5 minute read
Living in another country
When you go and live in another country there are many different things that you need to get acquainted to. The differences in culture, in habits. What is considered usual and what is not. Getting to know all these different things can be quite time consuming and sometimes costly. The traffic rules for example can be slightly different, which can result in a fine. Also, conducting business can be different. Some customs can be considered offensive like making a deal on buying a house and then having extra demands afterwards. In the Netherlands that is not common whereas in the south of Europe this is the way it is done.
When settling in a new house for example do you now invite the neighbors over or do you go and introduce yourself to them in the street? All these questions might be going through your head when you move into a new house and start to get acquainted to the new customs. You don’t want to make a bad first impression. In the Netherlands you do not arrive unannounced at a neighbor’s house, this is not appreciated. But obviously when you meet them in the street, by accident, you can always introduce yourself as the new tenant or owner. But like in any country some people are very welcoming and other people tend to be more private. Everyone needs to get accustomed to the new people on the block.
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At Tulip Expat Services we provide a relocation service which always also includes informing you about these small differences which can make settling in just that much easier. Give you a heads up on the differences depending on where you came from and the habits and customs here in the Netherlands. We have experience in living and working in and with many different cultures. We can give you the benefit of these experiences. Please have a look on our website to see which services we can help you with.
Eindhoven and surrounding areas Tulip Expats Services BV +31 6 53 14 70 86 marielle@tulipexpatsservices.com
Postal address: P.O. Box 82301, 2508 EH The Hague +31 70 220 81 56 tulipexpatsservices.com
Heritage language schools (also called “mother tongue schools”) provide the opportunity for multilingual children to follow lessons in a language they speak at home, but are not able to study at school. The Eindhoven region is fortunate to have this valuable form of education available in over twenty languages! The heritage language lessons are usually organized by non-profit initiatives and take place after school or in the weekend throughout the school year.
Why enroll your child in a heritage language program?
Following lessons in the home language is considered a basic right of every multilingual child. Parents want their children to be able to connect with other people who speak the same language, to learn to read and write in the home language, and to understand the traditions of the culture. It has been shown that a strong foundation in the home language leads to greater social and academic success overall for multilingual children.
Heritage Language Schools Eindhoven (HLSE) is a platform that ensures families can easily find information about the available programs. Check out the list at www.hollandexpatcenter. com/heritageschools to see if your child’s language is offered. For additional details, see www.hlseindhoven.com/heritage-schools-list. HLSE also regularly reports news about new school openings, the development of an international children’s book collection, and events about multilingualism for parents and teachers.
Keeping the Non-Dutch Speaking Residents Informed about the Coronavirus By Olivia van den Broek-Neri
Holland Expat Center South partnered with Brainport Development to developed a portal for the non-Dutch speaking residents of Brabant about the coronavirus outbreak in the Netherlands. It is a joint initiative of the Municipality of Eindhoven (Holland Expat Center South), Brainport Eindhoven, TU/e, Fontys and High Tech Campus Eindhoven, in collaboration with Expat Spouses Initiative and Eindhoven365. “The portal provides a perfect starting point for anyone who is looking for corona-related information,” says Mira Dreessen, Projectmanager, Brainport Development. She helped develop the portal together with her colleague Heather Donaldson (Project coordinator at Brainport Development) and Olivia van den Broek-Neri (Holland Expat Center South). “The goal is to get you started on where to find more information on several topics as well as regional initiatives,” says Mira.
It is also important to make sure that the community is aware of the portal. To ensure that the portal reaches as many non-Dutch speaking residents as possible, Expat Spouses Initiative created a PEP team to work on the portal: Dilan Sarac and Katarzyna Hejna. “We are working in a team where everyone has a different background,” says Katarzyna, “Thanks to this we can think in a broader perspective about the needs of internationals. Working on this portal I have discovered for myself how many amazing places there are to explore [in Brabant]!”
Although these times are difficult for internationals who are away from friends and family, Dilan Sarac points out something positive that has resulted: “The pandemic showed us how many we are,” she says. “We are not alone at all.”
Visit the portal at: www.hollandexpatcenter.com/corona-portal
Do you have a suggestion for something that should be added to the portal? Please Send an email to: info@hollandexpatcenter.com.
Tips from the Coronal Portal for Brabant Team “… I try to find a balance in being ambitious and dedicated at work, socially engaged with family and friends, as well as attending my own wellbeing with moments of relaxation.” Mira Dreessen, Projectmanager, Brainport Development
“These are stressful times, which is why I make it a point to unplug at different times throughout the day. I have found that swimming and reading have helped me, and recommend that everyone does one thing (or activity) a day to unwind. Check out the portal for some tips and tricks!” Olivia van den Broek-Neri, Project Coordinator Communications & Events, Holland Expat Center South
The Holland Expat Center South office is temporarily closed, but the HECS team is still available to answer your questions about settling into Brabant.
