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Dutch politicians push to limit the number of international students

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
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Dutch politicians push to limit the number of international students

For the fourth year in a row, Rutte’s VVD party has called for a limit on the number of non-EU/EEA students at Dutch Universities and Hogeschools. And, most parties are actually in favour of this. 😱

For at least the last five years, the start of each academic term at any Dutch university has been marred by overcrowded hallways, split lecture halls, and students frantically trying to secure housing (some winding up in old prisons, containers, and even tents!). A trend that hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

VVD singing the same song 

Parties from across the political spectrum have been deliberating over the subject of international students for years. This past March, the topic of the “internationalisation” of Dutch higher education institutes secured a spot on the ballot.

While most political parties recognise the value of the internationally-oriented Dutch higher education system in their party programmes, many prominent political figures, especially the VVD, are sounding the alarm bells — according to the Financieele Dagblad.

What does this mean? It’s simple: they want to limit the number of international students who can study in the Netherlands. 😐

A rush of international students

Since the beginning of this academic year alone, the number of international students in the Netherlands rose by 4%. This means that 3 in 10 of the freshers are coming from abroad, according to the Dutch universities’ association, VNSU, 

While most international students are from the EU/EEA region, non-EU students now account for 23% of the student population. And it’s these students who may be affected by the Dutch cabinet’s latest appeal. Echt?!

What are the Dutch politicians saying? 

Have you ever been told your presence is destroying the quality of Dutch higher education? It’s awkward, right? Welp, that’s exactly what FvD (Forum for Democracy) MP, Dennis Wiersma, has repeatedly restated. 

He claims that the current system “jeopardises” the quality of education and displaces Dutch students. Additionally, Wiersma has proposed that the type of programmes which international students are applying to should be a deciding factor.

“There are many students who study psychology. We don’t need that,” said the MP. 

Basically, if you’re doing a study that’s popular or could potentially “take the spot” of a Dutchie, he thinks you should stay at home. 🤡   

“Deterring” internationals, prioritising Dutch students

However, Ingrid van Engelshoven, the D66 Education Minister, doesn’t support the idea of a cap. instead, she believes that raising tuition fees and making Dutch lessons mandatory will serve as a more effective “deterrent”, reports Het Parool. 🙄

The VVD’s official site states that their aim for “modernizing” higher education can be achieved by limiting the number of international students per study, giving Dutch students more chances to go to the institution of their choice and attend more lectures in their native tongue.

Why the Netherlands? 

With its comparably low tuition fees, global recognition, competitiveness, and the vast number of English-taught programmes, it’s no wonder that so many international students want to study in the Netherlands! But this heyday may be coming to an end. 😔

While many students from both inside and outside of the EU/EEA zone have chosen to study in the Netherlands for a whole host of reasons, issues like Brexit and the Dutch housing crisis have certainly strained what many consider to be an already exhausted system. 

Do you think any of these measures solve the current crisis in higher education? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! 

Feature Image: Ale_Mi/Depositphotos

Tilburg Insta meet up: photo report

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Tilburg Insta meet up: photo report

If you haven’t visited Tilburg yet, this is your sign to go! Located in the southern province of North Brabant, this city is constantly evolving and is the perfect place to go for anyone who wants to experience the Netherlands beyond those go-to day trips in the Randstad. 

In late October, we teamed up with some awesome photographers (who also happen to be our friends and frequent contributors to our Instagram feed) for an InstaMeet where we explored the hidden gem that is Tilburg.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy these photos — while getting a taste of what’s in store for you when you make that long overdue trip. 😉

The Spoorzone

In years gone by, the area surrounding Tilburg Central Station was used as railroad yards for storing and maintaining the NS trains. 🚂 But recently, it has been transformed into one of the it-spots in town.

We made our first stop at Central Station Gourmet Market — home to 16 different and delicious street food concepts (lekker!) — which is located in a repurposed locomotive shed. How innovative!

