There are many clichรฉs about the Dutch. Some can be damaging, some are downright wrong, and some have a grain of truth to them.
After living here for a year, I have narrowed down the five clichรฉs about Dutchies that are, in most cases, absolutely true. ๐
1. They are super frugal
Ever heard the expression “going Dutch?” While not all dates turn out this way, you’re more likely to end up paying for at least some of your own meals if you date a Dutchie.
However, some people might just see this as being more frugal and less materialistic than other nations.
2. They are obsessed with bikes
Ahh yes, the bicycle is another clichรฉ about the Dutch.
The humble bakfiets โ a common sight on the streets of the Netherlands. Image: DepositPhotos.com
Although not invented by the Dutch (it was German inventor Karl Drais who invented the precursor to the modern bicycle in 1817), this two-wheeled mode of transport is a hallmark of the Netherlands.
Perhaps it’s because it’s so small and flat and, therefore, relatively easy to manoeuvre with two pedals.
It also means that older generations are suddenly much speedier than they’re used to, so keep your wits about you. After all, it’s called an omafiets for a reason!
3. Frank Dutch uncles are a real thing
Ever heard of a Dutch uncle? No, I donโt mean a tall, distant relative called Jan or Matthijs.
This is another stereotype from abroad, which is noticeable if you come from a polite-to-the-point-of-passive-aggressive culture like the UK.
This Dutch uncle won’t hesitate to tell your aunt her outfit looks terrible! Image: DepositPhotos.com
The Dutch are direct, blunt, no-nonsense people. They wonโt pretend to like something just because they think it might offend you.
On the one hand, it can be refreshing, as you will know exactly where you stand โ but it can also come as a bit of a shock.
But be warned, if you are a strict vegan, this stuff is everywhere: from delicious kaassouffles (cheese souffles) to boterhamen (sandwiches), youโd better get used to it because the Dutch put it in pretty much everything.
5. They are ridiculously tall
This is probably the most obviously apparent one of the clichรฉs about the Dutch when you arrive in the Netherlands.
The Dutch are officially the tallest nation in the world โ but we’re still shocked at how tall some people are here.
Many of us come to the Netherlands being average or above average height, but here… we’re dwarfed in comparison to the average Dutch person.
Of course, not all clichรฉs and stereotypes are true, but we’ve found that these five are accurate across the board.
Do you think these clichรฉs about Dutch people are true? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Boring student rooms โ no more! From repurposed churches to matchmaking, the Dutch are rethinking student housing with new out-of-the-box ideas.
The housing crisis has put many students under stress, forcing them into poor living conditions and sometimes even homelessness. The Dutch are now taking the crisis into their own hands with innovative new ideas.
Here are some of our favourites. โ
1. Building mass student rooms from shipping containers
Amsterdam is one of the toughest cities to find housing in. One company managed to build a whole new student campus there in just a few months.
How could they possibly achieve that? By stacking thousands of shipping containers โ just like LEGOs.
The largest shipping container student housing, Keetwonen in Amsterdam, has inspired many more. Image: Tempohousing
And guess what? You can barely tell from the inside that youโre in a shipping container โ the rooms come complete with windows, kitchens, and even balconies, and there’s even a cafe on-site.
While the containers aren’t particularly aesthetic, they’re quick to build, relatively cheap, and can be mass-produced: check, check, check! Theyโre now also in Groningen, Vlaardingen, Enschede, and soon Utrecht.
The shipping container student housing in Amsterdam has everything essential for students in the Netherlands, including bike parking. Image: Tempohousing
2. Matching students in need of homes with elderly people in need of company
Students who need housing meet elderly people who need company โ that’s a pretty genius solution to the housing crisis.
This not only helps ease the student housing crisis but also brings generations in the Netherlands together. Image: DepositPhotos.com
Way back in 2015 when the housing crisis was already a problem, a Deventer nursing home had the idea of promising students free accommodation in return for hanging out with their residents.
Students give 30 hours of volunteer work, including teaching residents how to email and use social media, in exchange for their housing. Clever, right?
3. Transforming abandoned churches into student housing
Instead of tearing down beautiful empty churches, why not convert them into new housing? It could be as close as students get to feeling like living in a castle โ for less than โฌ500 a month.
