Do Internationals Feel at Home in the Netherlands? - Here in Holland

What is the back story of internationals in the Netherlands?

Why are we here, are we happy, what do we love and what weirds us out?

The Here in Holland podcast joined the Hague Online Feel at Home Fair 2018 to take the pulse of the many internationals present. Here in Holland is now also available in Spotify

Listen to the podcast here:

There are always some common themes when you ask internationals about their experiences in the Netherlands.

Most find the Dutch very direct, blunt even and at times even downright rude. This certainly takes some getting used to and it is not for the faint hearted.

“People in Portugal are much more PC in every day conversation sometimes a sense a little harshness in exchanges here – I am not saying

it is really bad or anything but it certainly takes some getting used too.”

Others told tales of run-ins with estate agents and receiving unrequested advice.

And Dutch food is something that a lot of internationals also find difficult to adjust to – it’s safe to say not everyone is a fan.

“The less said about Dutch food the better, maybe the occasional croquet and stroopwafel but that’s about it. Nothing to write home about.”

And of course the weather:

“Well, let’s just say the weather’s not as great as California, but everything else is going okay.”

And cycling gets a big thumbs-up too as do the transport facilities. But for Rohan from India the ease of getting around is just too good.

“It’s too sorted, I mean too organized you can get a train and then a bus or a tram, it is so easy to get from A to B. In India it is chaos, I miss the chaos.”

International from Slovenia:

“I have been here for ten years I feel quite at home, not completely. This is because I still find it really difficult to integrate into society. It is a very individualistic society. It is very difficult to make Dutch friends so we end up living in our own expat society.”

Others echoed this sentiment. Although Martina from Germany said she feels even more at home in the Netherlands than in her native Germany.

“People are more open here and communicate very easily. I think if you are open then Dutch people are as open if not more, but you have to go out there and meet people.”

For Josuf from Syria the fair was a chance to try and meet potential employers.

He’s been in the Netherlands for two years after fleeing the war – he now he has his family with him and he’s already speaking Dutch, but so far what’s missing is a job for the former hospital laboratory technician.

“I am very happy to be here and be safe away from the war, but when you don’t work it is very hard. Finding a job will make me much happier and will also allow me to give something back to the country which has been so good to me,” he said.