Lots of lekker food for everyone. Image: Jana Vondráčková/Supplied
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A successful trip with lots of good food and good people! ♥ Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
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Market is also the perfect spot to snapshots for the ‘gram. Image: @exploringtulips/Supplied

The LocHal 

This gorgeous library, located in a converted locomotive hall, was nominated as the best library in the world — and we can definitely see why. 👀

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Look at all this space! You won’t find this in the Randstad! Image: @martijnvandernat.nl/Supplied
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We could be here for days looking for books! Image: @martijnvandernat.nl/Supplied
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Image: @marionstoffels/Supplied

Exploring Tilburg on electric scooters (e-steps)

Without a doubt, the best way to see everything that Tilburg has to offer is by e-step. So bring out your inner rebel, because these green beauties were developed here and are only legal in this city. The vehicles can reach up to  25 kilometres per hour — speedy but still safe — and are, of course, super fun. 😝

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Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

Magical murals 

There’s no such thing as grey and boring walls in Tilburg. Almost every street corner has colourful works of art — and they’re bound to keep you on your toes.🎨

Image: @arden_nl/Supplied

Even the graffiti is gorgeous here! Image: @martijnvandernat.nl/Supplied

De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art 

In addition to cultural hotspots, Tilburg also has its fair share of museums. We admired this gorgeous Anish Kapoor sculpture outside the De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art.  🖼

 Plenty of gorgeous spots for Instagram photos. Image: @exploringtulips/Supplied

Spoorpark 

The Spoorpark is the biggest citizens initiative in the Netherlands. That’s right, it was organised and inspired by the people of Tilburg — and it’s not to be missed. The park’s Kempen Toren offers some of the best views of the city. 😍

Look at the funky architecture! Image: @marionstoffels/Supplied
How creative! Is this still the Netherlands? Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

Doloris rooftop bar 

We ended our adventure with drinks and snacks at the coolest spot in Tilburg — the gorgeous Doloris rooftop bar.

Picture with all of our favourite influencers and photographers! Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Whether you’re a fan of the outdoors, enjoy epic museums, love to frequent hip bars and clubs, or enjoy going to cultural events, Tilburg has it all covered! It’s even home to our favourite theme park, the Efteling! Rollercoaster anyone? 🎢

Have you ever been to Tilburg? If not, where’s the first spot you’ll go? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Hip hop hoera: here’s what the Dutch listened to this year

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Hip hop hoera: here’s what the Dutch listened to this year

Talks about some lekkere liedjes! Like last year, the top five most-streamed artists in the Netherlands are (unsurprisingly) predominantly Dutch.  

As the year comes to a close, millions of people look forward to Spotify Wrapped, Spotify’s personalised breakdown of their streaming history from top artists to most-streamed songs. 

The Dutch have become avid streamers of music and Dutch-language music, particularly Dutch-language hip hop, is at the forefront of the country’s streaming history this year, reports the NOS. 

Dutch rappers like Ronnie Flex and Lil’ Kleine dominate the top five male artists, with the exception of the original YouTube-artist-turned-celebrity Justin Bieber. 

READ MORE | 11 Dutch songs to learn the language (and culture!) 

Although previously unpopular, DJs have been pushing for hip hop on the radios for years, with immense rewards. 🌟

A musical upgrade 🎵

Dutch singer Maan was pleasantly surprised to see her song with Snelle “Blijven Slapen” (stay asleep) was the top-streamed song of 2021 in the Netherlands, as well as being the top five most streamed female artists. 

The Netherlands has a fanatical DJ-music producer scene and Dutch language music is only improving in quality. Dutch producers like Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, and Afrojack are making headlines abroad.

According to FunX DJ Fernando Halman, it’s likely we’ll see Dutch artists collaborating with foreign artists too.

With results like these, Dutch music could be on its way to taking over the world (hopefully not like the VOC 😉). 🌍

What did your Spotify Wrapped look like this year? Tell us in the comments below!

Features Image: Hanny Naibaho/Unsplash

Coronavirus symptoms? PCR test no more, Dutch Health Ministry says

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Coronavirus symptoms? PCR test no more, Dutch Health Ministry says

Feeling under the weather? Sore throat, sniffly nose, or a cough? 😪  Well, as of today, you won’t have to go to the GGD (Municipal Health Service) to get an official PCR test! The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) has announced that, in case of light symptoms, a self-test is just fine. 

If the self-test turns out positive, however, you still have to make an appointment and get properly tested at a GGD location. And, if you want to do a PCR test anyway, you can definitely still get one! Just for that extra added peace of mind. 🧘

So, I don’t have to stay home?

Short answer is: no. Before, the official advice was to make an appointment with the GGD, get a PCR test and stay at home until the results are in. Now, if your self-test is negative, you are allowed to go about your day as usual.

The RIVM expects people to test more regularly if they can just do it at home. Let’s hope it works!

