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

HEALTH SPECIAL

INTERVIEW

From the Point of View of… Michele Visser

“We were traveling from Kathmandu to Delhi, but the driver had terminated his contract just before the bus was to leave. In order to solve this problem, the owner of the bus sent his brother from England to do the driving. This poor man had never driven a bus outside the UK, which is, of course, very different. One might say he was definitely inexperienced. He was a little panicky and he drove around with his foot constantly on the brake – instead of one hand on the horn, as most Indian bus drivers do. But he wouldn’t let anyone else drive the bus and, as we were traveling through the pre-monsoon heat, he was perspiring profusely all the time, and we took turns putting wet cloths on his bald head, stopping every 50 kilometers for him to recover. We slept at Indian truck stops, guarded by men with guns.”
Michele Visser

It’s Good to Talk

By Caroline Hunt
All across the world, there are expats dealing with different social norms, codes and behaviours. The novelty of a foreign culture often adds to the appeal of living abroad – however, sometimes the frustrations of expat life can lead to problems both in the workplace and at home.
‘Expatriate Counseling’, founded by Robbert Nuis in 2003, is a network of coaches, counsellors and therapists whose work is geared toward expats. This network stretches across the globe with practitioners in Europe, the US and Asia. In the Netherlands, there are five such practitioners connected to Robbert’s network. They offer very different services, including counselling, creative therapy, confidence coaching and even spiritual guidance. Robbert insists that each specialist has three things in common – a background as an expat, two languages... and a flexible work attitude.
For more information, visit: www.expatriatecounseling.com
 

TAX

Health Care Act

By Robin Schalekamp
If you work and pay tax in the Netherlands, you are subject to Dutch social security legislation. This also means you are obliged by law to take out a health insurance policy. A health insurance policy is a Dutch insurance policy that covers regular health care costs and meets the requirements of the Dutch Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet). This is regardless of nationality. Only if you have a so called E-101 declaration, in which it is stated that you are covered by the social security system of another country, will you not be covered by the compulsory insurance of the Netherlands.
In principle, you are free to choose a (Dutch) insurance company and your health care your insurance policy. The insurance company cannot refuse you the basic insurance, regardless of age or state of health. This basic insurance covers care by general practitioners and specialists, hospital care, medication, maternity care, IVF, dental care up to the age of 22, specialist dental care and dentures.
Employers in the Netherlands are not obliged to provide their employees with a private health care plan, nor can you be obliged to take out a policy with a particular company. Foreign insurance companies can also offer policies in the Netherlands, as long as the insurance policy complies with the Health Care Act, to which purpose a foreign insurance company can have its policy evaluated.
If you need assistance or in case you have questions you can contact BDO (info@bdo.nl) or Robin Schalekamp (robin.schalekamp@bdo.nl).
 
 

LEGAL 

Go Backstage – Understanding the Ins and Outs of the Dutch Health Care System

By Jan-Koen Sluijs
A concerted effort to understand health care insurance and the related regulations is something we rarely make; admittedly, most of us loathe reading through the small print and evaluating the consequences of our choices. Nevertheless, efficient health care goes hand in hand with sound rules and regulations and one is best advised to make an effort to explore as much as possible this seemingly endless terra incognita, especially when one is based in a foreign country.
To better understand the present – that is, you opening the next bill coming from your health care provider and not really knowing how and why to reclaim your expenses from your health care insurer – this article by Jan-Koen Sluijs offers a brief tour behind the scenes of Dutch health care regulations.
Jan-Koen Sluijs is a senior lawyer at GMW Advocaten and can be contacted j.sluijs@gmw.nl. For more information, visit www.gmw.nl/en.
 

Health Care Insurance – What Choices Do You Have to Make?

