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repatriation expatNest
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REPATRIATION: Will I ever feel that I belong somewhere?

I love the concept of “Cultureland”. It expresses the essence of the international experience that we expats share, no matter where we are in the world. Today we check in with re-pat Eva Antza, whose exploration of cultural intelligence…
Netherlands to remain in lockdown until at least 9 February inclusiveMartin Sanchez on Unsplash
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Dutch lockdown continues until at least 9 February

On the evening of Tuesday 12 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus would be extended for a further 3 weeks. The previous announcement in December…
kid tantrum cryingroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Unruly kids: is it time to embrace the ‘time out’?

Time out is often used to calm children down. It is a controversial method, with both supporters and opponents. This article includes a description of what the ‘time out’ method entails and the advantages and disadvantages that go along…
Christmas treeroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Feeling blue this festive season?

Some of us, this year more than ever, might be dreading the upcoming festivities. Not being able to travel home to be with loved ones is going to be tough for so many people. While some might be putting a brave face on, determined to decorate…
booksroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Family sagas my grandmother would have loved to read

The recent passing of my grandmother has made me think of how some of my favourite books depict grandparents and family relations. My grandmother passed away on 6 October 2020. Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, I was not able to go…
woman in the light and treesroyalty free (re-use possible without attribution)
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Intensive mothering: the concept fully explained

Have you ever heard of ‘intensive mothering’? It could be a term relevant to all mothers in 2020 – as it has been quite an intensive year, right? Though, it is actually a concept that was introduced in the 1990s. Read on to discover more…
nostalgia old photosroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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A healthy dose of nostalgia

Is there actually such a thing as a healthy dose of nostalgia? Most expats will be familiar with those pangs of nostalgia that can hit at any moment. Being overcome by a nostalgic fog can have both its positives and negatives – it can be triggered…
boss mumroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Juggling family and career: decide on your model

Anyone who wants to get back to work after having a baby will often seek tips from those who have done exactly this before them. What happens to family life when the time comes to rejoin the workforce? How do you approach this juggling act?…
Schools start again in North HollandVeilig Verkeer Nederland
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Schools start again in North Holland

The primary schools will start again on Monday 17 August. This means that many children go to school by bicycle and on foot. Coinciding with the opening of primary schools after the summer break, the Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) (National…
Gerd Altmann ©
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Top tips for last-minute Christmas shopping

Okay so it's December 18th, you could start to panic BUT we would rather you didn't! Whether you are yet to pick up the hottest gadget of the year or you simply need to grab the last few items on that wish list, here are a few stress-busting…
Grote Markt HaarlemFiona McGeever ©
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Life in the Netherlands

90 days in: Life in the Netherlands. Is it time to stick or twist? When I was about one month into my time in the Netherlands, I met up with some other expats.  Those that were here for one year shared with me that the first six months were…
Houtfestival
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Houtfestival: open-air music and dance festival

One of Haarlem’s biggest outdoor fests offers an exotic blend of music. It takes place at the Stadspark de Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem. Houtfestival is a relaxed event where people of all ages and backgrounds come. You can listen to the…
senior
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Turning Your House into a Senior Friendly Home

The Netherlands is well known for its beautiful houses and stunning scenery. And in contrast to many other European cities, it is possible to find many two-or three-story homes with a scenic garden – just perfect for families with…
Sint Maarten
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Sint Maarten's Day

St. Martin's Day or Sint Maarten in Dutch is a popular children's feast day in many parts of the Netherlands and it is celebrated on 11 November.  Typically, in the early winter evening of 11 November, small groups of children can…
missing
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What do you miss the most and what does that say about you.

All of us know the feeling of missing – a loved one (person or pet) who has passed; a best friend who moves to another school; a favorite book, toy or memento forever lost; a garden sanctuary that someone else discovered. For expats,…
Experience Haarlem Fair 2017
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Video and photos Experience Haarlem Fair 2017

We are pleasured to show you the video en photos of the Experience Haarlem Fair 2017. Here is the video of the Experience Haarlem Fair 2017. The video is made by Cherello With. Find the photo album of the Experience Haarlem Fair…
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Experience Haarlem Fair

Speeches, presentations, workshops, exhibitors, kids entertainment, Tierney's Pub Quiz, popular music band The Buccaneers, drinks, meeting people & having fun. Join the largest bilingual fair in the Haarlem area! The program will cover…
elderly
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You should check in on your elderly neighbours

Has the West lost its ability to care for the vulnerable in society? Taking care of our own families is increasingly difficult in the 21st century; especially if some members live abroad and far away from other family members. The UK…
Family
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The Netherlands is voted one of the best countries for raising a family.

InterNations, the world's largest network of expats, conducted a survey in which they rated 43 different aspects of life abroad on a scale of 1-7. Expats scored everything from children's health and safety, to childcare and education. Each…
Interview of the month
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Interview of the month November 2016

Arriving in a new country is such a change, and  how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be a challenge. How can an expat integrate easily? In my goal to support people with confidence and languages, I hear many real-life stories.  Through…
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Interview of the month September 2016

Arriving in a new country is such a change, and  how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be a challenge. How can an expat integrate easily? This month I introduce you to Sukhada Parkhi Interview with Sukhada Original country: India Expat…

Reduce conflict during family vacation

Happy Mother's Day! (Picture: Arianna Ardia)
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Happy Mother's Day!

Moederdag or Mother's Day in the Netherlands is always the second Sunday of May: this year on May 8th. What, how, since when, ideas for Mother's Day, what to write in Dutch on a Mother's Day card. And... a drawing. Download and let your kid(s)…
'Buurman & Buurman'
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'Buurman & Buurman' turns 40!

The Dutch very popular characters, loved by adults and kids, are turning 40. To celebrate Pathé Cinemas are showing an hour long special daily until the 6th April 2016.  For those who do not know what 'Buurman & Buurman' is 'Two…
Bloemencorso
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Bloemencorso 2016 Flower Parade

Hey, did you know that the annual Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek is starting soon? The Flower Parade is a parade of about twenty floats and more than thirty special floats, decorated with an abundance of flowers. The theme for 2016…
Keukenhof Gardens open till May 18th
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Keukenhof Gardens open from today till May 16th

Enjoy the fabulous sea of flowers of Keukenhof Gardens. With 32 hectares and approximately 7 million flower bulbs Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower garden and probably the most beautiful spring park in the world.  Keukenhof Gardens…
Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground, is open
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Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground is open again

Speelparadijs Linnaeushof: the biggest playground of Europe! So close! Linnaeushof is located in Bennebroek, a 15 minute drive from Haarlem and Leiden, just some more from Amsterdam and The Hague.  During the whole season (April till…
Luilak
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Luilak Day

Saturday before Pentecost: little wagons and a lot of noise? Sunday of Pentecost: dirty windows? LUILAK DAY! Luilak, or Lazybones Day, is a youth festival celebrated in Zaandam, Haarlem, Amsterdam and other towns in the western Netherlands.…
4 & 5 May: Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (Photo: Melanie Caitlin)
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4 & 5 May: Remembrance Day and Liberation Day 2015

The Netherlands is unique among the other European countries in having two national ceremony days originating from the Second World War: Remembrance Day – ‘Dodenherdenking’ and Liberation Day – ‘Bevrijdingsdag’. On 4 May there…
Flower Parade
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Flower Parade Bollenstreek 2015

The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, or Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek (Bulbs Area) is one of the most famous parades in the world. More than a million people come to see the beautiful flower praalwagens (floats). The Flower Parade Bollenstreek…