travel
, , ,

How travelling helped me to settle.

We speak to culture/travel blogger Tea Gudek Šnajdar, who talks about the special role that travel has played in her expat experience. Exploring her new country and taking advantage of the many opportunities available to travel outside of it…
Haarlem
, , , , , ,

Things to do in Haarlem this August

Whew, what a summer! And it's still going! Here are a few events in Haarlem that may peak your interest. From Thursday 2 to  Sunday 5 August, the main square is turned into a foodie heaven. It's Haarlem Culinair! At the same time…
expats
, , ,

Challenges of Expats – Summer Interview with Jessica Stazzone Manazza

While supporting ambitious professionals who recently moved abroad, I publish these interviews, revealing personal stories, tips and advice. Arriving in a new country is such a change, and how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be a challenge. …
Kweektuin
, , , , ,

Visiting the Biomarkt at Haarlemmer Kweektuin

Living in Haarlem it is hard not to notice the big market at the Grote Markt every Saturday. But this isn’t the only market to discover. Every first Saturday of the month an organic market opens its doors in the Haarlemmer Kweektuin. Located…
novels
, , , , ,

Novels to better understand the Dutch

Getting to know a new culture can be difficult, especially when there is a language barrier. I moved to Holland five years ago and even if I have taken lessons and try my best to speak Dutch on every available occasion, my Dutch is still not…
Animals
, , ,

A child or a dog? A decision of millennial's.

A close friend, a successful journalist, an attractive girl and wife, bought a dog with her husband. They are not ready for children at the moment but will consider this question in five or six years. Having the dog is an excellent solution…
road trip
, , , , ,

3 road trips with kids to make from the netherlands part 3 Germany

Its summer and you're probably thinking about taking the family out for a road trip! In this final instalment, we look at Germany. Part one of this series is in France and part two of this series is in Belgium.  Road trips from the…
friends
, , ,

6 tips on how to make friends

Leaving your friends and support network behind can be one of the greatest challenges of an international relocation. But, as every expat knows, it also creates space for new friendships and the opportunity to engage with people you might not…
Haarlem
, , , ,

Things to do in Haarlem this July

Summer is finally here and July is packed full of activities! From a concert on the Spaarne to the end of the month drink; we got you covered. On Saturday, 7 July our famous river, the Spaarne will turn into a floating stage to host the…
motivation
, ,

Tips to stay motivated anywhere in the world.

Are you truly enjoying your experience abroad and completely happy? You may have days when your motivation is completely lost, your courage is below zero and your self-doubt is sky high. I sure recognize that. Over the past years, in every…
Henry Hope
, , ,

Dutch History; Henry Hope, the American who picked Haarlem for his pleasure Palace.

Henry Hope (1735–1811) was an Amsterdam merchant banker born in Boston, in Britain's Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He was a key figure in the Dutch East India Company and made a fortune. He built the Villa Welgelegen in Haarlem. Henry…
road trips
, , , ,

3 road trips with kids to make from Netherlands part 2 Belgium

No matter if you are planning a break for a weekend or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone living in the Netherlands. This article is a part of a three-part series. Part 2 is about Belgium. Part one…
home
, , , ,

In search of home.

Home, Charles Dickens writes, is a word stronger than a magician ever spoke. A word that houses under its roof an entire universe of virtues. To feel at home implies an essential alignment – an ease with the world and with oneself. We all…
Haarlem
, , , , , , ,

Things to do in Haarlem this June

After the warmest May on record, we now enter June. Will the good weather last? Who knows! However, Haarlem still has plenty of things to do. On Friday, June 1 is the SoRally 2018! Old and young cars will tour Haarlem starting from the…
Name
,

What is in a name?

Adolf is aloof, boring and probably has a hidden agenda. Geraldine is a nobody.  Troy is pretentious. Tony is a thug. Donald is a puppet who thinks he is funny.  Vicky is  fun, excitable and good company. Bertha is a fat and uninteresting…
Suriname
, , ,

Suri-where?

Why would anyone go to Suriname if you’re not a nostalgic Dutch or someone just looking for a wild adventure? Simple, this tiny country is a world itself—breaking out from its colonial history while embracing its mixed heritage. Tucked between…
homesickness
, , ,

9 Tips to Beat Homesickness

It can be difficult adjusting to a new environment and homesickness creeps in. You feel lonely and miss your familiar routine, your family, friends, and neighbourhood. You long for your kitchen with your food and drinks and being able to find…
road trip
, , , ,

3 road trips with kids to make from the Netherlands part 1 France

Spring is already here and I am sure you have already started thinking about your next family trip. No matter if you are planning a break for the upcoming bank holidays or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone…
Liberation Day
, , , , , , , , , , ,

5th May: Liberation Day and festival

Following directly on from Remembrance Day, 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Liberation Day throughout Haarlem and the Netherlands. You will find a wide variety of entertainment and events taking place to commemorate the liberation…
William the Silent
, ,

Dutch History; William the Silent. How the Prince of Orange became an outlaw.

William the Silent or more commonly known as William of Orange was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that started the Eighty Years' War. He was born in the House of Nassau as Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. He became…
Haarlem
, , , ,

Things to do in Haarlem this May

Its now May in Haarlem and there are lots of things to do! On Friday, May 4 is the first instalment of the freedom festival, the memorial concert. On Saturday, May 5 is the freedom concert! The whole of Haarlem turns into a massive music…
Tulip fields
, , , ,

Tulip fields in Holland: where and when to go?

Every year, 2 million tourists come to Holland to see the Tulip fields. Most people will go to Keukenhof, and if you want to make a photo of the background with the fields, you will need to stand in a line. When to see the Tulip fields? The…
flower parade
, , , ,

VIDEO: Bloemencorso Haarlem 2018

Wasn't the flower parade this year in Haarlem lovely? We managed to capture it on video for you. Enjoy!  
doubting
, , ,

What To Do When You Start Doubting Everything.

There you are, in a new country. You decided to live abroad and you made it! Awesome! Then, some weeks go by and suddenly a fear creeps in. Do you start thinking to yourself, “What the heck am I doing here? Is all this hustle even worth…
Vegan
, , , ,

Why Go Vegetarian Or Vegan In Haarlem?

Does the sound of sauteed spinach or roast fennel send your senses into overdrive? Are you concerned about the effect of the meat industry on the environment, or motivated to adopt a vegan lifestyle because of your love for animals? If so, welcome…
, , ,

Genieten—go enjoy yourself!

On a recent trip to Suriname, the only Dutch-speaking country in Latin America, I come to appreciate the word ‘genieten’ (verb). As a foreigner, you often hear this word from the Dutch but I seem to take it for granted because the word itself…
lonely
, , ,

Is social media making us more lonely?

Have you ever felt you can’t wait to get back on your device to check Facebook? Or do you tend to sit on your phone while hanging out with friends? Have you ever sat at a dinner table and been more interested in what’s happening on Twitter…
Pilates
, ,

Ever wondered what is Pilates and how it started?

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 20th century. He was a sickly child, born in 1883 in Germany. He suffered from asthma and acute rheumatism. Later in life, determined to overcome his illness, he developed a movement system called…
summer
, , ,

How to spend summer in Holland and survive?

When I just moved to Holland, my expats' friends told me I would need a summer coat! I was laughing. It's hard to believe but today I have five summer coats and five pairs of leather waterproof sneakers as I can only wear sandals during super…
settle in
, , ,

How to settle in smoothly abroad.

You found your way to the supermarket without taking unplanned detours. Finally, you begin to recognize your neighborhood and you can find your new house without navigation. Your mailbox has your name on it and it’s all starting to feel familiar.…