands and home is the vibrant city of The Hague.

She is founder, editor, producer, and presenter of DutchbuzZ, which has been the English-language radio broadcast for listeners in the Hague for almost eight years. The show airs live on Den Haag FM 92.0 every Tuesday from 22:00-23:00, along with a live webcam feed. The live show is then converted into a podcast which is available as of noon on Wednesdays. A polished process in operation!

The DutchbuzZ team is well established and appropriately represented by members of the international community. Last count showed they had seven nationalities onboard which makes for a nice blend of accents onair. “DutchbuzZ is the voice of internationals in The Hague” says Lily-Anne, “and the key is to pick up what happens locally and determine whether it has an impact on the international community”.

Given its large following and Lily-Anne’s strong background in radio journalism, DutchbuzZ looks to be in very good hands going forward! www.dutchbuzz.nl - www.denhaagfm.nl

20 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

DutchNews Molly Quell hails from the USA but relocated to the Netherlands about six years ago. She and her Dutch boyfriend recently signed off on their first house so it would seem that Molly is here for the long haul!

With a background in digital journalism, Molly began working for DutchNews as a contributing editor and soon had the idea of creating a podcast for internationals. She hatched a plan and the result is a 30-minute news wrap with interviews, discussions and tips for the weekend.

A fun element about the podcast is that it’s all recorded in Molly’s walk-in closet at her home in Delft! Presenter Molly is joined every Friday by co-hosts Gordon Darroch and Paul Peeters and together they record and edit the DutchNews podcast so that it’s readytogo by 14:00.

“Although we are very serious about the content of the show” says Molly, “we still try to keep it light and entertaining. And we often post on Facebook or

The Maastricht Edition

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The w .­ ord

“broa dcasti ng” rigina lly an agricu ltural term for the sc atterin g of seeds ! was o

Twitter to get ideas from listeners about what they want to hear about.”

Always on the lookout for ways to target the inter­ national demographic, DutchNews had a stall at a recent IamExpat fair in Amsterdam where Molly was approached by a listener and asked for her autograph!

Who says radio isn’t cool? www.dutchnews.nl - www.soundcloud.com/dutchnewsnl

And last but not least, a special mention for The Maastricht Edition, an English language radio programme with fun chat, lively guests, local news and funky music that airs live on Thursdays from 19:00-21:00 on RTV Maastricht 107.5 FM. You can also listen back via podcast. Tune in with your hosts Matt Williams, Jo Stephenson, and Tracey Taylor for their upbeat and popular weekly magazine radio show broadcast from the heart of South Limburg. www.facebook.com/themaastrichtedition www.instagram.com/themaastrichtedition

About the author Tracey Taylor is an Irish gal living in Maastricht. She’s a writer, radio co-host and foodie, and lives with boyfriend Dave and their fancy cat, Tubbs.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 21

Education | Partner Feature

Building the OasISH Island

An Art meets Science Community Project Behind the beach of Kijkduin, lies a beautiful expanse of dunes, hosting sport fields and protected natural areas.

BY ISH ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION

The dunes themselves, referred to by the locals as “Puin Duinen” (rubble dunes), were constructed from post-war debris but today remnants are difficult to spot. Preserving the nature in this area is very important to the International School of The Hague (ISH) and we try to incorporate that in the outside space at all times. Our exciting new ISH community initiative called OasISH Island does just that.

Collaborative minds

070 328 1450 www.ishthehague.nl

22 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Elisabeth Chute, an ISH art teacher, started the ball rolling by inviting students, teachers and community organisations within ISH, including GIN (Global Issues Network) and GLOBE (The Global Learning

and Observations to Benefit the Environment) to join in “open door” creative workshops to explore the potential of designing our own green spaces, designed to be not only beneficial to health but also imaginative and aesthetically pleasing. A working group was soon formed of Science and Art teachers, students and the student-led association, ISH Enterprises. Partnered by local artists Annechien Meier and Gert Jan Gerlach from Laboratory of Microclimates, they explored the question, “If you could make your own oasis, what would it look like?”. Many ideas were explored in a variety of ­locations and, in the end, the amazing OasISH Island was created: a floating, man-made island in the ISH pond.

OasISH Island is a self-regulating ecosystem that will host a variety of flora and fauna. The relationship between the island and its natural and man-made surroundings will help address and promote important issues, such as ecological versatility and balance, sustainability, and the management of water and energy. As for the design, OasISH is more than merely a garden on an island. Students from the ISH Art and Design departments worked together with the artists to come up with solutions that are both practical and aesthetically attractive.

The care of the OasISH Island will rely on the ISH c­ommunity and relationships with internal and external experts. One of the aims of OasISH is ma­king important issues visible and tangible to t­he community. Only then will members of the community feel stimulated to work towards solutions. «

Travel

A new life for old churches According to census data, it all started to go downhill for religion in the Netherlands around 1869. That’s the year that more than 1% of the Dutch population identified itself as non-religious. So, what’s a country to do when they spent the last few centuries building churches but now has no one who attends? Perhaps turn those beautiful buildings into hotels. Or office space. Or a restaurant. Or even a private home.

The trend towards atheism and agnosticism may have started in 1869 but it took until 2015 for more than half of the population of the Netherlands to

identify as non-religious. In that time, nearly half of the country’s churches fell into disuse. And that trend is projected to continue. In fact, another 1,000 Catholic churches and 700 Protestant churches are predicted to fall out of use in the coming decade.

