Lifestyle: Living, Leisure, Work and Wellness

novels
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3 novels from around the world.

When I moved to Haarlem in 2013, one of my biggest goals was to make local friends. I wanted my life to be Dutch and for a period I avoided things I considered not to be Dutch enough like meeting with expats or watching tv in English or Spanish.…
taalthuis
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Taalthuis - Learn Dutch in Haarlem

At Taalthuis you can follow Dutch Language courses at different levels. Their aim is to make learning a fun experience! Founded in 2006 Taalthuis now is a well-known language institute in the Netherlands for higher educated students. With lesson…
padel club
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Haarlem Talks with Marc from Barcelona.

Meet Marc from Barcelona, Spain. He is half Dutch so he already feels at home in the Netherlands. He enjoys cycling and playing padel, he owns his own Padel Club. He loves to cycle to Aerdenhout from Haarlem, his advice for new expats is to…
Museum Haarlem
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A Visit to the Museum Haarlem

Located in the southern area of the city centre, the Museum Haarlem welcomes its visitors. It may not be as famous as the neighbouring Frans Hals Museum but it surely has its charms and a good mixture of permanent and temporary expositions. The…
birth
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My story of my second birth in a Dutch Hospital.

It is approximately 22:30 hours and I am shifting and turning and nursing painful cramps. I am 9 months pregnant. It is the 7th of July 2014. Is it labour pains already!? His due date (uitgerekend) is 16th July but the planned c-section (keizersnede)…
Hofje
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Dutch History; Haarlem the home of the Hofjes

A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded and served as a form of social security. Hofjes…
Maasvlakte beach
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Maasvlakte Beach, a paradise of its own

Every summer, our little family would venture outside Rotterdam to go the beach since we are usually holed up in a nearby campsite in Oostvorne. Just a few minutes drive along the Maasvlakte 2, a massive extension of the Europoort Port…
internet safety guide
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The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women

Have you ever been harassed in the street? Received a crass message on a dating app? Have a coworker make a comment about your appearance that just didn’t sit right? You’re not alone. With the #MeToo movement, it’s easy to log…
travel
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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…
30% ruling
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Dutch Government is Hurting Expat Families and Losing Their Trust

The story I am about to tell you probably sounds familiar. After all, this is the story that so many people in the Netherlands are currently sharing – the story of how the proposed changes to the term limit of the 30% tax rule for current…
Haarlem
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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
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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. …
Haarlem talks
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Haarlem Talks with Lauren.

July is an awesome summer month and we are featuring an amazing American woman who has been living in Haarlem for the past 5 years! Please welcome Lauren from the United States! She moved to Haarlem with her husband in 2013, she is the…
dutch school
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Are you looking for a school for your children?

Are you looking for a school for your children? A Dutch public school may be the answer. When moving to The Netherlands with children, your first plan might be to send your kids to an international school. The curricula are of high quality…
international school haarlem
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The International School Haarlem is opening their secondary school in 2018.

The International School Haarlem (ISH) is opening their secondary school department in September 2018. The demand for international education is greater than the municipality and school boards of IRIS and Solomon originally anticipated. For…
Kweektuin
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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
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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
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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…
Anthony Fokker
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Dutch History; Anthony Fokker, the Haarlem mechanic who changed the face of WWI.

Anthony Fokker, also known as the Flying Dutchman, built his first plane in 1910 and taught himself to fly. During WWI he introduced the gear system that made it possible to fire a machine gun through the propeller arc without hitting the blades. Anthony…
greenjoy
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Get the Most from Haarlem — Rent a Boat at Greenjoy!

As 98% of Dutch people can swim and sailing a boat is an easy task even for a kid. An untrained expat also can manage it after fifteen minutes of shame. If you don't have a driving licence, no worries, it is not required if the boat is less…
road trip
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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
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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
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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…
old men
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Propositioned by older men

He then proceeds to wink at me. The man looks at least 70! This man is as old as the hills. What business does he have winking at young ladies in bars! I am disgusted. Once upon a time, I thought I was ageing before my time. I accept…
motivation
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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…
circus sijm
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An intimate, wonderful world of Circus Sijm

There’s magic in a traditional circus that can’t be topped by any other forms of entertainment. Last weekend, I was able to see one of the few remaining travelling circuses in the Netherlands. The Circus Sijm doesn’t disappoint.…
Haarlem Talks
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Haarlem Talks with Kate D'Anvers

It’s officially summertime! It is so great to sit outside in the evening on the terraces of local bars and restaurants, and the weather makes it very easy for us to meet new people around the city!  Meet Kate D’Anvers who also enjoys the…
Henry Hope
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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…
Circus Sijm
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Circus SIJM is back in Haarlem with expatsHaarlem reader's discount!

Circus SIJM will be performing in HAARLEM from June 13 untill June 24.  Circus SIJM is back on the road in 2018 with a nationwide Big Top tour – “Vive le Cirque” - celebrating the 250th anniversary of the circus. Expect a spectacle…
road trips
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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…