In Rotterdam, a former church now offers, among soaring ceilings, stained glass, and religious history, over 200 rooms and apartments spread out over six floors. This doesnโt even include the rooftop thatโs perfect for borrels!
Itโs definitely not a traditional way to be housed (or a comfortable one) but we do give them points for creativity.
4. Repurposing empty offices
Office spaces can sit empty for years before a new tenant moves in or theyโre demolished. So why not instead offer it to students to make it their home?
In Delft, a building that sat empty for 10 years is now giving 150 students a year a roof over their heads. From September 2023, the old Phillips headquarters in Eindhoven will also be transformed into student housing.
Converted empty offices can make for pretty amazing and spacious spaces for students. Image: SHS Delft/Supplied
These transformed spaces have individual rooms, shared facilities, and big common rooms to hang out with the neighbours. Plus, it comes with an incredible view over the city if youโre on a top floor!
5. Working as an au pair while studying
Another option that a few students desperate for housing is to work part-time as an au pair. University studentsโ flexible schedules can be a perfect fit for families needing an extra set of hands.
Working as an au pair or pet-sitting can be a fun adventure to secure housing in the Netherlands. Image: DepositPhotos.com
In return for taking care of the children and picking them up from school, students usually benefit from a room in the house rent-free.
So, if you like children and manage your time well, this could be your chance to live in a big beautiful Dutch home!
6. โAnti-squattingโ in unused buildings
Get ready for this one โ itโs long been a common housing strategy in the Netherlands to live in a place as an anti-squatter. Theyโve even got a dedicated page on Kamernet!
Anti-squatting (antikraak) means legally living in a building that will be empty for a few months (sometimes years) to prevent squatters from settling in.
itโs antikraak again with 6 other housemates!! and I have my own bathroom ^^ this will be my room! pic.twitter.com/gAQxor25ow
Of course, anti-squatting isnโt a perfect deal. While you get cheap rent, you also sometimes end up getting no heating, poor sanitation, and very little long-term rental security.
Regardless, itโs a roof over your head and can be an opportunity to live in some cool places like office buildings, old schools, or houseboats that are sure to give you plenty of stories to tell your family.
7. Staying at a hotel made for students
Alright, staying at a hotel isnโt a realistic solution for everybody, but there are some in the Netherlands specifically aimed at students โ meaning being more affordable and way more fun.
For example, The Social Hub rents out some rooms for long-term stays and regularly organises social events for its student residents. (Psst, plus if youโre a little lost living on your own for the first time, there are cleaning services and a restaurant right downstairs).
Student hotels provide students not only with housing but also many shared spaces to hit those deadlines. Image: The Social Hub
Even if itโs definitely a bit more pricey than private housing, itโs been a huge help to many international students who constantly face the frustrating โno internationalsโ or โonly Dutchโ in housing ads.
8. Living in laboratories for sustainable housing
If we want to build millions of new apartments to reduce the housing crisis, itโs important that housing is sustainable and resilient in the long run. But to do this well, new materials and systems need to be tested first โ what better way than in real living conditions?
Through DUWO, students can sign up to live in a beautiful wooden studio in Delft which actually acts as a real-life laboratory.ย
Can you believe that these beautiful apartments are research homes for students? Image: The Green Village/Supplied
What does that mean? Basically, researchers stop by once in a while to get feedback and do a few experiments to check if the new innovative ideas are working well. This way, you participate in what the future of student housing might look like!
It currently gives 20 students per year a home, but we would love to see other companies follow their lead!
9. Connecting locals with students for homestays
The response to the housing shortage has mostly been to build new apartments, but what about making efficient use of the already existing homes?
There are organisations catering specifically to matching students with hosts that have extra room and are open to offering guidance to newbies in town.
Hosts with extra rooms all over the Netherlands want to take in students and give them a room. Image: DepositPhotos.com
As a new student in town, wouldnโt it be great to not only have a room secured but simultaneously get insider tips on the best bars and hotspots from your roommate?
This way, students have way more housing options available to them. Plus, what better way to get to know all about how to eat tompouce and all that is a part of Dutch life?
10. Crashing at your university professor’s
Weโre ending this list on a definitely surprising one.
Imagine moving out of your parent’s home and getting all excited about living the student life โ to then you find out that your new roommate is your professor.