Architect Almaz Paalvast, who wrote her thesis “Experiencing the Atmosphere” on the re-use of churches, points out that this trend doesn’t merely create empty buildings. “Neighbourhoods will be confronted with these empty churches, which for many centuries have been the centrepiece of Did the community. Especially in small towns, you k n o w often consisting of only a handful of public . ..­ The N etherla nds is home buildings and a few houses, the abandoned to mo re ath eists than r eligio churches form a big hole in the town us people ? ce­ntre,” she writes.

PHOTO: PLANET JUMP

BY MOLLY QUELL

As these buildings usually have a historical or architectural value, it is often expensive and difficult to repurpose them. Many have been protected as rijks­monumenten or national monuments, greatly restricting what can be done to the construction of the building. Despite these hurdles, many former churches in the Netherlands have found new lives as all sorts of establishments. » ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 23

Travel | A new life for old churches

“ Neighbourhoods will be confronted with these empty churches, which for many centuries have been the centrepiece of the community.“

The Lord’s Home Is Now Your Home

For the very extravagant, how about turning that church into a private home? At least two former churches in the Netherlands have been transformed into single family dwellings in the past few years.

The St. Jakobuskerk in Utrecht stopped holding services in 1991, then became a showroom for antique furniture. In 2007, it was purchased by a private f­amily and over two years ZECC architects turned the spacious church into a family home. They tried to change as little as possible of the church aesthetics while creating a functional space. In Rotterdam, another church, unused since the 1960s, was also converted into a family home by Ruud Visser Architects.

According to the architectural firm, the owners felt the space was much too large for a home, but due to the building’s historical nature, they couldn’t renovate the façade. Instead, a separate home inside the church was constructed, leaving the church’s arched room but creating a more reasonable space.

24 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Oh, Holy Night

If buying or renovating an entire church is out of your budget, how about staying in one for a night or two?

The Kruisherenhotel Maastricht is the site of a former monastery and church which now houses guests in its hotel and welcomes diners in its restaurant.

It’s one of several hotel properties owned by Camille Oostwegel, according to Anniek Wilms-Bemelmans, Operations Manager for the hotel.

PHOTO: JAKOBUSKERK

Located in Maastricht, the hotel sits on the grounds of a 15th-century abbey, founded by monks from an order in Utrecht. Oostwegel first opened a hotel in a nearby former castle and then found the Kruisheren cloister complex was for sale. The local government initially rejected the renovations plan, but, after r­edoing the designs to maintain more of the external structure of the abbey, the plans were approved and the hotel and restaurant opened in 2005.

Though its former inhabitants may have taken vows of poverty, hotel guests won’t have to. The hotel was awarded a five star rating by the European Hotel Classification organisation.

PHOTOS: KRUISHERENHOTEL

A Blessed Meal

The Kruisheren Restaurant is not the only dining e­stablishment housed in a former church. Restaurant De Basiliek, located within the Nicolaaskerk in Appingedam, was bought by catering company De Vesting in 2017. Prior to that, it had housed a ­cafeteria run by Stichting NOVO who employed p­eople with disabilities, allowing them to gain work experience. The company set up De Basiliek, serving modern Dutch fare and even keeping the p­revious employees on staff. The chef, Willem Bos, has no star ambitions for the restaurant but wants to make food the neighbours can enjoy and you can enjoy a five-course dinner.

In Schipluiden, near Delft, you can find Hodenpijl, a restaurant serving local and organic food in a former church. The complex has four buildings and large gardens. The restaurant uses vegetables grown on » ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 25

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Travel | A new life for old churches

which was also used as a base of resistance during WWII, has even been turned into a villa you can rent for a special occasion.

P.J.H. Cuypers, the same architect who designed Amsterdam’s central station and the Rijksmuseum, also designed the Posthoornkerk. Its use as a church spanned 100 years, from when the church was f­inished in 1889 until 1989, when it was decommissioned and turned into a space to be leased for business and social occasions. You can still get married here, but you can also throw a party or host an exhibition.

PHOTO: ST PIETERSKERK

Doing The Lord’s Work

It isn’t all hotels and restaurants either. There are lots of creative solutions for the 2,000 something former churches in the country. the grounds and also maintains an event space, which can be rented for weddings and other happenings. In a fitting nod to the importance of Sunday in the Christian tradition, the restaurant serves a special chef ’s menu on the day.

A Church Wedding

Pieterskerk Leiden will welcome you for your wedding.

But also for your dinner, exhibition, and concert.

There’s even an escape room on the premises.

Founded around 1100, it’s the oldest church in Leiden. It lost its religious function in 1971 and was transferred to a foundation which could manage the space for cultural uses. The former sexton’s house,

Want to grab a cup of coffee with the founder of a cool new startup while standing in a beautiful old church? Rent a space at the St. Annakerk in Breda.

The neo-gothic church was built in 1905 and renovated by the Monumentenfonds Brabant in 2005 to offer nearly 3,000 square meters of office space.

The former church now houses three companies and also leases spaces to entrepreneurs and freelancers.

You can also rent the entry hall for special events.

More Good Deeds

It isn’t all hotels and restaurants either. The SintBernadettekerk in Maliskamp is now a supermarket.

Publisher De Tijdstroom has its offices in the former Janskerk in Utrecht. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, try an indoor skatepark in a former church in Haarlem or try the indoor trampoline park Planet Jump in The Hague. You can buy religious books (and all other kinds) at the Bookstore Dominicanen in Maastricht. Lots of creative solutions for the 2,000 something former churches in the country. «

About the author Molly Quell is a writer and journalist living in the Netherlands.

She is a contributing editor at DutchNews.nl, where you can find her analysing Dutch politics and writing about beer and animals (together, if possible). @mollyquell

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 27

Education | Partner Feature

How will the new location be structured?

