The Spring 2009 Issue contains a.o. the following articles:

EDUCATION SPECIAL

INTERVIEW

From the Point of View of… Marian Crone

“Something that I like about the Dutch system, is that there are few privatized schools. Consequently, you find more of a cross-section of society in the schools than you do in England. Furthermore, the privatized schools in England take away the best teachers. It can become an obsession to get your children into the right school, with parents consulting league tables, or moving to another area to be closer to a good school. In that sense, the system here is fairer. Aside from a distinction in teaching philosophy or denomination, you can almost always find a school to your liking fairly close to home.”

LEGAL AFFAIRS

Education - A Sweet Fruit?

Finding the right school for one's offspring is a top priority for many international families, often leading to a vetoing of a country of posting. Quite often, the move to another country may involve a change to an antiquated educational system, an uphill battle to have grades and diplomas validated and, last but certainly not least, moving to a different linguistic regime. No matter which side of the educational or political spectrum they come from, newcomers to the Netherlands are usually stunned and also confused by the wealth of choice in educational matters they find in their new host country.
The educational system in The Netherlands is rated to be within the top 10 in the world. At present, next to the regular curriculum in Dutch, it has an impressive wealth of bilingual education on offer, from early childcare and nurseries to primary and secondary schools. Throughout the country and especially in the Randstad, many bilingual schools have an IB programme – International Baccalaureate – which greatly facilitates ensuing university studies, at least from the administrative and formal point of view. And then, of course, there are the International Schools and the schools that offer the British, German, French or the American curriculum. Dutch universities and colleges offer full courses in English or some other foreign language, greatly enhancing the employment chances of their graduates within the EU and beyond.
Arthur de Groot is senior lawyer at GMW Advocaten and can be contacted at 070 361 50 48 or a.degroot@gmw.nl. 
For more information please visit www.gmw.nl/en.

TAX

Education Expenses

It is the beginning of a new year. For a lot of people, this means time for New Year’s resolutions, changes, and a fresh look at life in general, and work in particular. And what better way to start the new year than with an education to broaden your horizon?
Getting an education almost inevitably involves a tuition fee for the course or study of your choice. With some luck, perhaps your employer will be willing to reimburse (a part of) the tuition fees. If not, then perhaps you will be able to claim a deduction in your Dutch income tax return.
Another issue is that of school fees for your children, or perhaps tuition expenses for your spouse, if he or she decides to go back to school here.
In the article, the author describes these options and the tax consequences in more detail.

EXPAT LIVING

Novoexpat: The New Expat

Olga and Marianne have a gift. They listen – truly listen, without being distracted by their own inner voices, opinions or experiences. When you are with them, the conversation is about you. A you they will help you find, if you feel you’ve lost yourself moving from country to country.
“We coach expats, to help them focus on a work-life balance,” Marianne Hermsen tells. “Being sent abroad is more than just a placement by your employer; it is an adventure, a change, an opportunity to discover things about yourself.” Adds Olga Romanillos: “We focus not only on the executive expat, but also on the spouse. In many cases, their career has been put on hold, and they are exposed to daily life, which is far less structured than that of their partner, who still has a job to go to. During the first year, expats and their spouses are offered a lot of practical support in finding a house, schools, a doctor, arranging permits, insurances, etc. But after that year, when all practical matters have been taken care of, is when the spouse has the time to look around and think about what direction she plans to give her – because, in most cases, the spouse is still a woman – life. That’s when she starts to look at her position in all this; what am I going to do, who have I become, how much am I expected to adapt to his new culture?”
Novoexpat also offers a wide selection of services, created for expat executives, teams and spouses, ranging from workshops – such as The Manager as Coach, aimed at learning to listen to your employees and to empower them, or Living Your Values, created for expat spouses – to pre-departure, pre-repatriation and foreign assignment coaching sessions. 
For more information, visit: www.novoexpat.com

HOUSING

Vroondaal - A Secret Worth Sharing

Finding a place to live, and calling it home, in a country you are unfamiliar with can be daunting. Even for those returning to the Netherlands with a taste of other living styles, satisfying that experience may seem impossible. Before throwing your hands up in despair at not finding the right place, or before concluding your search, take a look at The Hague’s best kept secret. Vroondaal offers something unique to the Dutch property options – choice, style and location. Taking lessons from the more exclusive residential areas of the country in which space and greenery are central items, the area is being developed as the newest exclusive residential neighbourhood of the region. Vroondaal’s design matches the rich tradition of select Dutch residential districts, while allowing new home owners to add their own touch.
For more information and contact details, visit the English pages of www.vroondaal.nl. 
For more information on the apartments, visit www.villavroondaal.nl.

