Discovering the Netherlands: Embracing Exciting Dutch Life as an Expat

Are you curious about Dutch Life?

While the Netherlands is renowned for its tulips, windmills, and bicycles, its horizon stretches much further. The country’s landscape, largely devoid of hills and mountains, invites you to embrace its expansive beauty. With a nation of globally-minded individuals fluent in English, finding a conversation with a stranger over an artistic masterpiece or a historical relic becomes the day’s norm. Living in the Netherlands as an expat, enjoying Dutch life for over a decade, here we spill the tea for you!

Diving into Dutch Life as an Expat

Contemplating a switch from your local brew to a refreshing Dutch Heineken? Or envisioning a peaceful afternoon by a canal-side café? Here’s the insider scoop.

Why Expats Love Dutch Living

High Quality of Life: Picture cycling through tranquil streets, savoring the sweetness of stroopwafels, and accessing a top-notch healthcare system. In the Netherlands, it’s not uncommon for every house to have a bike and many to forgo cars altogether. And remember, children here are practically born on bicycles!

No Language Barrier: Often, a mere attempt at speaking Dutch rewards you with fluent English replies. With children as young as ten mastering English, communication woes are a thing of the past.

Thriving Expat Communities: Whether in Amsterdam or Utrecht, the feeling of “Gezelligheid” (coziness) binds the international community together.

Navigating Challenges as an Expat

Cultural Differences: The Dutch’s refreshing directness might sometimes leave you needing clarification. Their straightforwardness is genuine, though it can take newcomers (like myself, a reserved Korean) some time to decipher.

Cost of Living: While the quality of life is unparalleled, so are the prices—especially if you’re house-hunting in Amsterdam. Seek out the expat community for housing advice and potential leads.

Navigating the Dutch Workspace: Being punctual and proactive in meetings is key. Dutch colleagues value forthright communication, and understanding their work ethic can give you an advantage.

Settling in the Netherlands

What to Expect: From mastering the art of cycling to nailing the pronunciation of “Scheveningen,” settling in varies for everyone. Whether you feel at home upon arrival or after signing a long-term work contract, embrace the journey.

Integration Tips: Dive into “borrels,” festivals, fitness classes, or even school communities if you’re a parent. Finding your tribe helps anchor your Dutch experience.

Demystifying the ‘Inburgering‘ Exam

What is the ‘Inburgering’ Exam and Why you need it: A rite of passage for many expats, this exam assesses your integration into Dutch society if you consider longer residency in the Netherlands, and ‘Inburgering’ is not about mastering the art of the Dutch burger. While self-study is possible, enrolling in a course can offer feedback, camaraderie, and better language proficiency; the subject for this exam includes Knowledge of Dutch society, Speaking, listening, Reading, and Writing (You can find more information about it in DUO), and highly recommend to get a lesson for Reading and Writing. And remember, the sooner you start, the easier it becomes.

Pro Tip: If you’re considering a longer stay in the Netherlands, prioritize learning Dutch. Most locals speak fluent English, and you can manage daily life comfortably without Dutch. However, mastering the language can be essential for visa requirements. Many expats, including myself, share a common sentiment: learning Dutch when you’re new to the country is easier. Once you get accustomed to conversing in English, shifting to Dutch with familiar faces can feel awkward. So, from the start, immerse yourself by speaking Dutch with locals—it’s a surefire way to enhance your language skills!

Truly Embracing the Dutch Life and its Lifestyle

The recipe for success? Immerse, adapt, and always cherish the gezelligheid. Open conversations and shared experiences will ensure your Dutch journey is memorable.

For Further Exploration

Share your thoughts, and contact me if you have any questions! I am here to answer what you want to know and join the community to stay connected as we delve deeper into Dutch life, nuances, and all the delightful quirks in between.

P.S. Read more about the mixed family journey and integration in the Netherlands; click the links!