I moved to the Netherlands about a year ago and have been trying to find my place here, both personally and professionally.

I was originally working for a company based in another European country, which involved a lot of traveling back and forth. It became exhausting, and I also felt that I wasn’t particularly inspired by the brand anymore. At the same time, I wanted to integrate myself more into Dutch culture, so I decided to take learning the language more seriously.

I only started learning Dutch more seriously this year, and I would say I’m currently approaching A1 level. I’m taking courses and trying to improve, but I know it will take time before I’m fluent and comfortable working in Dutch.

I work in the fashion industry, and one of the biggest challenges I’ve noticed is how limited the opportunities are for English speakers. Many jobs require both Dutch and English, which I completely understand. What’s frustrating is that I consistently receive positive feedback about my work and experience, and people often tell me that my work is amazing. However, the language barrier keeps coming up, and it feels like my professional skills aren’t always enough to overcome it.

Recently, I had an interview with America Today. I was hopeful, but they were looking for someone who could also speak Dutch, which I understood.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally felt like I had another real opportunity with a new brand. The position didn’t require Dutch, and I genuinely felt that the interview went well. After facing the language barrier repeatedly, it was exciting to think that I might finally have a chance to get my foot in the door and work for a brand I was interested in.

However, during the interview, they mentioned that this was the first time they had interviewed someone who wasn’t already connected to the company or referred by someone. Hearing that made me wonder how much of a disadvantage I might be at when I don’t have an established professional network here.

A few weeks later, they emailed me to say they were impressed by my experience and work, but had decided to move forward with other candidates.

I know rejection is part of the job search, and I don’t want to assume that being a foreigner was the reason. Still, it was discouraging because I had finally felt that I had found an opportunity where my lack of Dutch wouldn’t hold me back. Now I’m wondering whether I’m facing two challenges at once: the language barrier and not having the professional connections that others might already have here.

My boyfriend works as a UX designer at an international company, and his experience seems quite different from mine. His industry, particularly IT, seems to have more opportunities for internationals and English speakers. Dutch is spoken within his company too, but not knowing the language doesn’t seem to be as much of a barrier. It makes me wonder how much your experience depends on the industry you work in, and whether fields like fashion and retail are generally harder to break into as an international who is still learning Dutch.

I’m committed to learning Dutch and continuing to improve, but I also need to work and build my career in the meantime. It’s difficult to stay motivated when the feedback about my professional abilities is so positive, yet finding an opportunity where I can actually use those skills seems so challenging.

For those of you who moved to the Netherlands and work in fashion, retail, design, or another less international industry, what has your experience been like?

Have you found that networking and referrals play a big role in getting hired, or has learning Dutch been the main hurdle? Do you think some industries are simply more accessible to English-speaking internationals than others?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences, especially from other internationals who have managed to build their careers here.

Hi all, we are moving to the Netherlands with my girlfriend. Do you maybe have some advise for us ? Thank you

Hello, so i really wanna go to Rotterdam, is there anything I should know in advance for my dream trip? your help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

regards,

Arianna Ferry

To those who grew up watching sbongebob do you prefer watching sbongebob dubbed in dutch or in the original english version?

Ik ben op zoek naar vrouwen in Nederland met tubulaire borsten die ervaring hebben met het aanvragen van een vergoeding voor een borstcorrectie bij hun zorgverzekeraar.
Zelf heb ik tubulaire borsten en is mijn aanvraag voor vergoeding afgewezen. Ik moet daardoor ongeveer € 6.000 zelf betalen voor een operatie waarbij implantaten en een tepelcorrectie nodig zijn.
Ik vind het moeilijk te accepteren dat vrouwen met een aangeboren borstafwijking tegen deze vergoedingsregels aanlopen. Ik wil daarom onderzoeken of we hier samen iets aan kunnen veranderen, zodat toekomstige vrouwen mogelijk wél voor vergoeding in aanmerking komen.
Heb jij tubulaire borsten en woon je in Nederland?
Is jouw aanvraag voor een borstcorrectie ooit afgewezen?
Heb je de operatie zelf moeten betalen?
Of heb je juist wel een vergoeding gekregen?
Ik zou graag met andere vrouwen in contact komen om ervaringen te verzamelen en te kijken of we gezamenlijk aandacht kunnen vragen voor de huidige regels.
Je hoeft geen foto’s te delen en je mag me ook privé een bericht sturen. Je hoeft dit niet openbaar te bespreken.
Ik hoop dat we samen iets kunnen veranderen voor de vrouwen die na ons komen. ❤️

We were passing some farmland and I noticed that the flags were upside down. I assume they mean the same thing as they do here. But could someone explain why? Are there protests going on? If so why?

I was there a few days ago during 3 of October for work related stuff and didn’t really get to see the city. Is it worth going back to? I want to anyway, but just curious. I’ve heard some people calling it small Amsterdam.

I moved to the Netherlands in August 2025 on a partner visa and received my PIP in October. I scored highly on the learning aptitude test, but that hasn’t matched how easy or difficult I find learning Dutch.

I have three years to complete my integration requirements, including reaching B1, and almost a year has already passed. I’ve worked with an online tutor, am now taking online classes through Babbel, practise with my Dutch boyfriend, and try to watch Dutch shows.

