A prestigious American university is eyeing The Hague for a potential European campus, and Donald Trump’s presidency might be the push they need to make it happen.
The city announced this week that it’s in discussions with a renowned US university about opening a branch in The Hague.
However, officials are keeping tight-lipped about which institution is involved.
Is it one of the Ivy Leagues? The suspense is killing us.
Could we have a reason to thank Trump?
According to AD, the timing is no coincidence. Trump’s return to the White House has rattled American academia, particularly his plans to slash scientific research funding.
The president has clashed with several top universities, including Harvard, over their research priorities and budgets.
The EU has already extended an open invitation to American researchers: pack your microscopes and come to Europe. Now, The Hague wants to be their landing pad.
Why The Hague makes sense for an American university
The city isn’t exactly lacking in international credentials. The Hague is already home to 160 international organisations, from the International Criminal Court to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Add in Leiden University’s Campus The Hague and you’ve got a city that’s practically built for global academic collaboration.
While this would be the first major American university presence in the Netherlands, it wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented.
UCLA already operates a small human rights and justice institute called Promise Europe in the city, which opened in 2023.
The Hague also revealed it has “leads” for attracting other international organisations and NGOs, suggesting this could be part of a broader expansion of The Hague’s already considerable international footprint.
The Hague’s international reputation is paying off
This isn’t just wishful thinking on the city’s part.
In September, The Hague reported that an “unparalleled number” of institutions are interested in setting up shop there, while three major European organisations already based in the city are planning significant expansions.
The successful NATO summit in June also boosted the city’s profile as a global meeting place. Now, there’s talk of The Hague playing a larger role in the World Bank’s rule-of-law programme.
The city hasn’t revealed a timeline for when we might learn which university is considering the move, or whether it’ll actually happen.
Which American university do you think is eyeing The Hague? Drop your predictions in the comments.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose wo-” *old record scratching sound*. Wait a minute. This opening line sounds awfully familiar.
That’s right, folks, it’s time for the sequel to ‘What’s in a Dutch name?‘, but this time we’re focusing on women!
As I meet more and more Dutch people, I become more comfortable with being baffled by the pronunciation of Dutch names. I also get more comfortable asking someone to repeat their name.
How to never forget a Dutch name again
When you meet someone new, it’s inevitable that a name is messed up, mispronounced, and most likely — completely forgotten. I know SO many people who are “not good with remembering names.”
I have heard that line so many times that it’s becoming a common personality trait among humans. I wonder which star sign it would fall under?
“Ambitious, open-hearted and good with money, this sign is loved by many. However, a tendency to be selfish, controlling and bad with names also means that this sign leans towards erratic behaviour…”
Star charts aside, here’s a little trick to help you come back from an embarrassing #namefail. Let’s set the scene:
You make eye contact and recognise the face. Yet, you can’t place the name exactly… Susie? Jessica? They’re heading over.
You start to panic…your knees are weak, arms are heavy, but on the surface, you look calm and ready… and then they are right in front of you.
You shake hands, smile pleasantly and then you utter the magic words: “Oh yes! Of course, I remember you! But I just want to check how to pronounce your name again?”
Pronouncing Dutch names
The wonderful thing with classic women’s Dutch names is that a lot of them look deceivingly familiar (just take “Charlotte”), and you might be tempted to say them in ye olde English way.
Often though, the Dutch have a completely different pronunciation — even if the name seems common for English natives.
In this particular instance, Charlotte shakes your hand, smiles back warmly (you’ve remembered her, you’re just verifying the pronunciation, so you’re in the green 😉) and enunciates for you: “/Shar-lot-teh/”.
*Cue to the two of you becoming the best of friends, having sleepovers, and becoming each other’s children’s godparents*
On that heartwarming note, let’s list some other female Dutch names with particularly interesting pronunciations:
Floor
This one was interesting to me, too. Really, the pronunciation is almost exactly the same as in English, with the slight detail that there’s more emphasis on the “R” sound, which the Dutch really love to round out with.