As of January 1, 2006, all residents of the Netherlands are obligated to arrange their own health care insurance. To pay for the insurance, everyone pays a fixed contribution of approximately € 1,200 and an income-dependent contribution. The income-dependent contribution is compensated by your employer, and is due up to a maximum amount that is determined annually. If you are unemployed or self-employed, you receive no such compensation. Children are covered free of charge.
The cost of a basic insurance is pretty much the same across the board; doing a little comparative shopping becomes worth your while if you are interested in additional coverage. You may change insurance companies every year; visit www.zorgplanet.nl to compare insurance companies and coverage. Issues that are of interest to look at when doing comparative shopping are: how much own risk you can take out, what the coverage is if you are abroad and fall ill or otherwise require medical care, level of dental care offered, alternative therapies, etc.
When you are arranging your insurance, you will run into the terms ‘natura polis’ or ‘restitutie polis’. If you take out a natura policy, your insurance will pay your medical bills directly. However, they will only pay out these bills to medical service providers they have entered into a contract with (you are free to select your own huisarts, or GP). The restitutie policy is slightly more expensive, but does give you the freedom of choice as to whom you wish to turn to for medical assistance. With the restitution policy, you pay the bill yourself and then submit it for compensation with your insurance company. Some insurance companies offer a combination of the two types of insurances.

HEALTH

Dealing With Your Doctor

Whether you are dealing with the common cold, appendicitis or something more intimidating, you need to know that you are not only in good hands, but that you can communicate and are understood. One of the great benefits of living in the Netherlands as an expat is that not only is the level of medical care excellent, but almost all – if not all – doctors master the English language more than well enough to understand your description of your symptoms and needs and to explain to you in plain English what will happen next. In order to help you prepare for your interaction with the person who will help you back onto the road to good health, we have put together this summary of the Dutch medical system. This article is based on the chapter on medical care in The Holland Handbook, for more information, visit www.hollandhandbook.nl.

Dental Care in the Netherlands

by Dennis Verhoeve
In the Netherlands, dental care is provided by university-educated dentists, all of whom are government-registered. The quality of the care provided, compared to other countries, is without a doubt, excellent, and you can find all regular dental specializations here.
Almost all dental practices in the Netherlands are private, there are no state practices. Most of them are modest undertakings, with one dentist and one assistant. In the larger cities there are larger practices, including several dentists, assistants, and dental hygienists; this allows the practice to diversify its services. As for the rates; the government determines the rate for services rendered, which makes them, generally speaking, lower than in most wealthy countries. Keep in mind that, unless you have taken out additional insurance, you are responsible for paying for the related costs, except for all dentistry for your children until the age of 21 as well as dental surgery for all adults.

Dennis Verhoeve runs an international dental clinic in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw neighborhood. His practice is focused on expats and there are many employees of multinational businesses among his clients. For more information, visit: www.theinternationaldentist.com.

Sanity-Saving Help Parents in The Hague are Looking For…

Raising children can be one of life’s most rewarding activities, yet it can also be chaotic and stressful. That's why Passionate Parenting of The Hague is offering a series of seminars in English to help desperate expatriate parents cope with raising kids in a foreign country.
Says Soul Robertson, the founder of the company: “We parents are constantly wondering whether we are doing it right. We are alternately enchanted or enraged by our kids’ independence, their behaviour and the things they say and do. We wonder: will our child grow up happy, secure and successful in this competitive world? Can we play a role to ensure their progress through life’s growth stages? Can we help them face up to the many challenges ahead of them? Can we help them be themselves in spite of influential peers, who might otherwise lead them astray?”
This year, so far, there has been a super line-up of 90 minute talks. Some topics are repeated to cater to the busy agendas of international / expat parents and are delivered in English. Among the topics discussed this year have been: Raising Bilingual Children; Global Nomad Families & Expat Kids; and Death in the Netherlands: Wills and Testaments are NL-Specific. Furthermore, general parenting topics are discussed, to help us recapture our enthusiasm for parenting and to impart us with the skills required to deal with certain hurdles, such as: Defiance: Dealing with Disobedience, How to Raise a Confident Child; Ten Top Tips to Turn Around Your Child’s Diet; Dialogic Reading: a Key to Future Academic Success; and Raising Your Child with Your Values.
For information in future workshops and to offer suggestions of your own, please visit www.passionateparenting.nl.