Not sure if this one belongs in the ‘creative solutions for student housing’ or times that the ‘Dutch student housing crisis was so bad’ list. Image: DepositPhotos.com
That’s precisely what happened in 2018, when Groningen University asked its staff to house students, especially internationals, until the students could find their own housing.
A spare couch or room can make a huge difference in a studentโs desperate housing search. Unquestionably, itโs not an ideal situation but itโs a place to stay while looking for housing and out-of-the-box problem-solving. And well, it definitely makes for a unique story!
Tips to find student accommodation in the Netherlands
Here are some tips from our readers and fellow students for those looking for housing in the Netherlands. We know finding a place to live can be tough, but you can do it!
Start your search at least three months earlyย
Talk to people and ask friends to find out about vacant rooms
Beware of scams โ if something feels off, it probably is
Consider living further away from the city centre and commuting by trainย
Be open-minded โ surprising solutions like these make for unforgettable experiences
What do you think about these solutions to the Dutch housing crisis? Tell us in the comments below!
Pack your bags and look both ways before crossing: the Netherlands has been crowned the safest country in the world to travel to in 2026. Sorry, Iceland. (Not really.)
The title comes from the latest ranking by US travel insurer Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), which has been compiling lists of the world’s safest places since 2018.
Last year, the Netherlands shuffled in at 14th. This year? First place. Someone get the tompouce out.
Booting Iceland from the top
Last year’s winner, Iceland, lost its crown by less than one point and slipped to fourth place. Somewhere in Reykjavik, someone is demanding a recount.
Meanwhile, Australia held on to second, and newcomer Austria went straight in at third.
Here’s this year’s top 10:
The Netherlands
Australia
Austria
Iceland
Canada
New Zealand
United Arab Emirates
Switzerland
Japan
Ireland
As for the neighbours, Belgium came 11th and the UK 14th. Germany, seventh last year, didn’t make this year’s top 15 at all. Not that anyone here is gloating. Much.
So what makes the Netherlands so safe?
According to BHTP, the Netherlands is a peace-loving place, and the independent rankings it draws on back that up. The Netherlands came 17th out of 163 countries in the 2026 Global Peace Index.
And The Hague is currently among the 10 safest cities in the world on Numbeo’s safety index, with Eindhoven not far behind.
The American travellers surveyed by BHTP agreed. They gave the country near-top marks for health measures and overall safety, as well as safety for women, LGBTQIA+ travellers and travellers of colour.
The report also ranks countries on these individual safety categories, and the Netherlands collected quite a few medals:
Safety for women, LGBTQIA+ travellers and travellers of colour: first place
Safety from terrorism: second place, behind Australia
Health measures: second, behind Australia again (fine, Australia, we see you)
Transport safety: sixth, with Japan and its bullet trains taking the top spot
Safety from violent crime: eighth, with Japan winning again (show-offs)
The real danger? Bicycles
Every country on the list comes with a “what to watch out for” warning. Australia’s is strict customs rules. Iceland’s is volcanoes.
BHTP warns visitors that bike paths cross pedestrian walkways, so you’ll need to look both ways before crossing. Locals would add: then look again, and maybe once more for luck.
The report also flags young cyclists on speedy e-bikes. If you’ve ever heard the ominous hum of a fatbike coming up behind you, you know exactly what they mean.
Take it with a pinch of hagelslag
Before we all get too smug and start printing t-shirts, it’s worth knowing how the ranking works.
BHTP surveys American travellers about countries they’ve visited in the last five years. It then blends those ratings with data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo and GeoSure, plus past results.
In other words, it’s partly a measure of how safe people feel when visiting, and those people are American tourists. BHTP itself points out that the results reflect a moment in time.
Still, first place is first place. We’ll take it, and we’ll keep looking both ways on the fietspad.
Do you feel safe living in the Netherlands, or have you had one too many near-misses with a fatbike? Tell us your story in the comments!
When my husband and I were first presented with the opportunity to live in The Hague, we didn’t really know what to expect. We were super excited to have a new experience, but also full of uncertainty.
When our moving date came around, we hopped on a plane from Madrid to Schiphol with our one-year-old (in case you were wondering, it is super fun flying with a toddler… not!) and never looked back.