Expanding the HSV International Department was initiated by the City of The Hague as part of the Dutch Government’s expansion of (subsidised) International Education in the Netherlands.

The building is located on Van Heutszstraat 12, The Hague, and will be known as the VHS location.

Helen Claus

Judith Preston

International Primary Education HSV’s new location provides a unique opportunity for families looking for a number of educational solutions under one roof.

www.threelittleships.nl www.lighthousese.nl www.hsvid.nl

28 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Finding the right school for expat families in The Hague is not always easy, especially for parents of children with both special and mainstream ­educational needs. That is, until now. From August 2018, the HSV Primary School Foundation (Stichting Haagsche Schoolvereeniging) will be opening its doors to a new location in the Bezuidenhout neighbourhood, offering international preschool and ­primary school education for both children with and without additional needs.

For the HSV International Primary School, the new location means increasing intake that will help reduce the significant waiting lists, especially for the younger year groups. The HSV International Primary School currently houses three locations around the centre of The Hague, making VHS its fourth. Another bonus to this particular location is that the school will offer a foundation class. As Head of School Judith Preston explains, “Our foundation class will cater for the very young children who may otherwise have to wait almost a year before they can start school.”

For the Three Little Ships International Preschool and Lighthouse Special Education, the move to the new location means enriched inclusion. Interim Director Helen Claus says: “The relocation of the Lighthouse and Three Little Ships Preschool classes is a very exciting development in the history of the school. The classes will be situated within the same building as the HSV International Primary School, enabling children with educational needs to learn alongside typically developing children. This inclusive environment will give opportunities for all ch­ildren to learn about our diverse world and develop tolerance and understanding. It will also give children with educational needs opportunities to learn from their peers in a natural way.” « How to Apply:

• The Three Little Ships International Preschool (for children with and without special needs): www.threelittleships.nl Lighthouse Special Education: www.lighthousese.nl HSV International Primary School (foundation to year 6): www.hsvid.nl

• •

Review

Letter writing the expat way

health, the empty nest syndrome, and w­orries about how they will adjust to a more sedentary life once the exciting expat life is over.

In the second part of the book, experts share their advice concerning the major topics raised in Jo and Terry Anne’s emails.

Monday Morning Emails is more than the exchange

• Becky Grappo provides food for thought regarding

of emails between two friends l­iving the expat life a

family cohesion and dealing with challenging ­living conditions.

Ian Moody addresses education issues and strategies promoting family cohesion.

Amanda Graham emphasises the health aspect, giving tips to keep calm during intense phases of change and transition.

Lesley Lewis outlines therapeutic approaches helping expats to deal with more profound problems.

Colleen Reichrath-Smith covers the topic of a place-independent career.

Ellen Mahoney addresses Identity Identification for Adolescents and Young Adults (ATCK).

Nell Smith gives insights into considerations when internationals repatriate.

Ruth van Reken focuses on the third phase of international life, when moving to multiple countries has an end, revealing how one can prepare to have a smooth transition back “home.”

continent apart from each other. Jo Parfitt, editor and author, and Terry Anne Wilson, a traveler, offer a “window into their journeys of transition.”

(Marilyn Gardner)

• • • •

BY UTE LIMACHER-RIEBOLD

Both authors are experienced expats who have been on the international journey since their mid-twenties, have lived in 12 countries and raised five sons in total. In their emails, they share their worries about their adult sons, aging parents, and the imminent end of their nomad life in a refreshing and honest manner. They openly talk about incisive childhood experiences, identity, rootlessness, Third Culture Kids, faith, anxiety, and depression. They di­scuss their fa­milies’

• • •

This book combines first-hand experience and expert advice in a new way. It is targeted for everyone who has embarked on the international journey as an adult, raised children abroad, has aging parents and is considering repatriation. «

About the author Publisher: Summertime Publishing (February 13, 2018) Pages: 332 Paperback and Kindle www.mondaymorningemails.com

Ute Limacher-Riebold is an expat since birth. She is a language consultant and trainer, an expert in bilingualism and international life coach. She offers courses in a range of languages on international life and parenting Third Culture Kids. You can find her at Ute’s International Lounge www.utesinternationallounge.com

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 29

serving the i n t e r n at i o n a l

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATALIYA VOLOSOVYCH, FOTODELRAY

community

Welcome to the Netherlands Have a question about living here?

Not sure where to find the answer?

Get in touch. We can help you.

0900 2 222 377 (€0.20 ct/min) helpdesk@access-nl.org

ACCESS-Netherlands

www.access-nl.org You can also visit us in Amsterdam, Leiden, Utrecht and The Hague.

Check our website for opening hours.

Food

Secrets from the castle’s kitchen Egyptian

Bass

s • 1 bas filet angler fish g 0 0 2 • he crème fraîc • 500 g whites • 2 egg per, to taste pep • Salt, onions • 3 kg live oil lespoons o • 2 tab ine dry white w • 1 litre h stock fis • 1 litre gs emary spri • 2 ros s in yoghurt • 2 pla n of a lemo • juice

PHOTO: KASTEEL DE HAAR UTRECHT

The 2014-2015 exhibition “Culinary Secrets of De Haar” (a magnificent castle near Utrecht) revealed delectable recipes, a kitchen laden with copper pots weighing up to 25 kilos, and photos of cooks and various luminaries labouring and dining in this “château.”

BY THE EDITORIAL TEAM

Chef Pierre Amory was the chef of choice for the family van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar. During one month a year for 40 years, he cooked for the baron and his family.

One of Amory’s secrets was partially revealed in a simple “recipe” card, proclaimed to be the baron’s preferred recipe. The big secret though was that there is no recipe – only the ingredients.

