Testimonials

• "I studied German and Dutch at Cambridge University. After graduating I regretted not having spent a great deal of time in the Netherlands and, despite a degree in the language, not having all that much experience with Dutch culture. I had spent my year abroad on the Dutch-German border but was living on the German side, and never really got the chance to practice anything more than simple ‘shop Dutch’ (in Limburg!).

  
  Soon after graduating I accepted a job with a small translation agency in the small picturesque Zuid Holland village of Noordeloos. The locals are all very friendly and, if I’m honest, I wouldn’t say that there are vast differences between Dutch and British culture, certainly nothing that will present a serious hindrance to moving to the Netherlands. I’d certainly encourage anyone thinking of moving here to give it a try, since it’s a fantastic country full of great people."

  Chris Pettett, 2007 Cambridge University graduate

• "Having only studied Dutch as a minor part of my degree, I'd never really considered looking for a job in the Netherlands, but when I heard Tony and Marcel were recruiting I decided to send them my CV. Nine months later, when my contract in Germany ended, I moved to Nijmegen to work for a translation company there! I settled in very quickly, thanks to my brilliant colleagues, though finding accommodation was somewhat problematic. Small, affordable flats that aren't in the middle of nowhere don't seem to exist in the Netherlands, so sharing is a must, though in a big student city like Nijmegen, rooms are rather hard to come by!

  One thing that has surprised me about the Netherlands is the fact that, despite the country being so small, there is so much to do! Nijmegen is full of nice bars, restaurants, dance schools, museums, etc. and even has quite a few festivals, which I'm sure you'd be hard pushed to find in a similar sized city in the UK. And because the country is so small, you can be pretty much anywhere within a couple of hours thanks to the efficient and relatively cheap train (which is another definite advantage over the UK!). Apart from that, I wouldn't say there are any vast differences between British and Dutch culture, apart from the Dutch love of bikes and cats! The Netherlands is a great country with lots of friendly people, so if anyone is thinking of moving over here, I'd definitely recommend it!"

  Alison Copeland, 2007 Nottingham University graduate

• "The first things that struck me here were the wide cycle paths on either side of one-way streets, the lack of litter (except maybe in Amsterdam), the large pedestrian areas, the fact that the shops put down their shutters on the dot of six p.m. and everyone leaves the office at the same time, bicycles carrying a baby at the front and a toddler at the back, the lack of helmets (on bikes or scooters), lots of shops with organic produce, different layouts of houses (e.g. shower off the kitchen or bedrooms downstairs and living room and kitchen upstairs), the reliable and inexpensive train service, the fact that all shops and cafes, etc. close on Sundays (except in Amsterdam). Then, of course, the pancake-flat landscape is very striking, as is the amount of canals.

  I haven't encountered any major problems regarding administrative matters and Engels and Partners very kindly helped me find accommodation and furniture, etc. Applying for a "sofinummer" was a bit of a Catch-22, as I needed a signed rental contract from my landlord, and in order to have my rental contract signed, I needed a bank account, and in order to open a bank account, I needed a sofinummer! Luckily, my landlord understood the situation, so it all worked out in the end.

  What I've noticed most about life here is that work and social/family life seem to be kept completely separate. Also, most people I've met seem to have a particular hobby, e.g. rock climbing, acting, cycling in the woods. My advice to newcomers in the Netherlands is to find a new interest or pick up an old hobby or sport. I'm finding it difficult to meet people here, as my main hobbies are meeting up with friends for a chat, eating out, clubbing, going to the theatre or the cinema, or solitary activities, such as playing the piano, swimming and reading. Whereas here, I find social events usually centre around a common theme, so I just have to find the right club for me!"

  Orla Sheridan, 2007 Trinity College Dublin graduate