Some things surprised us; some things even shocked us โ but we ended up getting used to them all.
Either way, enjoy this list of things that caught us off guard when we first came to the Netherlands. ๐
1. If the sun is out, everyone is out
On a sunny day, the terraces will usually be packed. Image: DepositPhotos.com
It rains a lot in the Netherlands; that’s not exactly a secret. Dutchies are used to practically living in rain boots and can cycle through a storm without batting an eyelash.
However, when it’s finally sunny, you’ll see flocks of people catching some rays at the park, the beach, the cafรฉ terraces, or in even simple chairs outside their front door.
You’ll find them leaning back, faces up, and soaking up the golden rays like there is no tomorrow.
I guess it’s true that you never really appreciate something until you know you can’t have it often.
It’s also highly likely that you’ll see me sporting my winter coat (maybe without a scarf) while all the locals are already wearing T-shirts and sandals (sometimes with socks). ๐
I mean, everyone knows cycling is the most common way of transportation in the land of cheese and windmills, but you never realise how many bikes there truly are until you get here.
Need to cross a street? Better watch out for bikes coming at you from every direction, even if there is no bike lane, even if you are on the sidewalk, minding your own business.
Now try pushing a stroller through that. It’s not easy. ๐
3. Stairs (that sums it up!)
Many Dutch houses come fitted with extremely steep stairs. Image: DutchReview/Supplied.
Aw, Dutch colonial revival architecture, how pretty!
Yes, the buildings are super nice to look at; combine them with the endless canals and cute bridges, and the landscape is complete.
The catch to all this beauty becomes apparent when you open the first door and look up to some really (I mean REALLY) steep and narrow stairs.
Again, carrying the stroller up while holding my childโs hands seems like an impossible mission.
Needless to say, when we were apartment-hunting, our number one item on the wish list was a liftโฆ and let me tell you, it was not easy finding it.
4. Speak English? You are good to go!
Dutch? Nah, you don’t need her. ๐ Image: Magnific
Before moving here, we knew we’d have to make most of our communication work in English.
After all, if you are unsure how much time you will spend in a new country, it is unlikely you will dive headfirst into learning a new language.
To say that Dutch is not a particularly easy language to learn is the understatement of the year, so we were beyond pleased to learn that English proficiency in the Netherlands is the best in the world.
This is obviously great for all the expats living and enjoying this life in the lowlands.
Whether you need to step out of the house to run some errands or to take a walk, the beauty you encounter on almost every corner is not one to go unnoticed.
The couple of swans in the canal on your way to get coffee or the peace you feel when you take your little one to the park is truly remarkable.
Most places look like they came from a fairytale; I mean, have you ever strolled around the Peace Palace in The Hague?
All kidding aside, the Netherlands is a great place to be, even if some things may surprise you at first.
After a little over a year of living in such a cool expat city, I can say we officially call The Hague home โ at least for now.
Are you an expat in the Netherlands? What has surprised you about life here?
After sitting out the 2026 contest, the Netherlands will compete at the Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria next May, with the NPO taking charge of the Dutch entry instead of AVROTROS.
The NPO confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon, NOS reports. The semi-finals are set for May 11 and 13, with the grand final on May 15, and you can watch it all on NPO 1 or stream it on NPO Start.
Who’s choosing the Dutch act this time?
For years, AVROTROS was the broadcaster behind the Dutch Eurovision entry. That’s now changed: the entry will be a joint project of the Dutch public broadcasters, coordinated by the NPO.
A quick explainer for newcomers: the Netherlands doesn’t have one single public broadcaster. Instead, the NPO works as an umbrella organisation for a group of omroepen (broadcasters), and AVROTROS is one of them.
The NPO is now putting together a team that will select the artist and guide them through the process. Who will represent the Netherlands (or, as the Dutch call the contest, the Songfestival) will be announced later.
NOS, the Dutch public news broadcaster, will handle the previews, the live coverage of all three shows, and the commentary. According to the NPO, this fits the NOS’s legal duty to report on major (international) events.
Why the NPO wants back in
After AVROTROS stepped away, the NPO held talks with the EBU (European Broadcasting Union), the organisation that runs Eurovision. Together, they agreed to put the contest’s original purpose back in the spotlight, according to NPO board chair Jet de Ranitz.
