The Netherlands Country Guide

YOUR COUNTRY GUIDE

NETHERLANDS The Hague

FACTS, FIGURES & A GENERAL OVERVIEW GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE? Traveling to a new country can be absolutely thrilling, but it can also leave you feeling excited, nervous, and probably full of uncertainty. We totally get it.

At the Global Autism Project, we approach world travel with curiosity and respect. We work to ensure you have all the tools you need to explore with these values, which is why we've created comprehensive country guides to prepare you for SkillCorps® journey overseas! This country guide will give you an overview of the Netherlands including currency, politics, maps and key phrases!

Of course, we encourage you to do your own research as well, but use our country guide as a starting point!

As a new member of the SkillCorps team you will be invited to join an app that contains pertinent information about your trip!

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EXPECTATIONS AT A GLANCE Capital City Amsterdam Population 17,084,719 Major Religions Roman Catholic 23.7%, Protestant 15.5% (includes Dutch Reformed 6.5%, Protestant Church of The Netherlands 5.7%, Calvinist 3.3%), Islam 4.9%, other 5.7% (includes Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish), none 50.1% (2015 est.)

Official Language (s) Dutch, English

The Netherlands is known for its unpredictable weather. Rainfall is fairly common throughout the year with a dry period from April to September. Summers (average 66 F) in the Netherlands run from June to August and this is generally the most popular season for tourists. Cold winter (average 35 F) weather tends to run from November to March and brings with it snow and fog. The weather is generally warm during the fall and spring. This is also considered one of the most beautiful times of the year since daffodils and tulips are in full bloom.

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WHAT'S THE BIG PICTURE? Political/ social climate Netherlands is regarded as a safe place for American tourists and business travelers.The country has a relatively homogeneous population, progressive culture, and a reputation for openness and tolerance.

How will we get around?

You can rent a bike for only a few dollars a day which is the cheapest form of transportation. However, Dutch cities are also very small and easily walkable. We advise that you take public transportation in Amsterdam and stick with the travel arrangements made by your group.

Exciting Events January

New Year's Day/ Nieuwjaarsdag

March

Good Friday / Goode Vrijdag

April

Easter Sunday / Eerste Paasdag

April

Easter Monday / Tweede Paasdag

April

Kings Day/ Koningsday

May

National Rememberance Day

May

Liberation Day (holiday every 5 years)

May

Ascension Day/ Hemelvaartsdag

May

Whit (Pentecost) Sunday

May

Whit (Pentecost) Monday

December

Sinterkiaas

December

Christmas Day Eerste Kerstdag

December

Boxing Day/Tweede Kerstdag

December

New Year's Eve / Oudejaarsavond

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GET READY! It's so exciting, right?! So much to prepare for, so much to share... You're ready today! Hold on to that enthusiasm, that's exactly why you made the team!

DON'T WORRY! We're not going to send you into the field with nothing. To ensure we're sharing the most up-to-date information, we will post a live clinical video in the app at least 3 weeks before you travel. The video will discuss training objectives, strategies, and expected priorities for your time in the center. Additionally, at orientation you'll review the site's clinical folder and learn all about our training model!

GET YOUR VISA! If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you do NOT need a visa to travel to The Netherlands.

Visa processing information can be found in the SkillCorps App.

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A TYPICAL DAY MORNINGS We spend our mornings at the hotel having breakfast as a team and planning for the day. We will discuss the wrap-up from the night before, and get excited for our new day!

WORK TIME Work time is a time to be present and energized! We bring professionalism and enthusiasm to the center each day, and will provide training in the form of role-play, workshops, reenactments, and even games.

EVENINGS Each evening will vary, but we typically make a team decision to either relax, call home and connect for a bit, or explore the city. We will also spend time each evening debriefing and working on training for the next day, as well as an inspirational wrap-up.

DOWN TIME Down time is up to the team! We always stick together, but we try to make time for team activities. From walks on the beach to city exploration, we try to keep you well rested, yet entertained!

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BUDGETING & PLANNING

NATIONAL CURRENCY | EURO Accessing Cash Your credit and debit cards will work on most ATMs in the Netherlands, particularly VISA or MasterCard. Some businesses in the Netherlands may not accept credit cards or will add a surcharge.

Daily Expenses Expenses will vary depending on individual and situational needs, but below is a sample budget for a typical working day at the partner site. We will leave budgeting for souvenirs and gifts up to your discretion.

Small meal:

14 Euro

Bottle of water:

1.86 Euro

Taxi 1 mile:

3.22-4.02 Euro

Taxi 1 hour Waiting:

30.00 Euro

GOOGLE FOR THE EXCHANGE RATE, IT CHANGES DAILY! GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT

YOUR LOGISTICS OVERVIEW ACCOMMODATIONS You will be staying at a local apartment in The Hague for the majority of your stay. The apartment will be near the center, depending on the weather you may get to bike to work some days! You will likely share a room with a teammate.