We challenge our readers to prepare this recipe, send us photos and comments, and the best contributions will go onto the ACCESS Facebook page. « ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 31

Arts & Entertainment

A journey through the medieval times When we talk about the medieval times or the Middle Ages, we often imagine them as gloomy and melancholic. Darkness and death prevailed among the masses, men battled and died in wars, and women and children starved.

BY ANUJA TIPNIS-RANDIVE

However, the Museon in The Hague takes a refreshing look at this period. With the exhibition “Knights and Castles,” Museon puts the Middle Ages in a whole new perspective.

What’s ‘Knights and Castles’ about?

An interactive and informative exhibition brings to visitors the life story of seven unique and interesting characters who played a ­pivotal role and defined life and culture during the Middle Ages.

PHOTOS: MUSEON RIDDERS & KASTELEN

32 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Here’s a brief description of who those seven p­eople were: • Knight (Ridder): The knight, one of the important and indispensable persons, was taught to ride a horse and fight in battles at the young age of 10 and officially became a knight at the age of 18.

• Monk (Monnik): The monk’s primary responsibility was to pray and preach good values. There were monasteries where the monks used to pray, write, eat, and sleep in separate dedicated rooms.

• Craftsman (Ambachtsman): The craftsman was mainly responsible for the construction of cathedrals using different types of stones.

• Minstrel (Minstreel): The minstrel or musician used to travel from castle to castle, playing his instrument, telling stories, and singing songs at parties and festivals so people could dance.

• Peasant or Farmer (Boer): The peasant provided crops, vegetables, and other sources of food to the people, working hard day and night at his farm with his family.

• Lady (Jonkvrouw): The lady, even in the olden days, was considered the prominent member of the household whose job was to take care of her home, husband, and children.

• Tradeswoman (Koopvrouw): The tradeswoman did something which, in those days, many women were prevented from doing – handle trade and business, ­pay bills, and manage finances.

Connecting with the people

While we witness and read the enchanting stories of these seven people and their lives in medieval times, the exhibition takes us back in time to get a closer picture of them through various ancient artifacts used during the era.

The exhibition has preserved ancient property: the knight’s armor and swords; the instruments used by the musicians; the vessels used by the far­ mers to prepare food; some ancient coins used in trade; medicinal plants used by the monks to cure diseases; books used for writing; magnificent paintings made by artists.

tunity to gain knowledge about the Middle Ages in an interesting way. This is a fabulous method of engaging children to explore and learn.

Attracting internationals and children

The Middle Ages were actually a time of great ­i­­nv­entions and discoveries, with major impacts on science, culture, Christian values, administrative organisation and the boundaries of today’s Europe.

Although this period is long ago, its remains and inventions still matter to our daily existence.

What makes the exhibition of special interest to internationals is that it takes visitors back to many centuries ago. It leaves them with a vast scope of exploration and knowledge, not only about the ­people living, but also about the culture, ways of s­urvival and relationships among people which is relatable to our lives today.

For visiting Museon Stadhouderslaan 37 2517 HV, Den Haag Phone: +31 70 338 1338 E-mail: info@museon.nl www.museon.nl/en/exhibitions/knights-and-castles Opening hours until 2 September 2018 Tuesday – Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm

For children and individuals keen on exploring European history, this exhibition will never leave you disappointed! “‘Knights and Castles’ is highly appreciated by the public as an exhibition where surprising info­ rmation about the Middle Ages is given in an appealing way. This atmospheric exhibition gives a new perspective on a period that is often incorrectly portrayed as a dark time with few innovations,” says Rob de Winter, Communication Manager at Museon. “The creativity and ingenuity of man in this time is central. Ideal to visit with fa­mily and friends,” he adds. «

An interactive experience

What makes the exhibition tour most attractive is how it is innovative and interactive. Various computer screens allow visitors to play quizzes and games at every step of the exhibition, giving them an oppor-

About the author Anuja Tipnis-Randive is a freelance writer and blogger. You can read her writings wordsandimaginations.wordpress.com or follow her on Instagram at @anujatipnis112.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 33

educating for the future UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AGED 3 - 18 YEARS

True Colors childcare DAYCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL & HOLIDAY CARE

American School of The Hague nurtures and inspires character, commitment, creativity, and learning.

in Rijswijk and Delft

www.truecolorsdelft.eu

A cosy, friendly, safe environment where children can grow and play.

Our staff is experienced in helping and supporting parents and children of different nationalities. www.truecolorschildcare.eu

More information?

Please contact Mrs. Regina Stork tel: 06-29409644 or e-mail rstork@truecolorschildcare.eu www.ash.nl / admissions@ash.nl

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“Learning is the Heart of The International School of The Hague” E: ish.admissions@ishthehague.nl

I: www.ishthehague.nl

T +31(0)70 328 1450

Education

Teachers’ stories: the international school experience Four teachers who have taught at an international school in the Netherlands share their experiences with ACCESS. Their diverse backgrounds, their passion and commitment help prepare students—both Dutch and international—for f­urther studies at universities around the world.

Kenneth Muller, American International School of Rotterdam

Kenneth Muller started his 25-year teaching career in New Jersey in the US. In his 20s, he decided it was time for a change. “I wanted to stay in teaching but wanted to do the inter­national bit,” says Muller.

The Antwerp International School was his first international school. Since then, his teaching jobs have taken him around the world. “I worked at the American School of Casablanca and Copenhagen International, and I also worked at the Caribbean School in Puerto Rico,” he says.

BY OLIVIA VAN DEN BROEK-NERI

An international school environment is one of the

PHOTOS BY SIERHUIS FOTOGRAFIE

most culturally integrated, challenging, and rewarding places to work and study.