Judith
Another deceptively simple one, the “J” is again changed to be pronounced as a “Y”. Yes, this means that Judy Blume would be “Yoody Blume” to a Dutchie. Charming!
Anna
Almost the same but there’s more emphasis on the first “A”… more of an “Ahhh” sound to begin. Like you’re realising how tricky Dutch names can be and you’re like “Ahhhh (I see).”
Annelieke, Annemiek
Now, this is interesting. It seems that “Anne” can also be the prefix to a name. A bit like in English, although it’s more of a suffix, with names such as Lou-Anne and Mary-Anne respectively…wait, did I just realise that all Dutch names have an English equivalent?
I feel like a tourist who’s just realised that Amsterdam isn’t a country, aka S-M-A-R-T.
Mirjam
Literally sounds the same as “Mariam”, and is probably the Dutch version. Has nothing to do with the actual jam. 😆
Sigrid
This one is just a treat to me. It’s really fun to pronounce. /See-gggg-rid/. A lovely guttural “G” sound makes you feel like you are an echte (There’s that guttural “G” sound again!) Nederlander.
Roos
Rose. “That which we call a Rose by any other name…” Alright, alright. You get the picture. A sweet-smelling and picturesque name.
Like “Marjorie” in English. But also like “marjolien” in Dutch. Which is a herb that I recently found at my local Jumbo (but Google tells me it is the herb, Marjoram in English).
I have literally no idea what Marjoram truly tastes like yet, though. Or what Marjolien will think of this blurb about her name.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but hopefully, the name trick will serve you well.
Did you end up using it? Stuck on a pronunciation for a female Dutch name? Let us know in the comments below!
Wanna learn Dutch, but you’re not sure where to start? Then you’re in luck! Whether you’re looking to move to the Netherlands or you arrived here recently, it’s never too late to learn Dutch fast and easy.
It’s good that you want to learn Nederlands the fast and easy way, so we’ve put together seven tips to get the ball rolling for you (bonus: most of them are free ways to learn Dutch too).
1. Watch Dutch TV with subtitles
It may drive you absolutely crazy listening to Dutch television (there’s nothing worse than listening to a language on TV at first and not understanding a word), but trust me: it works.
If you end up enjoying it, you might just find yourself switching to the Dutch TV industry altogether! Image: Depositphotos
It’s the perfect way to hear a conversation and internalise it as you’re reading the subtitles. In fact, that’s how a lot of children learn other languages (especially English). If they can do it, so can you.
Next time you want to Netflix and chill (or Netflix en chillen), leave out the chill and pop on that Dutch film. Your language skills will thank you for it, even if your partner won’t. 😉
2. Read children’s books
When you’re learning Dutch, you’ll be starting from square one — in the exact same way that a child learns how to read and pronounce words properly through a basic children’s book.
We all did that one day with our own native language, so this is one of the best ways to do the same for Dutch.
One of the most popular Dutch children’s books is Jip en Janneke, known for its simplicity but also cleverly written.
Don’t fret; this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to practise Dutch. It’s also the perfect way to get a bit of bedtime reading in, though it may be a bit awkward at work when someone asks you what books you’ve been reading lately…😬
3. Give it your all, but remember: less is more.
Less really is more when it comes to learning a language. “Binge” learning Dutch fast and in a panic is not necessarily the most effective way of doing it.
Do you remember staying up late trying to absorb every little thing for an exam the next day in a last-minute cram sesh? Was it stressful? Well, the same goes for learning Dutch fast that way.
If you want to learn it properly, it’s going to take time and patience.
A little bit of studying goes a long way. Image: Depositphotos
You’ll need to be passionate enough to learn the language because if you’re not going to give it your all and put in 100% effort when practising, then you aren’t going to learn it quickly, and you aren’t going to learn it properly.