THE CENTER Stichting Reach is in a beautiful part of The Hague. It is made up of small rooms and spaces for one-on-one instruction.

Your work day at the center will typically go from 8:30am until 4:30pm, though the schedule is subject to change.

TRANSPORTATION Transportation will vary each day in The Hague, but you'll have options! Our partners will organize to help rent bicycles, arrange public transportation, or request Ubers.

The city is fun to explore and easy to navigate, so public transportation is encouraged!

MEALS You will have at least one meal provided each day, either breakfast or lunch, but dinner will be on your own! Past teams have eaten together at the local restaurants, ordered in, or shopped at a nearby markets.

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HOW WILL I COMMUNICATE?

Will I be able to use my cell phone?

Yes, but make sure that your phone is compatible/covered by an international plan. If it isn't, you may be charged high roaming and usage fees by your domestic service provider or may not be able to use your phone at all.

How do I avoid incurring high costs?

There are three main mobile phone operators in the Netherlands: Vodafone (British owned), O2 (owned by PPF) and T-mobile (owned by German Deutsche Telekom). All of them offer prepaid options which are more affordable in comparison to carrying your native SIM. Internet access Internet connections are generally reliable in most urban and tourist areas. However, the bandwidth speed may not be as efficient as you are used to. Due to current lack of public funding by the EU, the internet infrastructure lags other developed nations.

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FRIENDLY REMINDERS: VACCINATIONS The Global Autism Project does NOT employ medical physicians, therefore we cannot advise your medical decisions. We do, however, recommend you visit the website of the Center for Disease Control and schedule an appointment with a travel physician.

FLIGHTS Please frequently check the SkillCorps app for updates regarding the timeline for booking flights! Typically, you should be booking your flights 9 weeks prior to travel. After you have submitted your travel form, you will be contacted by travel agents who will guide you through every step of the process!

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HOW SHOULD I DRESS? What do people wear in the Netherlands?

There are not many restrictions to clothing style in the Netherlands. While on the streets you are free to wear whatever you like (shorts, skirts, tops, etc.) However, certain places such as offices, nice hotels and restaurants do expect you to dress more business casual.

As a representative of the organization, we ask that you maintain a professional/respectful dress code while traveling in the Netherlands.

You can find a quiz in the SkillCorps app to help you with your packing list!

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MORE TO THINK ABOUT LGBTQ What is the legal status of the LGBTQ+ community in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands was one of the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex conduct, and was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001.

What are the sociocultural attitudes surrounding the LGBTQ and other social issues?

The Dutch are very up-to-date on all social topics.

Autism in Netherlands: Autism awareness is widespread in schools and youth-oriented services. The future still remains on the children and adults with autism. The center is continuing to spread awareness to end the stigma surrounding autism.

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WHEN YOU TRAVEL, REMEMBER THAT A FOREIGN COUNTRY IS NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE. IT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE ITS OWN PEOPLE COMFORTABLE. -CLIFTON FADIMAN

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MAPS & PHRASES

IMPORTANT PHRASES

Yes/No

Thank you

No Meat

Ja/ Nee

Dank Je

Geen Viees

Hello

Where is the

No Milk

Hallo

bathroom?

Geen Melk

Waar is het toilet?

Goodbye Vaarwel My name is...

No Wheat/ No Check, please

flour

Controleer

Geen tarwe/geen

alsjeblieft

bloem

Mijn naam is...

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TESTIMONIALS "This journey, this movement, this community... it's like nothing else out there!"

-Kyle

"This team is amazing! So much fun, so much laughter, so much joy in this center! I feel like they are my new best friends."

- Marina

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EXPLORE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT STICHTING REACH! Located in The Hague, a stunning part of The Netherlands, our partner center is working to serve the diverse population in the community.

Stichting REACH is a center providing 1:1 services for children with autism. They currently serve 8 students, Elementary to 12 years old. The center director is a mother of a child with autism and the clinical director is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The center provides services for families from all over the world!

Partners since: 2017 Current Focus: Data collection integrity/IOA; growing the center and by building outreach programs; parent training

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MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

RACHEL HARMON, BCBA Rachel is a BCBA from Los Angeles, California. She has also lived in San Diego, Tokyo, Paris, Oakland, and now Barcelona. Rachel first worked with children with autism as a piano teacher in 2008 and was eventually drawn to the field of ABA. While doing her internship in Music Therapy, Rachel hopes to someday fuse the two disciplines to offer services to individuals through a humanistic, behavioral, and improvisational approach.

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GET READY FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

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