Various backgrounds, ethnicities, languages, and perspectives among students, teachers, staff and parents make for a rich and dynamic learning atmosphere.

Muller admits that before his teaching jobs, he knew nothing about countries like Lebanon or Norway. That changed during his time in Antwerp. “…The families are very much involved in the schools, and you get lots of invitations to go to the country with the kids,” he says. “I was invited to Lebanon for the wedding of a student!”

Muller currently teaches at the American International School of Rotterdam (AISR).

He says, “Here in Rotterdam, the parents are more hands-off. The kids are given a much greater degree of independence. The parents are there to support you but let their kids have their own experience.” » ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 35

Education | Teachers’ stories

“ O ne of the great things about international teaching is that when you are ready to move on, there is always an adventure waiting!”

Although happy with his position, Muller admits that there are downsides to teaching abroad: “I did have bouts of homesickness in the beginning,” he says. To help ensure a positive experience for those considering teaching abroad, Muller recommends doing plenty of research before accepting a position.

Jess Hills, Haagsche Schoolvereeniging

Considering teaching?

Advice to those who want to go into teaching “Be yourself, lead by the example you want to set and believe in setting and care for the people around you, mainly your students.” – Ohad “Working with students also teaches one humility and compassion, two things that we sometimes lose sight of as adults.” – Dr. Masoni More about education in the Netherlands Visit access-nl.org/ education-netherlands

Jess Hills moved to the Netherlands from her native Canada in 1999. Being from outside the European Union made it more difficult for her to remain in the Netherlands, but eventually she obtained an Irish passport, allowing her to work here.

In Canada, she taught in the public school system, where she would have 30 to 35 students in one class.

Now she sees the benefits to having smaller class sizes and a bigger budget here in the Netherlands.

But there are more benefits: for example, teachers in the Netherlands have the ability to take free days.

“Everyone is informed and it works quite well,” she says. However, “In Vancouver teachers are paid much more,” she says. “They have very strong unions.” The negative is that there are a large n­umber of burnouts amongst teachers there.

“Right now teaching is ideal for me!” she says. “I see myself retiring in this position.”

Alison Stark, International School Breda

Originally from Cornwall, UK, Alison Stark worked in the operations departments of multinational co­mpanies upon graduating. “When I no longer enjoyed this, I returned to what I had always wanted to be: a teacher,” she says. “I went back to university and retrained, and haven't had a single regret!”

36 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Stark spent nine years teaching English in a Dutch bilingual school and is now in her second year tea­ ching at the International School Breda. “The ISB is an incredibly pleasant place to be,” she says.

“The students come from many different backgrounds, and are all friendly, respectful, and d­etermined to succeed. This forms the perfect basis for teachers and students to work together to reach our full potential.”

Ohad, St. Louis School, Milan, Italy

Ohad, who grew up in the US and Israel, started his teaching career after graduating from The Royal Academy of Art in The Hague in 2009. “I was looking for additional sources of income and started doing some substitute teaching at The American School of The Hague in 2011-2013,” he says.

Since completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) from Nottingham University, Ohad has worked as a teacher. He currently leads a department of four Theory of Knowledge teachers, and teaches International Baccalaureate courses and a Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education course at the St. Louis School in Milan, Italy. Before that, he worked at the Almere International School.

“The student body and staff attitude [at AIS] was very down to earth and straightforward in the wonderful way Dutch mentality can be,” says Ohad. “Being in a bit more noisy environment now in Milan I really miss those morning walks to school from Almere Poort train station, even when it was pouring rain!”

The St. Louis School has had the title of “Highest scoring International Baccalaureate Average school in continental Europe” for the last three years with an average score of 37 out of 45 points. “Clearly such an achievement comes with a lot of hard work and also a set of expectations,” says Ohad. “Being results-driven is not necessarily a negative thing but in the Dutch international schools I worked at, I was lucky to see student growth and development that is focused on a more holistic approach, which I cherish.”

Ohad will return to the Netherlands this year to begin a Research Masters in Cultural Analysis at The University of Amsterdam. “My wife and I have… friends and colleagues and a wide network of connections that overall makes us feel really at home there,” he says.

Dr. Bradford A. Masoni, Chinese International School, Hong Kong

Dr. Bradford A. Masoni’s teaching career began while he was a graduate student in the mid 1990s.

The City University of New York hired students as teachers at one or more of its satellite or community colleges. At 21 years old, Dr. Masoni found himself teaching courses that he had designed himself to students his own age. “As time went on, I realised that I was actually getting more pleasure from the teaching than I was from my academic work,” he says.

In 2003, with the help of an advisor, Dr. Masoni found a position in an international school in Rome.

He has taught in international schools every year since.

Dr. Masoni taught at the American International School of Rotterdam from 2012 to 2016. “AISR is a very unique place, full of extremely dedicated faculty and administration,” he says. “Its small size means that everyone wears multiple hats, but it is one of the most supportive, kind, right-thinking places I have ever worked.”

He has been teaching at the Chinese International School in Hong Kong since August 2017. Although he and his wife love living in Hong Kong, the amount of time they will remain is unknown. “One of the great things about international teaching is that when you are ready to move on, there is always an adventure waiting!” says Dr. Masoni. «

About Author Olivia van den Broek-Neri is a native of California and is currently Project Coordinator for Communications & Events at Holland Expat Center South in Eindhoven.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 37

Education | Partner Feature

Friendships hold strong Traditions at the German International School The Hague accompany children and pupils throughout the school year. At the end of the academic year, a school-wide assembly brings the student body together one more time before heading off for the summer holidays.