BEAUTY

Release the Beauty Within

By Deborah Valentine
Skin Therapy is a relative new area of study in the Netherlands that enables the practitioner to treat a variety of skin problems, facial or otherwise, ranging from scarring to oedema therapy. This means that for whatever reason you decide to visit Juno Beauty Salon, you can be assured of a treatment or advice best suited to your longer-term needs – not simply the immediate.
At Juno, a full hour-and-a-half session is spent on a short analysis of your skin, the subsequent application of the appropriate products for the requested attention and concludes with the added relaxation of a head and shoulder massage. You can also take the experience a step further and have a connective tissue massage (bindweefselmassage).
It is said that ‘beauty lies within’ or ‘beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’. Imagine having an experience in which the beauty from within is released, so when you look in the mirror, you yourself can see that that lies within you!
Juno Beauty Salon, Frambozenstraat 43, The Hague, www.schoonheidssalonjuno.nl.

No Pain, No Gain, No Sweat Approach to Slimming & Anti-Aging

At Beauty Corp, the adage of ‘no pain, no gain’ is a thing of the past, with regards to beauty, slimming, fitness and body treatments. Combining years of experience, with the latest in technology, Nina Kalliopohja and the team at Beauty Corp bring to The Hague a whole new approach to slimming and anti-aging treatments. Beauty Corp offers a wide range of services and treatments in the field of beauty, fitness and wellness. Services and treatments that take into consideration the fact that for many, time – or rather, the lack of it – is an issue that stands in the way of accomplishing goals regarding health and well-being. Today, with the revolutionary technology behind Power Plate®, time need no longer be a factor in preventing you from fulfilling your desires for looking, and feeling, better. The effects of Power Plate® can furthermore be enhanced with the application of related technologies such as a Power-Wrap®, Body Sculptor® and the Power NARL 517 Method to provide effective, visible and lasting results in less time than would otherwise be spent on exercising and dieting.
It is in fact possible to some in for a session and 20 minutes later leave to go straight back to work.... all these benefits without breaking a sweat!
For more information, visit www.beautycorp-denhaag.nl. 
 

HOUSING
 
Willemspark
Comfortable Living in the Center of the City

The Willemspark-complex is in the Mesdag quarter of The Hague, on the corner of the Javastraat and the Zeestraat. From here, it is but a short walk to the Peace Palace and to the Scheveningse Woods, and the city’s fashionable shopping district, while it is a mere 200 meters from the tram and bus stops that will take you the city center, The Hague Central Station or the beach of Scheveningen. Also by car, you exit the city within minutes, on your way to Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, or the airport.
More than anything, living comfortably means having control over your environment. The high-tech facilities of the complex assure you of this. There is a video-intercom connection with the entrance, the doors and windows are fitted with high-quality locks and hinges, while the apartments have an alarm installation, a three-point lock on the front door and a safe. The grounds are surrounded by a six-foot high gate. Furthermore, the complex has a facility manager who lives by the building.
Great care and attention has been paid to noise and heat insulation, including special sound-absorbing floors and other sound-absorbing measures. Double glazing, well-insulated roofs and outer walls ensure optimum heat insulation, resulting in lower heating costs and a pleasant indoor environment.
The Willemspark building used to house the Ministry of Social Affairs, but has now been converted into a monumental apartment complex that is surrounded by historical 19th-century buildings. It is divided in 66 luxurious apartments, varying in size from 70 to approximately 285 m2.
For more information: www.palladium-group.nl. 
 

EVENTS

Feel At Home In The Hague
Presents: International Culture & Leisure in Holland 2009/2010 
Sunday 20 September 2009, City Hall, The Hague, 11 A.M.-5 P.M.

