Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺

Sam has over six years experience writing about life in the Netherlands and leads the content team at DutchReview. She originally came to the Netherlands to study in 2016 and now holds a BA (Hons.) in Arts, a BA (Hons) in Journalism, and a Masters in Teaching. She loves to write about settling into life in the Netherlands, her city of Utrecht, learning Dutch, and jobs in the Netherlands — and she still can’t jump on the back of a moving bike (she's learning!).

The complete guide to writing a top Sinterklaas poem

There is no Dutch tradition as cherished as the Sinterklaas poem (well, except perhaps Zwarte Piet). But, what is this mysterious sinterklaasgedicht — and how...

Dutch Quirk #35: Put public urinals in the middle of busy streets

Picture this: you're taking a delightful walk through a classic Dutch city, completely mesmerised by the canal houses, when all of a sudden: yep,...

What were the Elfstedentochten really like? Vintage 50s video in full colour inside!

There are some things we wish would make a comeback: flip phones, playing in the street, and of course, the Elfstedentocht. Unfortunately, we can't have...

What language level is the Dutch integration (inburgering) exam in 2025?

You know you need to take the Dutch integration exam — but is the level A2? B1? Something else completely? It’s normal to be...

The one where the cast of Friends tried to speak Dutch (and failed)

It may come as no surprise that the most popular sitcom of the 1990s, Friends, was also a hit in the Netherlands. But did...

Case Studies