It is a time to look back and review the months that have passed, a time to highlight students’ achievements and a time to take leave from those moving away from The Hague.

Assembled as one

The gathering of students and teachers pays tribute to the role each and every student plays in the school community. As the assembly closes, parting students are individually called up to receive a rose. It is a moment that cherishes the thriving friendships that have developed and will continue even after distance has come in the way.

070 354 9494 www.disdh.nl

The close-knit school community holds together well after students and their families have left the Netherlands. Through common interests, commitment and activities at school, friendships among p­arents are as strong as they are among students.

DISDH provides a “home away from home” for all its families.

Alumni as well

Past students and their families are always welcome.

When on holiday from their new schools, students come back to see their friends and teachers voluntar-

38 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

ily joining in on classes at DISDH. It is a pleasure to see familiar faces at the numerous events throughout the year. The school’s Study and Career Fair invites DISDH graduates to return to give tips and words of advice. At sporting events, former st­udents come back to cheer on their old friends. The ties to the school are most vividly displayed at the graduation ceremony at which each year, graduates and past st­udents come to honour their friends and join together as if they had never parted.

Saying “goodbye” at DISDH is really just saying “see you later”! The school wishes all its families lovely school holidays and new beginnings to those leaving, wherever in the world that may be. The doors remain open and the school looks forward to welcoming back those who have parted whenever their paths may cross through The Hague again. «

The gathering of students and teachers pays tribute to the role each and every student plays in the school community.

ACCESS News

ACCESS, part of a bigger picture For 32 years, ACCESS has been at the forefront of easing the transition of expatriates to the Netherlands. Providing volunteering opportunities as a way of allowing people to find a community of peers; being available to answer the myriad of questions people have as they arrive and settle in the Netherlands; offering an on-call Counselling Network for when the ”going gets tough” and simply sharing experiences.

PHOTO: FIGT-CONFERENCE-2018

While this has always been done on behalf of and for internationals relocating to the Netherlands, we know that within this broad community, there are many for whom this may be one of many relocations.

We are encouraged by the feedback we receive that suggests what people, in particular our volunteers, have learnt with us can help them as they move on to new locations.

Global ‘sister’

We know we are part of something “global.” That who we are, and who we serve, are largely people on the move. For this reason, ACCESS has in the last few years been drawn to the mission of a sister organisation: Families in Global Transition (FIGT). Like us, FIGT is also a volunteer-run organisation. Like us, they strive to support individuals, families, crossing borders and cultures. What we offer locally, they offer globally through their membership. Many have been introduced to FIGT during their annual conference, which for the last three years has taken place in the Netherlands (2016 in Amsterdam, 2017 and 2018 in The Hague). Now many of the resources they offer can be easily found on their website www.figt.org.

For anyone preparing for a move to a new location, in search of support or information related to a new country, or the challenges of crossing cultures and borders, their member directory will offer some s­olutions. As will their bookstore, where books on a myriad of subjects related to global living can be found. Looking to build a broader community of peers? Becoming a member is also an option.

Congratulations

In this their 20th year, ACCESS salutes FIGT for all it has accomplished and the mission it continues to carry forth. We are happy to be a local partner of this global journey. «

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 39

Health & Wellbeing

Keeping the ro

BY DEBORAH VALENTINE

Anyone who has lived in a community of expatriate couples has witnessed it: the couples who thrive and those who do not in their new location and new lives.

There is no “magic formula” for why this is the case, and each couple is as unique as the individuals involved in the relationship. So how can one find the missing key to ensuring the relationship is not undermined or overly tested by the challenges of taking it to a new setting?

ACCESS CSN The ACCESS Counselling Services Network (CSN) supports the mental health requirements of the international community in the Netherlands. One member, Gary Fishbein, has also written on this topic: see ‘Expat couples: baggage handling’ in the Autumn 2011 issue of the ACCESS Magazine. The CSN on-call service can be reached, in confidence, via ­on-call.access-nl.org.

40 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

According to Angelika Matthias, an EFT (Emotional Focussed Therapy) practitioner, it is about finding a way of communicating which is respectful, loving and allows each individual in the relationship to be “heard.” On the surface, this seems fairly obvious, clear, and even “easy,” yet Angelika points out “accessing each other’s emotional language is in fact much like learning a new language.” It requires a reprogramming of the brain to find words which allow each to express the emotion which is triggered by a certain situation, versus focussing on the actual “thing” that may have happened.

mance alive What lies beneath the surface

50 years’ experience

Much like the cultural iceberg model, which shows that much of what we need to understand about a culture lies unseen, beneath the surface the bonds of a couples’ relationship are also hidden. Buried inside emotions, which in a familiar environment are comforted and supported by social networks, familiar settings and norms and values are known and understood. When one relocates though, much of those comfort settings are challenged, and the time it takes to build a new social network can stress a relationship and trigger different emotions. Each individual in the romantic relationship will go through their own learning and discovery process.

And this may or may not be matched, nor in sync with one another. Whether a couple is mono-cultural or bi-cultural, the change in their surroundings is what they share, though how they deal with the change may differ s­ignificantly. Supportive networks will take time to build. Social codes, values, norms will be new. Navigating the changes together can be strained. Understanding the emotional impact of the change on oneself is one thing; finding a way to understand and communicate about how it is affecting one another is the challenge.

EFT “is a structured approach to couples therapy” that has been researched and proven highly effective in assisting couples to reconnect and improve their ability to communicate lovingly and respectfully.

Started in Canada, EFT has been enthusiastically received in the Netherlands. In fact, Angelika pointed out that within Europe, the Netherlands has embraced the approach the most. Asked why she believed this to be the case, Angelika suggested it was perhaps related to three aspects.