4. Talk to people and pretend you don’t speak English (no, seriously)
We’re all guilty of panicking halfway through a poorly strung-together Dutch sentence and finishing it with “Spreekt u Engels?” or “Sorry, ik spreek Engels“.
Even worse is when you’re speaking okay, but the person you’re talking to switches to English anyway. But now — no more! Let’s take a stand.
Forget that you speak English for a second and persevere. Even say (in Dutch) that you don’t speak English when they switch.
Keep calm and keep speaking in Dutch. Image: Depositphotos
Unless you’re having incredible difficulty or the person is starting to look p**sed off, then do not switch back; you’ll find that your confidence will grow, and your language skills will flourish. Go for it — act natural and pretend you’re Dutch!
5. Find a study buddy and exchange your language knowledge
I’ve often seen this on international Facebook groups, where people are looking for someone to buddy up with in order to practise their Dutch.
For example, if you have a friend who wants to practise their English (or another language you can help with) and they can speak fluent Dutch, then you can ‘exchange’ languages.
Who knows? You might even make a life-long friend using the language buddy system. Image: Depositphotos
It’s simple: You practice on them, and they practice on you (think about cursing in Dutch as well). You can even go on study-buddy dates where one of you will speak one language, and then you’d respond in Dutch, and the conversation will flow that way.
It’s quite funny to watch those who overhear your conversation. Speaking from personal experience, when I was on the train with my friend who sat next to a guy speaking English to another guy, he would just reply in Dutch over and over.
My friend was very confused. It may sound crazy, but it works.
6. Listen to the Dutch radio
If you have a lot of international friends, it can be hard to practise your Dutch because no one is speaking it around you. Our last tip is that you can listen to some good old Dutch music on the radio or streaming service.
You don’t have to sit there, staring blankly at the walls, trying to listen out for every single word, but it might be a nice way to get used to hearing the different pronunciations.
Ask a Dutch person what you should get jamming to, or try having it in the background whilst you do work.
Remember to have fun with it; it’s great that you are broadening your horizons by learning another language. You’ll find way more opportunities in the Netherlands and make a tonne of friends.
Eventually, you might even start to understand the Dutch humour — but that’s a whole other language entirely.
Good luck! Or, as the Dutch say, succes!🤩
What are your top tips for learning Dutch easily? Drop them in the comments below!
A 21-year-old IT employee in the Netherlands just learned the hard way that first impressions really do matter.
The man had only just started his new job on June 1 this year, working for a company that seconded him to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA).
His role was as an IT service employee working remotely.
An awkward introduction
On June 3, only his third day on the job, an awkward moment unfolded during an introduction at the COA. The man refused to shake hands with a female team leader, citing his religious beliefs.
According to RTL Nieuws, the COA later filed a report of gender discrimination against the employee.
Hoping to clear the air, the man responded with an email explaining that he had “acted out of religious conviction” and hadn’t intended to offend or humiliate anyone.
Despite his explanation, his employer terminated his contract that same day, claiming his “performance” didn’t align with company expectations.
Quite a verdict for someone who’d barely logged a full week.
Court steps in
The man took the case to court, and the District Court of The Hague wasn’t impressed by the company’s reasoning. The judge ruled that the dismissal was discriminatory and that it was far too early to assess his performance.
Since the employee was set to work remotely, the court also noted that shaking hands wasn’t exactly in the job description.
In the end, the court awarded the man €34,000 in “fair compensation”, stating that the employer was “particularly responsible” for the discriminatory termination.
Three days on the job, no handshake, and a €34,000 payout. Sometimes, staying true to your beliefs really does pay off.
Do you agree with the court’s ruling, or should the employer have had the final say? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Whether for bureaucratic reasons or to call your best friend back home, sometimes you have to make international calls from the Netherlands. So, what’s the best provider to do this with?
Let’s check out our options and determine which provider offers the best solution for calls beyond Dutch borders.
Good to know: Making calls internationally is not the same as roaming. EU roaming only covers calls made while you’re abroad, like calling home from France during a trip. These are usually included in your regular Dutch mobile plan.