“As of today, the test advice has been adjusted. With mild complaints you can now also opt for a self-test, but you can also still have yourself tested at the GGD. We explain why.”

But, listen up❗

The advice doesn’t apply if you’ve been in direct contact with someone who tested positive. 

Also, if your symptoms persist over several days, the RIVM advises to take another self-test the following day. And, should that stubborn cold refuse to go away after several days (it is flu season after all 🤧), it is recommended to still get a PCR test at the GGD. 

The advice does not apply to high-risk individuals. In this case, even with mild symptoms, an official test is highly recommended. 

We hope you are staying healthy out there! Tell us what you think about this new advice in the comments below!

Feature Image: Sarayutsridee/Depositphotos

5 art poster ideas for your Dutch apartment

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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5 art poster ideas for your Dutch apartment

Is your home feeling a bit drab? Maybe you just moved or need a change in your home’s aesthetic. Putting up some cool posters or wall art might do just the trick! 🖼

Coming up with ideas to decorate your walls can be tough, and it can be hard to make your space look like it came out of a Pinterest board. But we’re here to give a list of cool poster prints ideas to decorate your walls to perfection. 

Let’s get into it! 🤗

1. Artsy stuff

Maybe you’re a lover of all things elegant and refined. In that case, you should check out some wall art to put on your walls! 

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A piece of fine art can make your home extra classy. Image: Alain Basset/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0

If you have a particular artist that you like, see if you can find some work by them and hang them up! Guests will also be able to see exactly what your taste is in art, which can be a great conversation starter. 

Check out art from some of our favourite photographers: Arden Photography, Nora Maria 📸

Even if you don’t have artsy stuff, you can make your room more elegant by simply putting your poster in a frame. That will make things look a lot fancier! ✨

2. Nature

Let’s be honest: having posters or art of nature on your walls is a pretty safe bet to making your place look more adult. It’s also a way to make your home more calming and serene — definitely a good thing after a long workday. 🧘🏼‍♀️

3. Dutch dingen

Of course, living in the Netherlands, it might be nice to have some Nederlands-themed items on your walls. 🌷

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You can’t go wrong with windmills, honestly. Image: borojoint/Depositphotos

Stuff like windmills, tulips, and pretty cows can really bring out the culture of the country in your own home (in case you forget where you live because you’ve been working from home for over a year). 😂 

4. Film posters

You can also throw up posters from your favourite TV series or film on your wall. Whether you love classic Hollywood, modern dramas, etc., there’s bound to be something you like enough to have a home on your walls. 🎬

breakfast-at-tiffanys-movie-poster-woman-in-black-dress-with-long-cigarette
Impress your friends with your film interests. Image: Robert McGinnis/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

5. Customise your own poster!

Not feeling like decorating your home with someone else’s design? Maybe you want to show off your own artistic flair! In that case, you can create your own custom design poster! 👨🏼‍🎨

There are tons of options out there to create your own artwork. Most of the time you just have to have the art digitally uploaded, and then you can send it off to a place to print! 

You can also just take the digital design to a print shop, and they can print out a poster for you. Easy peasy! ✨

It also helps to check out Pinterest or interior design channels on YouTube for more inspiration on decorating your space! 

We hope you now have some good ideas to make your home look awesome! ☺

What designs do you like in your home? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Followtheflow/Depositphotos

Here’s what’s crackin’: The Netherlands wants to end live boiling lobsters and crabs

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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2
Here’s what’s crackin’: The Netherlands wants to end live boiling lobsters and crabs

In a discussion between the Dutch Party for the Animals and the outgoing Minister of Agriculture, Carola Schouten — a motion is introduced to officially ban the live cooking of lobsters and crabs in the Netherlands.

As reported by the NOS, and in a response to the results of a British study which indicates that crabs, octopuses, and lobsters experience pain and stress when placed alive in boiling water, Minister Schouten announced that an EU ban is being looked at.

But until such action, which can take years, is taken at a European level, and while a Dutch motion for a ban has no majority in the house for the time being — Schouten called on restaurants and chef training courses not to be shellfish in their methods. 🦞

The minister urged everyone to focus on alternative cooking methods in light of the study findings. “I want to see how this becomes standard practice in the Netherlands,” said Schouten according to RTL Nieuws.

While there’s currently an official ban on boiling live lobsters in Switzerland and New Zealand, Schouten believes that many restaurants and chefs have already stopped using this practice in the Netherlands says NU.nl.