LEISURE

Dip Your Senses Into Spring

The Dutch desert is hidden away in the Loonse en Drunense dunes, next to Tilburg, Brabant. Although this sandpit is a mere grain compared to the Sahara, it is in fact the largest patch of active drifting sand in Western Europe. ‘Active drifting sand’ is loose sand of which the top layer gets picked up by the wind, leaving behind the great swerving patterns and slithers tracing the wind’s dance.
As the bowl consists of small hills, tree patches and valleys tucked away, you can find your own private retreat. You need only to follow one of the routes and veer off when you’ve located your own perfect area of sand. Along the park there are more restaurants where you can stop off for a quick break or refreshment, but I recommend that you take your own picnic basket and fill it to the brim with goodies, because once you’re seated in the sun, you won’t be leaving any time soon.
Another ten-minute drive away from the Loonse and Drunense dunes is an area called Koningshoeven. In 1881, a group of Trappist monks left the village of Monts-des-Cats in Northern France in order to flee religious persecution, and settled down near Berkel-Enschot. This devout group of monks supported themselves by farming and cattle breeding, but for their growing community, the profits from the poor-quality land were inadequate to make ends meet. With their life slogan in mind ‘When they live by the labor of their hands,....then they are really monks’, they figured they’d try their hand at beer brewing, a far more profitable industry. And they were right.
www.nationaalpark.nl/ldd/default.xml
www.latrappe.nl

The Hague Jazz 2009

The line-up of the festival will be announced on March 11, after this issue goes to press – however, we can lift a tip of the veil by sharing with you those artists whose performance has already been announced: Morris Day & The Time, Hank Jones & The Metropole Orkest, Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, Ivan Lins & Metropole Orkest, Hugh Masekela, Trijntje Oosterhuis & Karel Boehlee Trio, Rod Mckuen, Take 6, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. If you are a fan of richly funky music and enjoyed every note of the movie Purple Rain, then Morris Day’s performance should be fingerlickin’ good. If you enjoy the smooth vibe of Take 6’s gospel music, then make sure to slide your way into the crowd and settle down for a blissful hour or so of their mesmerizing R&B and jazz mix. Take 6 has worked together with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Ray Charles, Marcus Miller, Whitney Houston and countless others and has won numerous awards, such as 10 Grammys, 1 Soul Train Award and 10 Dove Awards. Hank Jones, at the tender age of 90, is sure to charm you as he lets his dexterous fingers tumble across the keyboard and take you back to the days of tender, melodious jazz. But also Hugh Masekela, with his African sound, is sure to keep you entranced as you discover your inner beat, accompanied by his sometimes laid-back, sometimes swift, intuitive rhythm.
There is so much to look forward to! We hope to see you there, on May 22 and 23. 
For more information, visit www.thehaguejazz.com.

Wetlands Safari
Grab a Canoe and Explore the Local Swamp Lands

From May 1 - September 15, for the 15th season in a row, Wetlands Safari will be organizing canoe trips through nostalgic North Holland. Foreigners and locals alike will enjoy this opportunity to explore the wetlands just outside Amsterdam.
During the Wetlands Safari you will travel through a 17th-century landscape, through villages that have been built on land and water. In this unique watery landscape, dominated by dense reed-land, you can observe numerous water and song birds – such as the meadow birds, which have adopted the Netherlands as their breeding ground – while enjoying the wonderful, fragrant water plants with their fascinating flowers.
The Safaris, which last approximately five-and-a-half hours, are organized every Monday through Friday and on Sundays. They start at 9:30 A.M., when you are picked up at the VVV-tourist office ‘koffie huis’ opposite Amsterdam’s Central Station – though departures from other locations can be organized upon request. The price, which includes transportation, something to drink before and after the trip, the canoe, a lunch, the guide and a small donation to Landschap Noord Holland, starts at € 38 per person, or € 25, for children age 7-16. Canoe experience not required.
www.wetlandssafari.nl

EDUCATION

The Dutch Educational System

In all probability, if you are moving to the Netherlands, you are planning on sending your children to either and international school or a nationality-based school. However, there are other options you might want to consider.
Though an international school might seem a logical move, Dutch schools need not be out of the question. Elementary-age children learn languages quickly and it’s wonderful for them to have a local group of friends that they can hang out with after school. For high school-age children, there are also two additional options, other than going to an entirely Dutch school. In this article, you will find a short description of the Dutch education system, from elementary school through university – including the foreign-language education options.
We refer you to our list of resources for the websites of the international schools in the Netherlands as for other educational institutions, and sources of information.

