Ellen Ranebo

As someone half Swedish and half Irish who has lived in the Netherlands, the UK, and attended an American School, Ellen is a cocktail of various nationalities. Having had her fair share of bike accidents, near-death experiences involving canals, and miscommunications while living here (Swedish and Dutch have deceptively similar words with very different meanings), she hopes to have (and document) plenty more in future.

Studying in the Netherlands? Here are 9 things you need to set up

So you’ve just arrived on Dutch soil, suitcase in hand, ready to study in the Netherlands. You may have some questions about what to...

7 reasons why wielrenners (lycra bikers) need an intervention 

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s a wielrenner. 🥴 Although, seeing as they’re decked out in skin-tight spandex from head-to-toe,...

Dutch Quirk #129: Bike recklessly — and somehow remain unhurt

Hell hath no fury like a Dutchie atop a bicycle. Ever seen one zigzag, helmetless, through speeding traffic, do a flip in the air...

Btw, turns out public sex in this Amsterdam park is LEGAL 

If you know, you know. And if you don’t know, well… now you do. Since 2008, having sex in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark has been legal,...

Dutch Quirk #69: Use a cryptic symbol to mark someone’s work as correct 

That test you studied your butt off for has finally been returned, and your Dutch teacher has marked your right answers with a…squiggle? A...

Case Studies