Animals on display

During the same parliamentary session on the Dutch agricultural budget, the cabinet also discussed a request from several parties which pushed for a ban on reptile trade during fairs.

Despite fears of diseases that can be transmitted through these exchanges and reports of animal abuse of reptiles and other species at fairs, Schouten explained that she can’t ban animal exchanges the fairs follow the current rules. Yet she announced that stronger action against abuses and closing hours will be taken in the future.

What do you think of a possible Dutch ban on live boiling lobsters and crabs? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: vershinin.photo/Depositphotos

Eindhoven has a creepy announcement warning people to keep their distance

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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0
Eindhoven has a creepy announcement warning people to keep their distance

Weird announcements have been disrupting Eindhoven’s shopping district, giving people coronavirus-related advice — and residents are creeped the F out.

The announcements started last Friday when shoppers noticed a preacher-like voice booming through the city centre, telling people to keep social distance.

The omnipresent voice appears to be friendly, but his announcements are so loud that people can hear them through their windows in Dutch as well as in what one resident describes as “stone-cold English.”

So much for a quiet WFH day, eh? 👻

Every 15 minutes

The announcements play every 15 minutes through loudspeakers between the hours of 9:00 to 18:00.

The message is always the same, “To prevent the spread of the virus: keep one and a half meters away from each other. Stick to the basic rules. Only together can we get corona under control.”

“It makes me crazy. It’s like I ended up in a re-education camp,” a local resident tells Omroep Brabandt. Yikes! 😱

Outrage from residents

At least ten complaints have been filed at city hall over the loudness of the speakers. Eindhoven’s municipality has promised to make changes by turning the volume down and beginning the announcements later in the day and ending them earlier in the evening.

What do you think about the Eindhoven announcer? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: toa55/Depositphotos

These are the four BEST (and worst) Dutch cities for expats in 2021

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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These are the four BEST (and worst) Dutch cities for expats in 2021

Four Dutch cities have been ranked in Internations’ Best & Worst Cities for Expats 2021 list! The Hague and Rotterdam stood out from the crowd, while Amsterdam and Maastricht performed, well, poorly.

It’s official: some Dutch cities are better for expats, while others failed to make a splash. The survey conducted in Expat Insider 2021 looks at the quality of life, job opportunities, easiness of making friends, etc., according to Internations.

However, zero Dutch cities made the top ten list this year or in 2020. That’s okay, we know the Netherlands is a super place to live. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Leader of the pack: The Hague (#19)

Coming in in 19th place, and top for the Netherlands is The Hague! The city was well-regarded for its good transportation (ranked #9 for best public transport in the world!), ease of getting around without speaking the language, housing affordability, job opportunities, and work-life balance. 😊

The Hague also takes the 23rd spot in the Getting Settled Index, making it one of the easier spots to put down roots. 🌱

READ MORE | The work-life balance in the Netherlands is the best in the world

Dutch runner-up: Rotterdam (#28)

All work and no play? No way! Rotterdam is the 17th best city in the world for urban work-life balance. The Dutch economy is going strong and career opportunities are plenty!

Rotterdam also ranks #25 for local friendliness. Who said the Dutch were cold?

Middle of the pack: Amsterdam (#31)

Although the Dutch capital came in #31 overall in The Best and Worst Places for Expats, at least it came in 9th place for the best place to have a career, with this Dutch city taking their work-life balance very seriously!

Amsterdam ranked #30 in terms of getting settled, but the housing situation is definitely not the best — as evidenced by its #44 spot in the Finance & Housing Index. 😬

A for effort: Maastricht (#50)

Maastricht, unfortunately, didn’t do so well this year in the rankings, being in the bottom ten for worst cities to live in for expats.

The city takes the #41 spot in the Finance & Housing Index, only doing slightly better than Amsterdam. This means that finding affordable housing and living comfortably is difficult. 💔

Maastricht also took the 42nd spot for the Getting Settled Index. Further their quality of life, and the general happiness level is lower than the other four Dutch cities.