Study In Holland

According to Han van der Horst, historian and PR officer at Nuffic, the Netherlands has the largest selection of higher English-language education on the European continent. “We offer approximately 1,400 courses and programs,” he explains.
Which courses these are, you can find on www.studyinholland.nl. They are offered across the country – at all levels; BA, MA and Ph.D – and range from engineering , to medicine,”… to satellite data interpretation, to potato farming, to music conservatory,” Van der Horst adds with a measure of glee. Depending on which course you take, they last anywhere from a few days to a few years.”
The study options in the Netherlands are not only attractive for students who want to come in from abroad: “Being here is an excellent opportunity for expat partners, who aren’t allowed to work here, or can’t find a job at the desired level, to further their skills and knowledge. I call it ‘filling up your intellectual tank’. If you meet the qualifications and can afford the tuition, then you will be admitted to the program of your choice.”
In this article, you will find more on qualification requirements, the Dutch educational culture, accreditation, tuition, grants, getting a Ph.D., etc.

Leiden University Campus the Hague Welcomes Internationals

Practicing science is by definition an international affair. This is certainly true for Leiden University, which is internationally renowned for its high-quality academic teaching, scholarship and research in law, liberal arts and sciences, and is attracting an increasing number of international staff and students, both from overseas as well as from other European countries.
Ten years ago, Leiden University established its second location; Leiden University Campus The Hague in the city of The Hague. Campus The Hague specializes in education and research in the field of International Law, Public Administration, Political Science and cross-cutting themes such as Public Affairs and Safety & Security, and successfully combines the academic experience of Leiden University with the main assets of The Hague as the governmental heart of the Netherlands and International City of Peace and Justice.
Leiden University Campus the Hague invites internationals who are working and living in the Hague area to join this rapidly expanding academic community. In 2009, Campus The Hague will be offering a series of programs and activities that are of interest to the international community of The Hague. For more information, visit: www.campusdenhaag.nl.

Distance Learning: A Suitable Way to Obtain an MBA

The late ‘70s saw the rise of part-time MBA programmes, which still required access to a good quality business school nearby and a commitment to regular attendance over an extended period. Distance learning was introduced towards the end of the 1980s as a viable way for managers and professionals to obtain that premier business qualification: an MBA.
However, this optimum blend of conceptual learning and practical application is not easy to achieve in practice. Distance learning can provide an excellent mode for learning, but only if the school has designed its programme with care and sensitivity for the requirements of the delivery method. It is never sufficient to treat a distance-learning MBA programme as simply a proxy for a traditional face-to-face system. One aspect of this is the set of course materials. While a distance-learning programme can be based on standard text-books, this will inevitably need to be interwoven with materials created specifically for the distance-learning method of tuition.
Ultimately, the test of a good MBA degree is what the individual can do with what he or she has learned, in the workplace. Studying for an MBA through distance learning is never going to be an easy option, but the ability to integrate theory and practice whilst one gains the degree is likely to lead to a better, more complete senior
manager.
Richard Wheatcroft is Masters Programme Director, The Open University Business School

Business Opportunity

For more than 55 years, MSM has played an important role in international management education. MSM is a non-profit independent foundation that offers a wide range of high-quality management training programs leading to MBA, Executive MBA, Global Distance MBA, MSc, DBA and Ph.D degrees. In addition, MSM offers high-quality MBAs in some 25 countries, working together with MSM’s local academic partner institutions – as well as various shorter management training programs and courses. A distinctive feature of the MSM programs and courses is their international and intercultural setting, which prepares students for working effectively in different businesses and cultures. It is MSM’s mission to make high-quality training programs accessible to the managers of the future from all across the globe, with an emphasis on emerging economies and developing countries. It is not surprising that an MBA class of 60 students represents more than 35 different nationalities!
Over time, MSM has built up a global network of more than 30,000 alumni, who hold top positions in practically all emerging economies. MSM InterBridge aims to make this network of alumni, professors and teaching staff accessible to the internationally-oriented business community, starting in the Euregion. This is done by bringing together this MSM network and those companies that are either planning to branch out abroad, looking for new markets, or in need of a reliable analysis of local market possibilities.
For more information, visit: www.msm.nl.