For the fourth consecutive year, www.TheHagueOnLine.com is organising a fair for the 60,000-strong expat and international community in The Hague region called Feel at Home in The Hague – The International Community Fair. The Fair, which will be held in the atrium of the city hall, is expected to attract over 4,000 visitors – and around 200 organisations that will have their stands there.
This year, the organisers have decided to extend the reach and the scope of the event. The 2009 fair is entitled International Culture & Leisure in Holland 2009/2010, its goal being to provide information on culture and leisure events that are taking place in the Randstad region. The fair will be a sort of international cultural market for the estimated 120,000 expats and international community of the entire Randstad.
Each visitor to the Fair will receive a guide listing the major “Dutch no problem”-culture & leisure events happening in Holland during the cultural season 2009/2010.
For more information, visit: www.FeelAtHomeInTheHague.com.

Diversity & Discovery – Uncovering The Hague Festivals 2009

Under the umbrella of The Hague Festivals there are many, many, treasures to be found; treasures that celebrate the increasingly multi-cultural character of the city and treasures that reinforce The Hague as the capital of music – pop and jazz – in the Netherlands.
For those still debating or planning their summer holidays; keep June 12 – 28 in mind. The Hague will have enough on offer to entertain, inform, relax and distract everyone in the family! If you don’t have to leave, take the time to investigate – making choices will be just as difficult as navigating the cheapest way to get home! So, stay, and invite family and friends to join you in a city which will vibrate with the sights and sounds of the world, and Holland.
Visit www.thehaguefestivals.com for a full listing of each and every event and all the related activities. Information is available in French, English and German. Keep in mind that many, though by no means all, of these events are free – which is of course encouraging, but means you should also get there on time!

LEISURE

Summer Outings

By Shirley Agudo
If you’re looking for places to stay for some very special summer outings right here in Holland, here are four diverse hotels/B&Bs that are fabulous. One is a newly renovated, lakeside, designer-décor B&B only 11 minutes from Amsterdam; another is a Dutch farmhouse haven in the idyllic province of Drenthe (northeast Holland); another is an historic property oozing with character along a river and bay near Nijmegen, and the last is a romantic haven in the woods of Lage Vuursche. All are superb for biking, walking, and exploring nature. Enjoy:
Lakeside B&B near Amsterdam: Inn on the Lake, Broek in Waterland, www.innonthelake.nl
Stunning Farmhouse B&B with Private Cottage and Sauna: ‘t Olde Hof, Westervelde (Drenthe), www.oldehof.nl
For a very special retreat: Hotel Oortjeshekken, Ooij (Gelderland), www.oortjeshekken.nl
Nestled in the Woods: De Kastanjehof, Lage Vuursche (Utrecht), www.dekastanjehof.nl
If you do want to see more of the Netherlands this summer, check out the Bed & Breakfast organization, Erfgoed Logies, with their stunning, historic lodgings in manor houses, castles, farmhouses and canal houses. Two of the properties mentioned here – Inn on the Lake and ‘t Olde Hof – are part of that organization. And if you want to go a bit farther afield, Erfgoed Logies also has properties in Belgium and Germany. Rates are very reasonable, and the standards extremely high.
A full-color booklet is available at www.erfgoedlogies.nl. For Belgian properties, see also www.erfgoedlogies.be. 


North Sea Jazz: Joining King Louie’s Jungle VIP

Remember the scene in the movie The Jungle Book, in which Baloo the Bear is spying on King Louie and his apes, but is gripped by the beat of their music? He cannot stop his body from succumbing to the seductive rhythm and finds it dancing away from underneath him, as he says “I’m gone, man, solid gone”.
Three solid days of being ‘gone, man, solid gone’ are what is in store for you this summer at the North Sea Jazz Festival – as always. From the moment you start approaching the main entrance and feel the excitement and anticipation rising among the people around you, as the sound of the beat from inside reaches out and grabs you by the ear to pull you in, you will have no other choice than to give in to the lure of pure musical joy.
For more information, visit www.northseajazz.com, with as bonus feature that when you open the timetable, you can click on select genre and then select the type of music you are looking for. This will then be highlighted on the schedule, making it easy for you to piece together your ideal evening.
 