Calling from the Netherlands to another EU country (e.g. from NL to Italy) doesn’t count as roaming — it’s an international call, and your provider will likely charge extra unless you have an international bundle.
What are my options?
Despite the fact that thousands of internationals come to the lowlands each year, finding an affordable option for international calling from the Netherlands can be challenging.
Can you make international calls without breaking the bank? Image: Freepik
Although all the main Dutch providers, such as Vodafone, KPN, and Odido, allow you to make international calls, they often come with high costs or limited coverage.
In fact, many traditional providers may charge up to a whopping €4.50 per minute for an international phone call from the Netherlands.
But there are alternative options. 👇
LEBARA stands out with its international calling bundles
By offering international calling as an add-on to your regular plan, LEBARA caters specifically to those who need to stay connected with loved ones or business contacts abroad — and makes international phone calls possible without breaking the bank.
LEBARA is one of the only providers offering international calls as part of a prepaid or SIM-only bundle — and at the cheapest price available!
Pick your plan duration: Choose the plan duration that works for you, whether it’s a short-term deal or a longer-term commitment.
Select your data bundle: Choose the data allowance that suits your usage, from 1 GB to 45 GB.
Select international calling as an extra: Add international calling to your plan, allowing you to make unlimited calls to 44 countries for just €5 per month.
What’s included?
LEBARA’s international calling bundle covers a whopping 44 countries, 18 of which are outside the European Union.
This extensive coverage ensures that you can reach out to friends and family across the globe. Some of the key countries included in LEBARA’s international bundle are:
The United States,
Canada,
The United Kingdom,
South Africa,
Turkey,
India,
All of the EU.
LEBARA is the clear winner if you’re looking for the best SIM card for international calling from the Netherlands.
With its affordable plans, extensive coverage, and flexible options, LEBARA makes staying connected with loved ones abroad easy and cost-effective. ✨
How often do you make international calls from the Netherlands? Share your experience in the comments!
Okay, so we’re all aware of how Dutchies use the word lekker for everything, but there’s another candidate for most used, untranslatable word: gezellig.
Gezelligheidis an essential part of Dutch culture, and you’ll find that Dutchies love using this word to describe everything under the sun.
What is it?
The word gezellig has no direct translation. It can mean anything from cosy to friendly, comfortable, or even relaxing. How abstract!
You’ll hear it everywhere. Weather can be gezellig (though not likely in NL 😉), someone’s room can be gezellig, and taking a walk can also be gezellig.
There is no limit to what can be considered gezellig in Dutch.
Why do they do it?
The word is derived from the word gezel, which means “companion” or “friend.” Back in the Middle Ages, a gezel was also the Dutch word for a “journeyman.”
From there, the word could have developed from a noun into an adjective or adverb to describe something friendly and cosy, like a good friend. Aww! 💖
Why is it quirky?
It’s used EXCESSIVELY in the Dutch language, and it sounds pretty crazy to someone who isn’t familiar with the tongue.
GEE-ZEL-LEG. You have to say the difficult Dutch “g” twice. 😱
Should you join in?
Ja, zeker! (Yes, of course!) It’s quite an important and frequent word in Dutch, so it will only help you to better integrate if you know what this means.
Plus, the Dutchies can’t get away with switching to English with this word so you might as well know it yourself. 😊
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Two information panels commemorating black American soldiers who helped liberate the Netherlands have been removed from the visitor centre at the American Cemetery in Margraten, Limburg.
The panels highlighted the contributions of “Black Liberators” and their fight against racism within the US military.
NRC reports that these panels may have been removed months ago.
Could this have something to do with Trump?
The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), which oversees the cemetery, tells the NRC that the exhibition material is rotated regularly “so that as many individual stories as possible are featured.”
However, NIOD researcher Kees Ribbens suggests to the NRC that this decision could be linked to policies introduced during the Trump administration.