KIDS

The Move From the Point of View of the Kids

One of the unanticipated complications of moving abroad with children is their adoption of ‘other’, or ‘unfamiliar’, norms in terms of social interaction and expectations from life –often resulting in a culture clash within the own home. Of course, this hardly simplifies things.
Understandably, you wish that at least behind your own front doors, things would remain familiar and predictable. You will probably be tempted to encourage (admonish) your children to ‘remember’ who they are. But that’s just the point. Children are work in progress and a move abroad is certain to throw new ingredients into the mix.
All in all, clearly, ‘change’ is inevitable. The important thing to remember is that communication is of the essence here. Those things that you might find obvious, with your adult wisdom, are things your child might need to have explained. So, take a step back, think back to who you were when you were their age and then try to imagine how you would have felt under the same circumstances. And take it from there.

COLUMN

Funny You Should Ask About… Education

Funny you should ask about education because, as I sit in this quaint little brasserie in the center of Geneva, I’m questioning it as well. As a 23-year-old American expatriate and Master’s student living in Switzerland, I often find myself questioning what it means to be ‘educated’ as an expatriate child.
I wonder, for example, if what I was required to absorb in the classroom is more relevant than what I naturally absorbed outside of the classroom in the five countries where I’ve lived. What are, in fact, the pros and cons of having a multicultural education? And, in the end, doesn’t it matter more what we do with our education than which continent we got it in?
I also wonder about the specific knowledge that I’ve retained – or not. Did I receive enough American history instruction at the International Schools I attended? Likewise, did I pay enough attention to European geography at the American elementary schools I went to in the States? And, was learning Spanish from a native French teacher and French from a native German teacher really helpful? Je ne sais pas.

LEISURE

A Friendship That’s Come A Long Way - NY400 Celebrates Dutch American Relations

This spring, hundreds of thousands of Dutch daffodils and tulips will bloom throughout New York City. They have been planted to mark four hundred years of uninterrupted friendship between the Netherlands and America. An organisation called NY400 has carefully planned a yearlong programme of reflection, education and entertainment to acknowledge all things Dutch-American, past, present and future.

Celebrations will be taking place on both sides of the Atlantic to remember the rich history that belongs to the Netherlands and the US. For more information, visit www.ny400.com

MEDIA

A Regional Public Broadcasting Station Goes International

‘Going international’ generally suggests that a business has expanded its wings and taken its operations further afield. For TV West, the public broadcaster for the northern region of the Province of South Holland it has meant a very different course of action. No-one has re-located, there are no overseas offices nor representatives, nor an increase in long distance phone bills or travel expenses. Rather, while staying at home, they have produced a programme for the resident international community and thus have gone international in their programming, as opposed to their operations.
Spearheaded by the Municipalities of The Hague, Delft, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Zoetermeer and the Province of South Holland, West International is the first of its kind in the Netherlands; a locally-based English-language programme to keep the international community informed while also providing the Dutch community with some insight into the lives of their guests. Each episode of West International is subtitled in Dutch and on www.westinternational.nl, every episode can be reviewed and shared with others, and additional information will be provided. French subtitled episodes can be seen on www.rtvwest.nl/westinternational

TRAVEL

Travel Management: Efficient & Effective

More than ever, in this era of economic uncertainty, how businesses, small or large, choose to spend their money is crucial. Wise judgement, and the careful allocation and prudent use of resources become increasingly important. Business must go on though, and this includes business travel. For small and medium-sized enterprises without an in-house travel professional or desk dedicated to investing time in finding the best options of getting from A to B and to how to do this cost-effectively, the task can be overwhelming, yet the savings significant.
Uniglobe Alliance Travel is the world's largest single brand retail travel franchise company specialized in providing travel agency services to small and mid-sized corporate clients and to leisure passengers. It is a ‘service-first’ organization, which provides its clients with the power of a global purchasing agent with the benefits of personal attention. The team at Uniglobe Alliance Travel in the Netherlands consists of individuals who have years of experience, advanced degrees in the travel industry, are highly qualified, and are trained to use ‘smart ticketing’ – the latest technology – to the best advantage of their clients.
For more information, visit: www.uniglobealliance.com

DUTCH CULTURE

What Makes the Dutch Dutch?