No Ocean Too Deep for Havestate Sailing

With its exceptionally professional and yet extremely comfortable 53 ft aluminum race yacht The Silver Lion (Scheveningen), Havestate Sailing offers you trips, training sessions or events to your liking, on the North Sea and beyond – for a maximum of 12 persons.
Training? Team building? Vacation? Want to learn how to sail? Want to take a trip out onto the sea? Want to see fireworks?
If you are interested in any of these, be sure to contact Marc Kraan of Havestate Sailing, e-mail: info@havestate.nl. 
 

TRAVEL 

Fit to Travel and Work Abroad

As an expat or a family member of an expat you probably travel a lot, for both work and pleasure. However, extensive travel can pose health hazards, particularly when you travel to exotic destinations, or when you are exposed to less exacting standards of hygiene or infectious diseases, or when you have to contend with different climates and time zones. For all these reasons it is important to remain alert and take the necessary precautions. And this is where KLM Health Services can help.
This travel organisation has specific expertise in the area of travel and health and keeps clients informed on the risks and on the preventative measures that they can take. These include vaccinations, malaria prevention, the consequences of poor hygiene, sleeping and waking patterns and safety aspects. KLM Health Services provides the latest, up-to-the-minute information about a certain destination immediately before departure.
KLM Health Services works for other international clients, such as development organisations, international companies, other airlines and offshore companies. For more information, visit: www.klmhealthservices.nl.

CULTURE 

Museumtickets.nl – Making Life a Little Less Complicated

By Dallas Brown
With two young kids, simplicity has become my mantra and best friend. I wanted a country guide, one central website with information on museums and attractions in Holland, and the tickets I needed to get into them. Museumtickets.nl is certainly not the only website on the cultural attractions of the Netherlands. In fact, there are an almost overwhelming number of them! But what makes museumtickets.nl uniquely helpful is that after you read the wonderful information about the places you’d like to visit, you can actually purchase tickets for them. Purchasing tickets to multiple venues from one website was a huge time saver. In between Dutch lessons and learning to cycle through traffic in the rain we could all use a tool that makes life a little less complicated – museumtickets.nl does that.

For more information, please visit: www.museumtickets.nl.
 

COLUMN

Funny You Should Ask About... Health Care

By Alison Agudo
I have lived in six different cities in five different countries on two different continents since I was born just a short 23 years ago. I do not have the figures on how many new doctors I have had during that time, but I can assure you it is in the double digits. And what, you may ask, is so bad about that? Am I not just getting a wider variety of medical care? Perhaps you may argue that more diversity is good when it comes to medical care and the experience of different doctors with individual approaches. I will give you that, but hear me out. It is not just the initial panic of “whom do I call when I am sick?”– it is everything that comes after that too. Luckily, over the years I have learned a few new tricks and I now find myself trying to professionally speed-date my doctor at my first consultation, mostly likely due to the voice in my head that says that this one too will soon be history.
Woe is me. Perhaps I can discuss this with a therapist – when I find one. 

 

READERS’ OFFER 

Taste Of Amsterdam
This Summer’s Ultimate Tasting Experience
From June 25-28

Taste of Amsterdam is a celebration of the finest cuisine the capital has to offer. Mingle with top chefs as you sample signature dishes from 15 prestigious restaurants. Improve your culinary skills and discover a stunning selection of fine wines and specialty food and drink, all in the beautiful surroundings of Amstelpark.

Give your palate a truly enjoyable education by experiencing all the special features of Taste of Amsterdam. You’ll have the rare opportunity to watch expert chefs in action, take part in tutored tasting sessions and buy exciting and unusual local and regional produce.

This unique event is part of an international festival that began with Taste of London in 2004 and has since spread to some of the greatest cities worldwide – from Dublin to Cape Town, to Dubai, to Sydney, to Amsterdam, whose turn it is to host a celebration of the finest cuisine there is on offer, as well as champagne bars, cocktail shaking, live music, and interactive experiences
SPECIAL XPAT JOURNAL READERS’ OFFER: 2 TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF 1

GO TO: WWW.TASTEOFAMSTERDAM.COM/ACTIE