The fact that by nature the Dutch are more Did you k experiential; there was already openness now..

EFT T .­ herap is to systemic work upon which EFT is ts wo wide rldcan b e foun d on based; and, since the Dutch are comfortwww.i ceeft.c om able following English-language training, it was easy to bring the training s­essions to the Netherlands.

Angelika is convinced that using EFT helps couples to find a way to communicate how one is affected by or feeling about the changes, which is key to ensuring the romantic relationship can thrive despite the changes. “It is not about blaming one another, but about understanding what is happening inside, em­otionally, and appreciating the external changes are the triggers. When a couple has a strong and safe bond, they can overcome the challenges of new environments, for instance. The more they fight, or disagree the less confident they are in the bond.”

Speaking from the heart

EFT therapists are not “problem solvers” according to Angelika: “our goal, and intention, is to help ­couples understand the dynamics of their relationship, and find the most supportive way of communicating their emotions such that they can rely upon one another, and sustain the romantic re­lationship, while moving to, or living in a country new to them.” «

About the expert Angelika Matthias is a Psychological Counsellor and certified EFT Therapist, who offers counselling and psychotherapy for individuals and couples in German and English. She has expat experience and practises from The Hague. You can find her at www.balanceforyourlife.nl.

ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 41

The Expat Centre Leiden offers services, information and provides a network for internationals in the Leiden region.

Our website contains useful information on daily life issues like getting around, how to find a house or a job and things to do.

THE EXPAT’S GUIDE TO THE SOUTH NETHERLANDS EINDHOVEN • MAASTRICHT • TILBURG

It also contains a list of Expat Centre Leiden’s current partners.

ANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT US TODAY!

expatcentreleiden.nl ExpatCentreLeiden

@ExpatLeiden

Expat Centre Leiden

r +31 (0)40 238 6777

hollandexpatcenter.com

Dutch Lifestyle

At home in a hofje

ILLUSTRATION: CURLY SKETCHES -AAFKE MERTENS

In today’s digital, compartmentalised life, loneliness breeds in flats where neighbours know not each other’s names. Seeking old solutions to a modern problem, the writer slinks into a hofje to witness a 350-year-old “village in a city.”

BY JOSHUA JAMES PARFITT

There’s something secretive about hofjes. They reveal themselves to the initiated, like a Masonic handshake. At least that’s how the Hofje van Nieuwkoop feels. I have lived in The Hague for seven years but never noticed this enclave shaded in plain sight on the Prinsegracht.

Part stately home, part workhouse, street-long brick walls enclose the rectangular compound on all four sides, culminating in the triumphant regen­ tenhuis (regent’s house). Outside the hofje, the HMC

Westeinde—a concrete monolith—broods over the compound like a jealous lover; inside, four walls of terraced houses with rosy-cheeked shutters gaze lovingly upon an acre of oasis. One hears only a d­unnock crooning in the chestnut tree.

I arrive at my inside source’s house, finding the door open and a half-drank cup of tea on the table in the sunshine. The next house along also has its door open, keys in the lock. No sign of anyone, or any concern. » ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 43

Dutch Lifestyle | At home in a hofje

I think I understand her fascination: this place holds the memory of 350 years of Dutch history “She’s just inside, she’ll be out soon,” calls a lounging neighbour. Sure enough, as I take a seat in the April sun, out comes my interviewee—longtime ACCESS volunteer Genoveva Geppaart.

I make my routine apologies, but Genoveva puts up a gentle hand. “I have all the time you need,” she reassures. I glance at fellow residents relaxing around the courtyard. A wood pigeon shakes some summer snowflakes from the blooming cherry tree.

I rest into the atmosphere.

Genoveva has rested here for 29 years.

“I like old houses,” says Genoveva. “They are not predictable like modern houses...they have surprises.”

Within a swift removal of a straw hat, she leads me into the cozy front room crowned with a woodbeamed ceiling. “This is the kitchen,” she says, showing me an inconceivable space tucked beneath the steep staircase. “But it used to be a bedroom.

In other houses you can still see they have a cupboard under the stairs, and if you open the doors, you see a shelf—in Dutch we call it a bedstee. It’s traditional.

My grandparents grew up in them.”

As Genoveva takes me past the blocked-up hearth and through secret doors, I think I understand her fascination: this place holds the memory of 350 years of Dutch history—all in one 4x4 square-metre, threestoried huisje.

Akin to nunneries and monasteries, hofjes do not always have religious origins. At least, not functionally. The Hofje van Nieuwkoop was built in 1661 at the behest of Johan de Bruijn van Buijtenweck, 44 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

Lord of Nieuwkoop. Dying childless, his will stated his intention to build an almshouse for poor and needy widows—no matter what their denomination.

After subsequent constructions, the Hofje van Nieuwkoop boasts 62 huisjes. There is talk of it being the largest in the Netherlands. According to Genoveva, there used to be 700-odd hofjes in The Hague at the beginning of the 20th century.

Today, only 115 are left—but they are changing.

“At the beginning only women were allowed in [to the Hofje van Nieuwkoop], and the minimum age was 30,” says Genoveva. “When I came in 1989 I was too young—27—but they let me in. Now they allow men in as well, and we have a mix of all ages.”

Thanks to this mixture, residents refer to this place as ‘a village in a city’. Genoveva tells stories of borrowed kitchen utensils with hearty potato stews shared in return, and of well-worn neighbours keeping watch over one of the hofje’s first new-borns.

With a few couples in their twenties, Genoveva also expresses hope that the idea of hofje-culture is having a renaissance.