That purpose dates back to the years after the Second World War, when Eurovision was created to bring people across Europe together.
De Ranitz acknowledged that taking part stirs up mixed feelings in the Netherlands. The NPO has firmly asked the EBU to make that sense of connection a key part of the event again, given the current climate of war, geopolitical unrest and polarisation, NOS reports.
“We’re looking for that connection again, by paying attention to what’s happening in the world and making room to talk about it,” De Ranitz said. “To help shape that course, we want to be part of the Eurovision Song Contest again as the Dutch public broadcaster.”
Why did AVROTROS pull out?
AVROTROS announced last month that it would no longer take responsibility for the Dutch entry. The broadcaster said the contest had lost its neutral character because one participating country, Israel, is still involved in a major military conflict.
It pointed to the severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza and continuing attacks on press freedom. In the broadcaster’s view, these issues have made the contest more and more divisive in recent years.
It’s the second year in a row that AVROTROS has walked away. The broadcaster also skipped the 2026 edition after it became clear the EBU would not exclude Israel.
AVROTROS has confirmed it won’t be part of the new team. “We said goodbye to Eurovision three weeks ago after a careful ethical decision based on our own values,” the broadcaster said. “It’s now up to the other public broadcasters to make their own decision.”
Will be interesting to see which artists will line-up for this edition we reckon!
Not every country is coming back
The Netherlands wasn’t the only country missing from the 2026 contest. Slovenia, Spain, Iceland and Ireland also decided not to send an artist.
Ireland has already said it will stay away again in 2027. In Spain, public broadcaster RTVE is considering another boycott.
Are you happy to see the Netherlands back on the Eurovision stage, or should the Dutch have stayed home? Tell us what you think in the comments!
From Monday, September 28, budget rail operator GoVolta is extending its coverage within the Netherlands, with each domestic ticket costing a flat โฌ10.
Sick of the NSโ exorbitant ticket prices? Well, thereโs competition chugging down the tracks, with GoVolta soon extending their coverage to various stops within the Netherlands.
Domestic stops are coming
When the company first registered its routes with the ACM (the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets) in 2023, they initially ruled out selling domestic tickets.
However, on July 28 of this year, the rail operator filed an update with the ACM to scrap that restriction, announcing โplans to offer domestic passenger rail transport on the Dutch part of its connectionsโ.
In other words, commuters within the Netherlands will soon be able to use GoVolta โfor domestic routes between the Dutch stopsโ. These include stops at:
Amsterdam Centraal,
Hilversum,
Amersfoort,
Apeldoorn,
Deventer,
and Hengelo.
Okรฉ, but why the change? Well, the company’s early experience with the Berlin route indicated that there were plenty of empty seats between Dutch stations, reports Treinreiziger.
This latest update is a bid to fill those seats. (And, if rush hour commutes have anything to say about it, that won’t be much of a challenge!)
More trains to Germany and France, with coverage to Luxembourg also on the agenda. Image: GoVolta
More GoVolta routes get the green light
In a similar ACM update, “access to the railway infrastructure” may be granted for GoVolta to run even more routes. These include train services along the following:
The Hague Central to Luxembourg (and Strasbourg),
The Hague Central to Cologne,
and Amsterdam Central to Paris via the high-speed line.
Should everything run full steam ahead, we could expect a launch date of December 12, 2027 for the Hague-Luxembourg-Strasbourg and Hague-Cologne routes.
However, before you rush to book seats, approval isn’t a guarantee. GoVolta still has to request track capacity from ProRail, which manages the Dutch rail network, and local trains will still get priority if track space is limited.
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Iโve lived in the Netherlands for years, and I can finally say something I never thought Iโd say: I speak fluent Dutch.
And no, I didnโt grow up speaking it. Iโm Australian, and if thereโs one thing Australians are notoriously bad at, itโs learning languages.
When you grow up in Australia, you can get through pretty much your entire life speaking English. So when I moved to the Netherlands, a land that houses the best non-native English-speakers in the world, learning Dutch felt like something I should do, rather than something I necessarily had to do.
Which made it incredibly easy to put off.
Then suddenly, youโve been here for five years and your Dutch crashes out speaking to the cashier at Albert Heijn.
