  
Special InterestInternational EducationWhat types of international education are available in the Netherlands.Read more Special InterestHousing in the NetherlandsThis section offers you practical tips and useful information such as where to buy or rent, selecting an agent and negotiating the deal.Read more Special InterestEmploymentThere are a number of things you need to know before entering the job market in the Netherlands, such as: the make-up of the Dutch employment market, finding a job here as an expatriate, Dutch labor law, the Dutch social security system etc.Read more |
The Summer 2012 Issue - summaries
INTERVIEW
“Point of view… I don’t know what my point of view is, it’s always changing! But that’s because I can always see every point of view. If you want to be innovative, you have to be able to change your mind. You have to be able to understand each other and you have to have multi-faceted brain. I dare, that’s what makes life so interesting. I cannot imagine not being like that – there’s so much out there and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!”
HEALTH CARE
When you are sick, it is very distressing to be at the mercy of another person, and even more so if this happens in another country and another language. This article contains an overview of the Dutch health care system, as well as of some of the (cultural) differences you are likely to run into – in hopes of preparing you somewhat for one of those aspects of adapting to a new culture that cultural awareness programs seldom cover; medical culture shock.
Medical insurance is one of those matters that the Dutch have devoted particular thought to – meaning that the outcome is characteristically complex. It is a topic that requires some discipline to decipher, yet it is also a very important one, with considerable consequences if you fail to deal with it correctly. Trying to read up about it requires becoming familiar with terms that even the average Dutch person will have a hard time grasping, let alone explaining to you. In this article, we cover the most important rules and terminology in order to help you figure out what your options and your obligations are. LEGAL Legal Leads the Way Former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the first to call The Hague the 'legal capital of the world'. This city hosts the world's main legal bodies such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court (ICC), The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), as well as lesser-known but surprisingly influential organizations, such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the recently established Panel of Recognised International Market Experts in Finance, P.R.I.M.E. Finance. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE THE REGION
In March 2012, the Province of Utrecht received a variety of awards as a promising European region of the future from fDi Magazine. The City of Utrecht was named one of the best smaller European cities of the future when it comes to quality of life (2nd place) and human resources (2nd place). This was partially thanks to the city’s high student population and well-educated workforce – the highest in the Netherlands (CBS, 2011). The Province of Utrecht is home to numerous quality educational institutes; Utrecht University, the largest and best university in the Netherlands (Shanghai Academic Rankings of World Universities 2011) and University College Utrecht (UCU), the honors college of Utrecht University. Also the International School Utrecht (ISU) will be opening its doors for the first time after the summer. During the first year, the school will provide primary and secondary programs for students aged 4 to 13, particularly aimed at international children residing in the Utrecht region. As of August 2013, the school will further expand to include older students, ultimately leading to the International Baccalaureate Diploma. www.uu.nl/ucu
By Robin Pascoe On September 12, the Dutch will go to the polls to elect a new parliament. That is the easy bit. The complications stem from the electoral system, demands from Brussels and the political horse-trading that follows once the votes have been counted. To people from countries where election results are clear-cut, the Dutch system – involving numerous parties and complicated coalitions – can seem unfathomable. Perhaps even more so now that a minority coalition which had an alliance with a third party has made a new agreement with three other parties to introduce policies which could disappear in a puff of smoke come the September vote results. To try and untangle this complicated series of events, Robin takes us to the beginning.
Modern-Day Libraries - What Goes on There, in this Digital Age? We all know that reading is a joy and a wonderful skill to pass on to our children, but in this digital age, what really goes on in the Library? The mission of the librarians at American School of The Hague is to help students develop a lifelong love of reading and learning, to teach them how to become information literate as well as digital citizens, and to encourage them to become contributing members of the global community. But how, you may ask, does this happen in the day-to-day routine of a school student? BANKING ABN AMRO’s Community Involvement - Why and How? Being an involved, active and responsible actor in society is what being societally responsible is all about for ABN AMRO. The bank does this because they think it is important that those who are vulnerable – for whichever reason this may be – and therefore cannot fend for themselves in society, know that the bank is involved with their plight. www.abnamro.com HOUSING
Are you looking for a place to live that is flexible and hassle-free? Then be sure to visit Van ‘t Hof Rijnland, who have a wide choice of rentals in the Hague region – from spacious luxury apartments in the international Statenkwartier of The Hague and Zoetermeer, to family houses and apartments in Ypenburg. In short, they have something for everyone.
Nowadays, you no longer need a five-star hotel to experience top-notch luxury and service. At Résidence L'Étoile you can enjoy the services of a PA (Personal Assistant), direct access to the parking garage and the luxury of an in-house fitness room.
The new partner in global mobility. All-in services for skilled migrants! Skilled migrants play an increasingly important part in the Dutch economy, and Expat Services WorldWide (ESWW) aims to be the new partner for employers and, above all, HR Managers when it comes to offering support services for skilled migrants. Both in the Netherlands and anywhere else in the world.