According to him, the ABMC has been encouraged to step back from promoting diversity and inclusion in its public presentations. “The diversity officer has been sidelined,” he notes.
Community voices concern
The decision to remove the panels has provoked strong criticism within the province.
Eleven parties in the Provincial Council have called the removal “indecent and unacceptable.” Noting that the visitor centre now pays little or no attention to the role of Black American soldiers in the liberation of the country.
Apart from four parties, the Council is urging that the panel be reinstalled. They are also calling for a new, permanent memorial dedicated to Black American liberators.
Limburg’s King Commissioner, Emile Roemer, will soon meet with the US ambassador to request that the panels return to the visitor centre as soon as possible.
The weight of remembrance
A spokesperson for Roemer stresses the significance of the soldiers being recognised.
“Those Black liberators played a crucial role in the liberation of Limburg. There was deep segregation in the army. They fought for a freedom they themselves didn’t have,” says the spokesperson.
Around 12.5% of the American troops were African-American during the Second World War, and 172 are buried at Margraten.
Was the removal of these panels an unfortunate coincidence, or does it reflect a deliberate choice to sideline these stories? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
There are so many Dutch foods you need to try before you die, or at least before you leave the Netherlands.
Despite what you may have heard, Dutch food can be incredibly tasty! From Christmas-themed pepernotento the everyday krentenbol there are so many delicious Dutch foods you just have to try. 😋
1. Poffertjes: the cute version of Dutch pancakes
Think of this Dutch dish as mini pancakes, but puffier. They’re made with yeast and buckwheat flour and are typically served topped with powdered sugar and butter.
But why limit yourself, when whipped cream, syrup and strawberries are also possible toppings? 🍓
Have you tried these tasty delights? Image: Pixabay
These cloud-like bites of heaven can usually be bought from street vendors in the winter.Poffertjes are typically served in mini cardboard boxes, which can be eaten with (of course) mini plastic forks.
It’s all about the small things in life, right? 😉
2. Bitterballen: one of the most savoury Dutch foods
These savoury bite-sized balls of chewy goodness are perfect for you if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth!
Bitterballen are battered in a crunchy breadcrumb coating and filled with a gooey mixture of chopped beef, beef broth, flour, butter, herbs, and spices.
The absolute best borrel food! Image: Pixabay
And if this doesn’t already make your mouth water, you get mustard on the side too.
Available at almost every cafe and bar in Amsterdam, bitterballen go extremely well with a glass of cold Dutch beer. 🍺
3. Stroopwafels: the most popular Dutch cookies
Stroopwafels are one of those delicious treats that you buy for your friends and family when you go back home. Made from two thin layers of batter with a sticky syrup filling in the middle, these Dutch cookies are simply delicious.
You can buy them in bulk from every Dutch convenience store and they’re great for stocking up for the cold Dutch winter! 🥶
These syrupy delights go great with warm drinks. Image: Takeaway/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Shops also offer these stroopwafels in a very unique Dutch-style tin packaging, so it’s the perfect souvenir!
But if you want to try the real thing, just buy fresh ones from street vendors in Amsterdam. Small tip — stroopwafels go great with tea or coffee. ☕
4. Hollandse Nieuwe Haring: Dutch sushi
Think of it as the Dutch version of sushi, but not really! This raw fish might not be up to everyone’s taste, but you must try it at least once!Herring fish is typically served with chopped onions. Mmm!
You can also eat it with bread and pickles as a sandwich if you want to tone down the explosion of flavours a bit. Lekker? 🐟
Eating herring in the Netherlands: You either love it or hate it. Image: DutchReview/Supplied
The traditional way of eating herring is by holding the fish by its tail and eating it in one go with your head tilted backwards.
This method is attempted only by the most daring tourists! Oh, and don’t forget to have a mint after that, just so that you don’t kill anyone with your breath. 🤢
5. Kroket: you will absolutely love this Dutch snack
Think of kroketten (croquettes) as a bigger and better version of the bitterballen. The original Dutch kroket is made from beef or veal. But recently, many other flavours have been popping up.