But hey at least we didn’t come in last place, right? Sorry, Rome! You’re still bella! 💘

Top 10 cities for expatsBottom 10 cities for expats
#1 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia#48 New York, USA
#2 Málaga, Spain#49 Moscow, Russia
#3 Dubai, UAE#50 Maastricht, The Netherlands
#4 Sydney, Australia#51 Paris, France
#5 Singapore#52 Cairo, Egypt
#6 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam#53 Tokyo, Japan
#7 Prague, The Czech Republic#54 Istanbul, Turkey
#8 Mexico City, Mexico#55 Johannesburg, South Africa
#9 Basel, Switzerland#56 Milan, Italy
#10 Madrid, Spain#57 Rome, Italy

What did you think of the best and worst Dutch cities to live in 2021? Do you agree with the rankings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: annanahabed/Depositphotos

Netherlands calls in the troops to bolster booster shots and tests

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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2
Netherlands calls in the troops to bolster booster shots and tests

Talk about calling in the big guns (although, thankfully, not literally). The Dutch Ministry of Defense has been asked to help with administering booster vaccines and tests.

And boy, is it about time! The Netherlands currently sits at the very bottom of the ranks in terms of how many people have received their booster. Time for some tough love. 💪

About 750 soldiers will arm themselves with needles or test kits. They’ll be trained by doctors to administer vaccinations in the coming weeks, but from today, will assist with coronavirus tests after the recent wave of infections left test centres overflowing.

If infections worsen, the operation can be scaled up to include 1,500 military personnel, reports the NOS.

A slow start, now a hard push

The military is not the only way the Dutch are jump-starting their (lacking) booster shot campaign. A group of general practitioners are campaigning their plan to vaccinate more than 100,000 immobile people at home before the holidays.

Meanwhile, the GGD (Municipal Health Service) says that the National Acute Care Network (LNAZ), the Red Cross, the National Association of General Practitioners (LHV), healthcare institutions and other umbrella organisations are also stepping in to kick the booster process into gear. Retired general practitioners will also be asked to don their white coats once more.

READ MORE | Weekly update: infections rise slightly, while deaths skyrocket

There are also calls to utilise other resources in the booster campaign. “Once again, the thousands of nurses who work in district nursing could make an important contribution to booster vaccinations,” says Jos de Blok of Buurtzorg Nederland.

Sorely needed

The Netherlands is currently only offering booster shots to select groups: people aged 80 and over, adults living in care facilities, and patient-facing healthcare and social support workers.

Once these groups have received their jabs, other groups will be invited for their next shot. However, with the current COVID-19 crisis the government is facing and the impending holiday season, the government has stepped on the gas to administer booster shots faster, leaving fewer vaccinated people in the hospital.

What do you think about the actions taken to speed up the booster shot process? Is it enough? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Ministry of Defence/CC4.0

Thuisbezorgd finally offering full-time contracts (hoera!)

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
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0
Thuisbezorgd finally offering full-time contracts (hoera!)

Thuisbezorgd is taking a revolutionary step that will certainly (at least hopefully) change the industry: full-time contracts for its employees!

Today one can hardly leave their apartment without getting run over by a sea of frantic cyclists clad in vibrant colours rushing to clock in as many deliveries as humanly possible.

Previously, Thuisbezorgd’s orange (rather patriotic, no?) garbed drivers could work up to 12 hours per week on contract. But in a win for the workers,  employees can now opt for 16, 24, 32, or even 40-hour contracts, reports NU.nl. 

Courier Pandemie!

Since the start of the pandemic, people across the world have grown all the more dependent on the ease of delivery service options. And while the gig economy has transformed our cities and consumption habits, many delivery companies have resisted change.

Governments and food delivery executives have been at legislative odds since America’s gig economy rapidly crept into the EU, with some states outright banning their operations and others demanding basic worker protections or employment contracts. 

Life in any bustling Dutch city today increasingly entails dodging a seemingly endless fleet of delivery food and grocery service employees speeding down the bike lanes, from Thuisbezorgd to Gorillas. 

Thuisbezorgd’s decision this Wednesday is a trailblazing step towards ensuring stable and secure working conditions in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

A future in question 

In addition, this new model also guarantees couriers an hourly salary that exceeds the minimum wage, while also offering employment insurance and social security. 

While the explosion of delivery services has been a disappointment or even a public nuisance for some, for many it has become a staple for its perceived safety and convenience.

What is certain is that these delivery services are not going anywhere. So rather than worrying about the company’s future performance on the stock market, let’s celebrate the expansion of workers’ rights for its many many riders! 💪

How do you feel knowing your next order will be delivered by a happy and protected courier?

Featured Image: Fokkebok/Depositphotos

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