Being new to a country is a challenge for each expatriate. Also being new to the Netherlands comes with its standard hurdles, difficulties and challenges. Now, there are two approaches you can take, as an expat. You can say: “I’ll just have to bear with it and hope I get used to it,” or: “Why are the Dutch so Dutch and what can I do to better understand them?” In mentioning the latter option, we are not talking about a magic potion, but rather a workshop that will help you understand the Dutch. The Introduction to the Netherlands workshop has been designed to give you a head start into Dutch society. For those expat or expat partners who want to enjoy their stay here and want to understand what makes the Dutch so Dutch, this one-day workshop is an easy introduction to living in the Netherlands. It may not help you to appreciate dropjes or raw(!) herring, but it may help you to value the Dutch directness slightly better.
Expertise in Labour Mobility runs this workshop approximately nine times per year. The next opportunities to participate are March 17, May 19 and June18, 10:30 A.M.– 4:30 P.M. The workshops are given in Rotterdam, and cost € 165 per person, incl. lunch and drinks as well as an information package.
To register or for more information, visit www.labourmobility.com or send an e-mail to info@labourmobility.com.

SPORTS/LEISURE

Sailing at Sea: A Wonderful Experience

As a new expat here in Holland, you may be looking for new activities to develop or new people to meet. Perhaps you are thinking about joining new sports or leisure activities. Here might be your perfect opportunity to do both at the same time, while exploring your sailing skills and have a great time on the North Sea.
Have you ever thought about taking on the North Sea and learning how to tame her? NLsailing/Zeezeilschool Scheveningen offers these sea-sailing courses and has a sailing school situated right in the harbour of Scheveningen, a suburb of The Hague. For water activities, Scheveningen has much to offer. In only a few minutes you find yourself on open water, replacing the rat-race of work (right behind you) for a wealth of freedom for the body and mind.
There are plenty of opportunities from Scheveningen, such as sailing trips to England, the Channel Islands and France. The school is CWO certified and offers sailing courses for beginners up to yacht master. Evening sailing lessons feel like small holidays at sea and are one of the many courses offered. For foreigners, sailing lessons are available in German and English. Easter and Pentecost also provide many sailing opportunities. And for those looking for sailing gear there are several (all-embracing) nautical shops in only a few minutes from your departure to sea.
Internet: www.nlsailing.nl or www.zeezeilschool.nl

EXPAT LIVING

The Eden Amsterdam American Hotel

The Eden Amsterdam American Hotel was built in 1900 and, as it is an important example of architectural Art Nouveau, has been a listed building since 1972. Some of its architectural features are ready to be discovered in the famous Café Americain and in the hotel’s 175 guest rooms. The guest rooms still feature original stained-glass windows and vanities lined with an elegant granite surface.
The Eden Amsterdam American Hotel is very centrally located: right on the Leidseplein – the famous square with great restaurants, bars, theatres – and a footstep away from the Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum and the beautiful Vondel Park.
For more information, visit: www.edenamsterdamamerican.com

LEISURE

Whatever Floats Your Boat!

In the summer of 2007, Bastiaan Peters found himself looking out of his window at boats cruising along the canals outside. He thought how nice it would be to own a boat and discussed the possibility of buying one with a friend. It wasn’t long before the dream became a reality-check; “We were very disappointed to discover how expensive the boats were, not to mention the maintenance costs,” says Bastiaan.
Today, Amsterdam Boats has 25 different cruisers available for private parties. They range from a small six-seater to a vessel capable of carrying 170 people. The company also arranges ‘boating experiences’; these include historical tours of the city, corporate lunches, wine tasting events and much more. The Architecture Cruise is a popular trip, starting in the 18th Century and exploring the city through time by revealing how architectural trends have evolved over the centuries. New on the agenda this year is a Dine-Around-Town cruise. Various other experiences that celebrate the finer things in life include Champagne Tasting and a Vodka Caviar Evening.
Amsterdam Boats only caters to private groups; “It doesn’t matter how basic or luxurious the request,” says Bastiaan “we’ll wave you off on a little six-seater or serve you like royalty aboard a top quality cruiser. Unlike other boating businesses, in Amsterdam nothing is set in stone; we work our packages around the client.”
They say every city should be seen from the water and Amsterdam is no exception. “When you walk on the street, everything is at eye-level,” says Bastiaan “It isn’t until you get on the water that you actually look up and see the tops of houses as well as many other sights you wouldn’t normally look at.” Apart from the canals being ideal for sight-seeing, Bastiaan believes it’s the atmosphere that really makes boating great. “There’s camaraderie on the canals, strangers smile and wave to each other, everyone is your friend on the water.”
For more information, visit: www.rentaboatamsterdam.com

© Copyright The XPat Journal

Top