Alas, the time comes to say my goodbyes. I walk out past Dutch doors with top-half wide open and the sound of onions frying. I feel an impulse to rest my forearms on the door. Not for any reason in particular. Perhaps just to natter about the blessed weather, and to be met with a smile.

You can book a hofjeswandeling tour with Gilde Den Haag —they are twice weekly and in Dutch, unless booked in advance. On Monumentendag (8 & 9 September 2018) many hofjes, including the Hofje van Nieuwkoop, will throw open their doors to the public. «

About the author Joshua James Parfitt is a freelance journalist based in The Hague. Reach him at www.joshuaparfitt.com.

Humour

Dictionary of Dutchness Courtesy of DutchNews.nl

For fun, and to help internationals relieve their frustrations over

CARTOON ©BOB POWERS

Dutch acronyms and puzzling terms…

NAP (cartoon)

BN’er

Achterhoek

NAP stands for Normaal Amsterdams Peil or the normal water level in Amsterdam, which is slightly lower than sea level. NAP is used as a base to measure how high or low water levels are. So when the Rhine River is high, it is described as a certain number of metres ‘above NAP’. The lowest point in the Netherlands, in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, is 6.76 metres below NAP. Scary.

BN’er stands for Bekende Nederlander, or famous Dutch person. It is the title given to a host of soap stars, entertainers, and other personalities who fill the gossip columns and turn out in droves at film premieres.

Top-ranked BN’ers include football wife Estelle Gullit, reality soap star Barbie, a­ll-round entertainer Linda de Mol and TV show host Paul de Leeuw. The quickest way to become a minor BN’er is to date a former soap opera star.

The Achterhoek (literally, back corner) is the name given to the far eastern part of the province of Gelderland which stretches into Germany. It lies between the IJssel and Oude IJssel Rivers and is predominantly rural with lots of farms and forested areas.

The towns of Doesburg and Zutphen are old Hanseatic cities with well-preserved centres. As far as Amster­dammers are concerned, people from the Achterhoek are stereotypical country bumpkins.

ACCESS | SPRING 2018 | 45

ACCESS Partners & Trainers

Thank you for helping ACCESS! Relocating

Amity International School Amsterdam

Expat Events

ABN AMRO

Big Ben Kids

Expatica

ANL immigration lawyers

British School in the Netherlands

Expatriate Archive Centre

Expat Management Group

BSN Language Centre

Here in Holland

FVB De Boer

Direct Dutch Institute

IamExpat

GMW Advocaten (Legal Expat Desk)

Flowently

I am not a Tourist

J.C.Suurmond & zn. Tax Consultants

German Int’l School of The Hague

InTouch Rotterdam

Tulip Expat Services

Holiday Sitters

M-space

HSV (Haagsche Schoolvereeniging)

The World In Your Classroom

Housing

International School of The Hague

TheHagueOnline

Expat Mortgages

Kickstart School

Xpat Media (Xpat Journal)

MVA Certified Expat Brokers

Kinderopvang 2SAMEN

My Home Relocator

Rotterdam Int'l Secondary School (RISS)

Trainers

True Colors Childcare

Alexandra Vos

Living

Zein Childcare

Caitriona Rush

American Book Centre (ABC)

Zo Kinderopvang

Chitra Natarajan

GMW Advocaten (Legal Expat Desk)

Jac Rongen

In-Lease

Patron

Jacinta Noonan

STET The English Theatre

TU Delft

Janet Rodenburg Janneke Hellendoorn

Healthcare

Government

Lee Tolman

Bloom, House of Health

City of Delft

Lelia Spada

International Health Centre

City of Leidschendam-Voorburg

Lisa Hall

Loonzorg B.V

City of Rijswijk

Marie Dewulf

De Boezemvriend

City of The Hague

Marie-Christine Belemsigri Dezaire

Expat Centre Leiden

Megan Alter

Dual Career Support

Expat Center Utrecht

O'ona Souissi

AWC (American Woman’s Club)

Holland Expat Center South

Petra Fisher

CIYS (Career in your Suitcase)

IN Amsterdam

Ria Wiertz Teresa Moynihan

Connecting Women Volunteer The Hague

Community

Truus Gale

Women’s Business Initiative Int'l

Amsterdam Mamas

Ute Limacher-Riebold

Broadcast Amsterdam Learning & Education

Check-NL

American Int'l School of Rotterdam

Dutch News

American School of The Hague

DutchBuzZ

46 | ACCESS | SUMMER 2018

To find out how to support the work we do, contact our Public Relations Department on prd@access-nl.org

New in Wassenaar: Zo International Childcare Sign

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Zo International Childcare provides a structured educational curriculum, two warm meals a day, English speaking teachers and an extensive activities programme.

Activities:

Different languages, music lessons and lots of sports.

We collect children from several schools in Wassenaar and The Hague and surrounding areas (for example, the ISH and the American school).

Zo International Childcare • Van Hallekensstraat 28A • 2242 VD Wassenaar • t +31(0)70 345 85 63 www.zointernationalchildcare.nl • info@zochildcare.nl

Baby group • Toddlers • Pre-school • Pre-kindergarten • After school club Zo-int_ Adv_Access-groen_def_23-05-2018_alt1.indd 1

23-05-18 12:33 23 mei 2018

How to buy a house in the Netherlands..

Save time and trouble.

Buying a house can be a smart move for expats.

Interested in knowing more about tax benefits, mortgage types and monthly costs? We’ll be happy to help. Read more on abnamro.nl/house and schedule a free orientation meeting with one of our mortgage advisers.

At our International Client Desk we can help you in English.

Or 25 other languages. So you feel at home in the Netherlands.

Contact us any time. We’re here for you 24/7.