The Experiment By Lisa Lipkin I decided to identify an event each month that I had absolutely no interest in or knowledge of, the kind of situation that I would normally run from. And I would force myself to go to it. I wanted to see what would happen if I opened myself up to unexpected environments, to worlds I loathed, was bored by, or frightened of. Would my worst instincts come to fruition or might there be unexpected surprises? Maybe our lives are only as prescribed as we allow them to be. Time would tell. I found my first happening online. It was a networking event for people involved with a technology called Augmented Reality. Even the name scared me. Being an artistic type, this was the kind of thing that would normally send my right brain into panic mode. Instead, I headed straight for it.
Travel the World in Delft This Summer! From August 3-12, the historical centre of Delft will echo with music during the Delft Chamber Music Festival 2012. The theme of this 16th edition is Travelling. Liza Ferschtman, winner of the Dutch Music Price 2006, has been the Festival’s artistic director since 2005. This year, she has invited the world of classical music’s most famous personalities to contribute to this unique festival. CULTURE The Rainbow Nation Wednesday, July 18, is international Nelson Mandela-day and on this day, Arie Schippers’ Nelson Mandela Monument will be revealed. In honor of this moment, the Hague Sculpture Foundation and the Museum Sculptures at Sea have organized the extensive summer exhibition The Rainbow Nation: Modern Sculptures from South Africa. On the Lange Voorhout and in the Museum Sculptures at Sea, you will be able to see the development of South African sculpture art over the past 60 years; from the dark days of Apartheid to the era of freedom that started in 1994 – when Mandela was elected in the first elections that were held for all races – to the current period of transformation. The exhibition will take place from May 29 - September 6 on the boulevard Lange Voorhout, and June 8 – September 30 in Museum Sculptures at Sea (Museum Beelden aan Zee), Harteveltstraat 1, The Hague. EVENT
4,500 Expats Expected to Attend the Netherlands’ Biggest Expat Fair On Sunday, October 7, at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, Expatica will host its ninth annual i am not a tourist Expat Fair. This one-day event is the largest fair of its kind and has become an institution for internationals in the Netherlands. For those who are still finding their bearings, over 65 companies will be present to offer advice regarding housing, employment, relocation, taxes, and banking. In addition, approximately 10 educational institutions, including schools and universities, will be present. “i am not a tourist 2012 will offer all the basic resources that are of the utmost importance for newcomers, but also present entertainment and culture for those who have already found their way in the Netherlands,” said Event Manager Daniëlle de Groot. “Whether you are a newcomer to the country or an experienced international resident of many years, this is a ‘can’t miss’ event.” Further information and FREE tickets visit: http://www.expatica.com/iamnotatourist EXPAT LIVING In Touch with the Dutch By Marian van Bakel Working abroad may seem like a dream come true, yet it should not be forgotten that expatriates face many challenges while establishing a new life in unfamiliar surroundings. For expatriates and companies alike, the assignment must be successful – if not, the consequences could be high direct and indirect costs, at the expense of the future global business of the company, or causing disappointment and a loss of self-esteem for the expatriate him or herself. WINING Flying Green ‘Flying blue’ are well-known words in the world of aviation; they are the slogan of the Royal Dutch airline of KLM. However, ‘flying green’ might be equally as appropriate as it can honestly be said that KLM is one of the world’s ‘greenest’ airlines. WHEELS
The new Mazda CX-5 with its revolutionary SkyActiv Technology* is the first of an entirely new generation of Mazdas – the sixth generation in the brand’s history. The crossover SUV, which was presented at the Geneva Autosalon, experienced its world premiere at the IAA 2011 – the Frankfurt Motorshow – in September of last year. Rather than being meant as a replacement for the existing model, it was added to the Mazda line-up in 2012. This Spring, the European press was given the opportunity to take the car for a test ride. Also The XPat Journal gladly embraced the opportunity to take the new CX-5 on a two-day tour of the rustic countryside surrounding Vienna, Austria – the ideal backdrop for two days of driving pleasure. EVENT
There’s something very special about being among the first to arrive at a festival; the rush of excitement as people pour in through the gates on their way to something – or someone – they have been looking forward to for months. But there is also something very special about being there when the crowds have started to go home, and the last smash crowdpleaser is still whooping it up somewhere in the distance – drawing in those who are not yet ready to let go of the evening. As you give in to the pull of the night’s last big show, half the fun is passing people engrossed in deep philosophical discussion, musicians who have collected in the hallway and are basking in the after-glow, and visitors who are dancing a little jig to the memory of a contagious song that has found the ‘repeat’ button in their ears.
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From the Point of View of… Sonia Sin
Taking the Sting Out of Medical Culture Shock
The Province of Utrecht - A New International Hub
It’s Party Politics Time
Care-Free Living In or Nearby The Hague
Résidence L’Étoile - Living In a Five-Star Apartment
Expat Services Worldwide Sets a New Trend! 
Ninth “i am not a tourist” Set to Captivate Amsterdam Once Again
The New Mazda CX-5
North Sea Jazz Festival