You can try chicken satay, shrimps, goulash or even vegetarian croquettes. If you want to, you can eat it just like that. However, the Dutch usually prefer it in sliced white bread with mustard. 😋
Krokets are normally eaten with bread. Image: Pixabay
You can easily find Dutch kroketten in vending machines (yes, I meant what I said). The Netherlands has cafes with special vending machines that keep different types of food warm.
All you have to do is put some coins in and voilà, a small door opens and you can grab your kroket. Genius! 🧠
6. Erwtensoep: a must when visiting the Netherlands in the winter
Erwtensoep, or green pea soup, is something that the Dutch absolutely love! The main ingredient is, of course, green peas, but the rest is all up to you.
Typically this soup is cooked with slices of rookworst (smoked sausage), celery, onions and leeks. However, some Dutchies like adding some potatoes and carrots in there as well. 🥕
Yummmmm. Image: Pixabay
The point is, you can go wild with any ingredients you want, as long as the accent is on the green peas.
This thick soup is usually very popular around wintertime, so if you happen to be in Holland when it’s cold, you know what to order! Your body and soul will be warmed up instantly. ☺
7. Cheese: the food that the Dutch excel at
You can live in the Netherlands for as long as you want, but you’ll probably never get to try all the variations of cheese or kaas. Dutch people have so many different types of cheese that you can eat it every day and never get sick of it.
Of course, the most popular one is Gouda Cheese, but you’ll be missing out on so much if you just stop there. 🧀
Addicted to Dutch cheese? Us too. Image: Pexels.
Apparently, the Dutch have been making cheese since 800 B.C. In fact, they got so good at it that the Netherlands is the largest cheese exporter in the world. Wat leuk! 🌍
So if you’re walking down the streets in Amsterdam and feel like having a cheeky little bite, walk into any cheese shop.
There are so many cheeses to taste that you will get full in no time. Not to mention that you can also buy cheese packages for your friends and family from back home. How cheesy!
So there you have it! Seven Dutch foods you need to try before you die. Did we miss out on any of your favourite Dutch foods? Let us know in the comments below!
Good news, fiets-lovers and kaassoufflé enthusiasts: the Netherlands has officially been crowned the second-best country in the world for quality of life in 2025.
The ranking comes from the Numbeo Quality of Life Index, which compiles survey data from people around the globe on how they feel about day-to-day life in their country.
What makes the Netherlands so gezellig?
Numbeo’s index takes into account eight key factors, awarding points for each one:
💶 Purchasing Power (can you buy cheese and pay rent?)
💨 Pollution levels (spoiler: the Dutch are keeping things pretty clean)
🏡 House Price to Income Ratio (okay, maybe we skip this one…)
😓 Cost of Living
👮♀️ Safety
💊 Health Care
🚅 Traffic Commute Time
🌱 Climate
In a comparison between the data from 10 years ago versus now, Visual Capitalist points out that back in 2015, the Netherlands sat at 14th place with 166 points, respectable but not brag-worthy.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Dutch have pedalled their way up 12 spots, claiming second place with 216 points.
Only Luxembourg sits above the Netherlands in 2025, and they weren’t even in the top 30 in 2015.
So clearly, Luxembourg has been going to bed early, drinking water, and minding its business.
Europe is still winning the “nice place to live” Olympics
European countries continue to dominate the top rankings overall, likely thanks to solid social support systems, safety, and infrastructure.
2015
2025
1
Switzerland
Luxembourg
2
Germany
Netherlands
3
Sweden
Denmark
4
US
Oman
5
Finland
Switzerland
6
Denmark
Finland
7
Austria
Norway
8
Australia
Iceland
9
Canada
Austria
10
New Zealand
Germany
At the end of the day, the Netherlands has proven that quality of life is not just about sunny weather or giant houses, it’s about feeling safe, looked after, and able to enjoy the little things.
What do you make of this ranking? Let us know in the comments below.