Eventually, I decided I was done with just living in the Netherlands. I wanted to actually feel like I was part of it.
So I started taking Dutch lessons with Taalthuis. And I kept going.
A few courses later, I had gone from an A2 certificate to speaking Dutch confidently โ and eventually all the way to C1.
So, having actually gone through the process, hereโs why I think you should learn Dutch too โ and why Taalthuis worked so well for me.
You can learn Dutch from your sofa (or in a classroom)
Who says you can only become fluent in a physical classroom? Image: Magnific
One of the first things I loved about Taalthuis is that you donโt have to completely reorganise your life around learning Dutch.
There are lessons in 10 locations across the Netherlands, so you can learn face-to-face with fellow Dutch-learning internationals. Or you can take your lessons online.
And yes, by online I mean you can sit on your sofa in your pyjamas and learn Dutch. I have done exactly this. Multiple times. Iโve even logged on from Australia (in the middle of the night), Hong Kong, Canada, Italy, and anywhere else I was in the world.
The online lessons donโt feel like a lesser version of the in-person experience. You still have your teacher, your classmates and plenty of opportunities to speak (thank god for breakout rooms!) โ just without having to cycle through the rain to get there.
The CEFR language levels go from A1 and A2 (beginner), through B1 and B2 (intermediate), and then to C1 and C2 (advanced).
Image: DutchReview
Unlike other Dutch schools, at Taalthuis, you can choose to go all the way to C1 level.
At C1, youโre not just getting by in the supermarket or understanding what your gemeente is asking you to do. You can understand complex language and express yourself confidently in professional, academic and social situations.
Thatโs the difference between being able to survive in Dutch and being able to live your life in Dutch.
I started my Taalthuis journey with an A2 certificate from another school, thinking Iโd give B1 a go. Then I kept going. And going.
Somewhere along the way, Dutch stopped being something I was studying and became something I could actually use.
This is how I actually became comfortable speaking Dutch
This is probably my favourite thing about Taalthuis.
Language learning can very easily become an exercise in memorising vocabulary and completing worksheets. You learn a grammar rule, do 15 exercises about it, and then immediately forget how to use it the moment a Dutch person speaks to you.
At Taalthuis, theyโve got 20 years of experience, so this school knows what itโs doing. The lessons are built around reading, writing, listening and speaking โ because, naturally, becoming fluent requires all four.
At the higher levels, classes are typically designed around a longer Dutch text that you read as homework. The text introduces new vocabulary and grammar constructions, which you then practise throughout the week.
Youโll read. Youโll write. Youโll listen. And, most importantly, youโll speak. A lot.
One of my favourite parts was the speaking challenges. Often, Iโd have to go out and actually speak to a Dutch person about a particular topic. This pushed me beyond the safe little bubble of my Dutch lessons and made me use the language in the real world.
The teachers pushed me when I needed it
Sometimes, you really need that final push from your teacher. Image: Magnific
Thereโs another thing that makes a huge difference when youโre learning a language: your teacher.
A good Dutch teacher doesnโt just know Dutch. They know how to teach Dutch to people who donโt already speak Dutch.
Taalthuis works with professionally trained, certified NT2 teachers. NT2 is the teaching field specifically focused on Dutch as a second language.
When youโre struggling with a grammar rule for what feels like the 47th time, you need a teacher who can explain it in a different way rather than simply repeating the same explanation louder.
The learning materials are made for people learning Dutch as a second language
For the beginner and intermediate levels, Taalthuis creates its own learning materials, including its own textbooks and teaching methods.
Thereโs also an e-learning platform with additional exercises and materials, giving you somewhere to practise between lessons.
For the higher levels, Taalthuis uses the โNederlands in gangโ series, giving students a structured route as they progress towards more advanced Dutch.
Learning Dutch gives you more than just another language
Iโll be honest: when I first started learning Dutch, I mostly wanted to understand what people were saying, stop panicking when someone spoke to me unexpectedly, and deal with boring administrative things without immediately reaching for Google Translate.
But somewhere along the way, it became about much more than that.
Speaking Dutch has made me feel more connected to the Netherlands.
Speaking Dutch will further connect you to the Netherlands. Image: Magnific
You can have conversations with your neighbours, make Dutch friends, understand more of the jokes and culture around you, and open up opportunities at work.
