Articles by

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪

Sarah originally arrived in the Netherlands due to an inability to make her own decisions — she was simply told by her mother to choose the Netherlands for Erasmus. Life here has been challenging (have you heard the language) but brilliant for Sarah, and she loves to write about it. When Sarah is not acting as a safety threat to herself and others (cycling), you can find her sitting in a corner of Leiden with a coffee, trying to sound witty.

Violence, drugs, and bad hygiene: UN describes Dutch reception centre as “downright worrying”

A Dutch refugee registration centre in Ter Apel has found itself making headlines — and it's not...

Mobile phones and SIM cards in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

Moving to the Netherlands offers a number of challenges: from navigating the housing crisis to registering yourself...

I tried Taalthuis’s online Dutch course; here’s why I’ll be returning

Like many internationals in the Netherlands, my life is BUSY. When I'm not in the office, I'm...

Boris Johnson schemed to send spies to raid a Dutch COVID-19 vaccine factory after being “enraged” over EU blockade

Yep, you read that right. It has been claimed by "diplomatic sources" that Boris Johnson considered sending...

Amsterdam wants to get rid of these eyesores: here’s how

Ahhh Amsterdam, beautiful canals, cosy interiors — and tacky tourist shops. The municipality has put their foot...

The Netherlands has SNOW, here’s what we can expect next

Many of us woke up this morning to a light sprinkling of snow outside. Your inner child...

Sustainability, remodelling, and your mortgage in the Netherlands

Let’s be real, sustainability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re trying...

Dutch Quirk #130: Charge hundreds of euros to live in a broom closet

"So, this is the room!" The agent stands awkwardly underneath a sloped ceiling, making way for you...