And then there are the little moments. When you understand a conversation happening next to you. When you make a joke in Dutch and someone actually laughs. When you realise youโve just spent ten minutes speaking Dutch without thinking about the fact that youโre speaking Dutch.
That feeling is so satisfying and makes you feel way better than what you can buy in the coffeeshops.
So, should you finally learn Dutch?
Look, Iโm not going to pretend learning Dutch is easy.
There will be moments when you wonder why one tiny country needs de, het, irregular verbs, separable verbs and approximately 17 different ways of saying that something is โquite niceโ.
There will be days when you understand absolutely nothing. And there will definitely be a Dutch person who hears you speaking Dutch and immediately switches to English.
But keep going.
Because I learned fluent Dutch with Taalthuis, and I can honestly say that the effort was worth it.
If youโre sitting there thinking โI really should learn Dutchโ but youโve been saying that for the last five years, take it from someone who knows how easy it is to keep putting it off:
Just start.
You donโt have to be fluent tomorrow.
You just have to get past โMag ik een koffie, alstublieft?โ
Taalthuis can help you get there โ and, if you stick with it, take you much further.
Have you been putting off learning Dutch? Or are you already somewhere on your Dutch-learning journey? Let us know in the comments!
Warren Gregory, also known as Flowerbike man, has lived in Amsterdam with his wife Michelle since 2018. Since his arrival, he has been decorating the city with his beautiful flowerbikes. Now, he is being told to leave.
According to Het Parool, Gregory was arrested for an unknown reason on August 5. He was then taken to Ter Apel when it was found he didn’t have the correct residence permit.
Why wasn’t it correct? Because Gregory and his wife live on a houseboat and don’t have an official home address.
Suddenly, the man who was heralded as a “real Amsterdammer” during the city’s 750th anniversary found himself in trouble with the IND.
Must leave the country by October 6
While Gregory is no longer being held in Ter Apel, he has been told that he and Michelle must leave and return to Florida by October 6.
Speaking with at5.nl, Gregory says that he feels “sad, ashamed, and [that] I failed. I wasn’t able to provide, and that hurts.”
Gregory’s flowerbikes have become a well known sight in the Dutch capital. Image: Dreamstime
He tells the outlet that all the work he has done throughout his time here was above board, the issue was that lack of a registered address โ a pain that many internationals have dealt with when trying to find accommodation here.
“I could never afford to have a registered address. I have a social security number, a bank account, and all the work I have done is registered. None of it was undeclared; everything was documented,” he says.
According to at5.nl, this lack of official address along with the fact that he once failed to report to the IND and had a break between his residence permits, was enough for the IND to boot him out of the country.
However, he isn’t painting the IND as purely evil. “They gave me time and again to get my affairs in order. I can’t really say anything bad about it, because you can look at it from two sides.”
He mostly worries for his wife, Michelle, who suffers from sever epilepsy. Once they return to the US, they are at the mercy of the US health system.
As he tells at5.nl, “Healthcare in the Netherlands is much better than in the United States.”
But Amsterdammers want him to stay
While the IND may be telling Warren Gregory to go, many Amsterdammers are petitioning for him to stay. A current petition already has nearly 800 signatures.
According to Gregory, Flowerbike Man will stay. “He dies here,” he says. “Warren is going to go back to Florida with his wife and be happy.”
If you would like to sign the petition, you can find it here.
Analysis by Greenpeace has revealed that the amount of PFAS (also known as forever chemicals) in North and South Holland’s tap water is at an unacceptable level.
What counts as unacceptable? According to the RIVM, anything above 4.4 nanograms of PFAS per litre of water.
And just how much was found in our tap water? Well, in places like IJmuiden and Zaandam, that number is as high as 14.2 nanograms.
Wait, what are PFAS?
PFAS are a number of manmade chemicals that are very difficult to breakdown, hence the name “forever chemicals.”
They’re often used to make surfaces grease and waterproof, which means they’re found in a lot of everyday items such as your raincoat or your non-stick cookware.
The unfortunate thing is, they’re associated with health problems, such as increased risk of cancer.
Now, it’s important to know that in Europe, the legal maximum amount of PFAS is actually 100 nanograms per litre.
However, according to the RIVM, this number should actually be lowered to 4.4 nanograms per litre. It’s the typical health expert versus politician problem.
Although, to be fair, Dutch politicians agree with the RIVM that the amount of PFAs in Dutch drinking water should be lowered. Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Vincent Karremans, tells Nu.nl that he is working to tackle PFAS pollution.
So, just how much am I drinking?
If you live in North or South Holland, we can at least say we’ve won something. It’s just not a good trophy.
In North Holland, tap water in Amsterdam contains 9.3 nanograms of PFAS per litre. Around Alkmaar and Den Helder, it rises to 11.6 nanograms of PFAS per litre, according to Nu.nl.
Meanwhile, in South Holland, the numbers are slightly lower with the Rijnmond region has tap water containing 6.6 nanograms of PFAS per litre. Living around The Hague? Then you’re ingesting 8.3 to 8.7 nanograms of PFAS per litre.
But the tap water is safe to drink
While this may sound alarming, Greenpeace and the RIVM emphasise that the tap water is still safe to drink.
“It is not dangerous to drink that water,” an RIVM spokesperson tells Nu.nl. “You do see health effects, but that also depends on the level of exposure, age, overall health, and how much other PFAS you ingest.”
In fact, if you really want to worry about PFAS, then you should really look at the food you’re eating and the packaging you’re using. According to the RIVM, people ingest three times as much PFAS through their food than through drinking tap water.
So yes, don’t worry too much about the tap water, you have bigger problems.
Is it your first visit to the Netherlands? Or you’ve just moved here? Either way, here are some things that you might find both shocking and charming!
There’s nothing like a good love-hate relationship. So, let’s talk about it. ๐
1. Whirring bicycles from all directions
At first, I didn’t realise what exactly it was: love or hate. And then it hit me. No, literally โ I was hit by a cyclist. ๐ฒ
My friends from the Netherlands told me that when you’re an international in Amsterdam (and throughout the entire country), the chances of being in an accident involving a bicycle are considerably high.
You always hear that Dutch people like to bike their way to… well, everywhere, but still you are never prepared for the chaos of so many cyclists going in so many directions.
You’re used to watching out for the cars on the road, but something might just come and hit you from the other side. Bike paths are equally as important (and scary) as roads in the Netherlands! ๐
On my first visit to the Netherlands, I was impressed by the cycling skills of the Dutch and thought it must be great to travel safely by bike.
At the same time, though, I felt extremely annoyed because I wasn’t yet used to how organised everything was. I was under the impression that bikes keep coming randomly from all over the place to mess with my mind. ๐คช
2. Ah, the Dutch weather!
Rain, rain and… of course, rain. Unpredictable and constantly shifting from crazy wind to rain to snow and some sun here and there if we’re lucky. That’s the Netherlands for you. Even the Dutchies complain about it all the time as well!
In Romania, the temperature can drop to -24 degrees Celsius in cold winters, but I never felt as frozen as during my first visit to the Dutch kingdom. ๐ฅถ
I’m used to the rain; we have it in our country, and it’s almost always present in the UK. But that wind in the Netherlands is something that enters your soul and doesn’t leave till you’re safe and sound inside. ๐จ
The weather in the Netherlands is less than ideal, with constant wind and rain. Image: DepositPhotos.com
Oh, but when you manage to catch a beautiful, sunny day, everything changes.
Life is better, coffee is sweeter, cyclists are your new best friends, and the sights are breathtaking: canals, charming houses, world-famous museums, lively art galleries, and colourful markets.
3. Dutch people’s directness
Speaking your mind is something that I value. But filtering is another action I’m fond of. If you have ever dealt with Dutch people, you’ll most likely want to tell them to filter their thoughts before they speak.
But Dutchies will never fail to tell you exactly what they think or feel. Their directness is something that may truly shock you at first.
Their genuine straightforwardness is something that might first appear as being rude, too honest, just too much. ๐ค
One piece of advice that I think will come in handy is to make sure you are good at standing up for yourself. Otherwise, you can easily become the victim in a conflict.
Over time, you learn to live with this, and sometimes, when you donโt get their blunt opinion on something, you may even start wondering whatโs wrong. ๐คทโโ๏ธ
What are your favourite and least favourite parts about living in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below! ๐ฌ