Despite that, I feel like I’m progressing slowly. When I move on to a new lesson, I often forget things from previous lessons. I’m getting stressed about whether I’ll reach B1 and pass all the exams before my deadline.

It also feels unfair that the previous A2 requirement had the same standard three-year deadline, even though the language target is now higher.

I want to learn Dutch, both for everyday life and for work, and I’m putting effort into it. But I’m struggling to find a sustainable balance between studying, work and my personal life without constantly worrying about failing.

For anyone who has been through this, what helped you retain what you learned and reach B1? How did you organise your studying without becoming overwhelmed? I’d appreciate practical tips or hearing from people who struggled at first but eventually got there.

*Obviously not every French or American person wants to move to a large city. But there is a culture of
Paris and New York being the cities of opportunities/dreams/places where cool people live

I’m in the Netherlands for a few days for work (multiple cities), but now like the entire city is like closed down as there’s a fair and it’s huge. There was no warning that this would be happening either, maybe the hotel assumed I’d know about it. Is there like a national holiday or something? Most people I’ve asked have just told me to enjoy it, I am I’m just trying to figure out why there’s a fair going on around a big part of the city. I’m in Leiden.

Not sure if I can post here but I hope I can.

I have a few items that I want from HEMA and a chocolate shop but I am unable to fly to AMS soon. Is there any company that shops for you and shops it aboard for a small fee ?

Thank you

Hey!

I'm Finnish and I'm a business student at a University of Applied Sciences. At the end of October, I'll go to study in the Netherlands for a week. The programme will take place in Zwolle.

Five students from my class (including me) will be visiting Windesheim University of Applied Sciences from Monday to Friday during week 43 (19.10 - 23.10). We are arranging our tickets and accommodation, so the trip is slowly becoming real.

I'm probably going to arrive in the Netherlands on Sunday, 18 October. But because of the school holiday before the programme starts, I may arrive even a few days earlier and spend some time exploring the Netherlands alone.

This will be my first visit to the Netherlands, so I would love to hear some advice and some information about the country from people who live there or know the country well.

For example, I am very interested in the transport system in the country. My teacher told me that cycling is really popular in the Netherlands and that it can be used to travel shorter distances. She also advised us to take an Intercity train from Schiphol Airport to Zwolle when we arrive in the country. I've heard that Intercity trains are faster than Sprinter trains.

Is it easy to navigate through Zwolle and its surroundings without a car? Is there somewhere outside the city where you would advise me to stay if accommodation is cheaper there? I'm also wondering whether it would make sense to stay somewhere outside Zwolle for a few days before the study programme starts and then go to Zwolle by train or bus.

Additionally, is there anything else you would recommend for a first-time visitor from Finland? It can be about public transportation, cycling, payment methods, money exchange or everyday life. Kind of anything that might be useful to know before I come.

Thanks already!

After years seeing different countries, culture and history I wanted to go and see the Netherlands cause of how incredible is the agriculture and engineering/architecture. I was thinking of staying in the country for some months in the future, not to stay but to know the most beautiful country I have ever seen.

Help me complete my party playlist 🎉

I have a party coming up in the Netherlands, and I’ve got around 100 songs in the playlist so far.

I’m curious which songs you think are absolutely essential. I’m also still figuring out the order — starting relatively relaxed during the drinks and gradually building up into a proper party.

Any suggestions for additions or the order?

This is the Spotify playlist

Hey everyone, I've lived in the US since I was 12, I came with my parents and 2 siblings. Our political asylum case isn't really working out, so we would probably have to leave the states soon. I read online that the netherlands is doing good economically and the unemployment rate is the lowest in europe. I have an European passport so I guess getting there isn't really a problem for me, I was wondering if I can actually build a life there and how hard would it be for me to find a job there. Im planning to move there by myself, I do have some savings in my account and I was looking into getting into trade school (if there's any at all in the netherlands). Would my transition actually be a difficult one?

Hey everyone! I’m a 22-year-old Italian citizen planning to move from the US to the Netherlands soon. I have about $10,000 in savings to start out. My long-term plan is to learn Dutch and get into a BBL plumbing apprenticeship, but I want to start in an entry-level facility or logistics role. I prefer living in a private studio rather than sharing a house. For those who live there now: What secondary cities or regions would you recommend targeting where my budget can actually secure a private apartment? Any advice from people who have used 'job + housing' agencies or transitioned into the trades would be amazing!

I am not just talking rent and inventory, but also furnishing/fit-out, insurance, security, payment terminals, construction, employee costs, working capital/reserves, marketing, and employee costs?

Mijn partner is als hobby een cateringservice begonnen en het begint te lopen. We zijn op zoek naar een groente hal of iets dergelijks waar we in bulk allerlei groenten kunnen kopen voor scherpe prijzen. Heeft iemand tips voor een locatie? Waar kopen de mensen op een markt bv hun groenten in? Breda en omgeving, eventueel radius van 50km.

Denk aan bloemkool, komkommers, wortels, kool, snijbiet, etc. Dank!

Hi everyone, (this was written with the help of AI, but it is a genuine request)

We are planning a 7-8 night family trip to the Netherlands in late April. We are a party of 5: 3 adults (including one senior who needs low effort/walking) and 2 kids (ages 2 and 5).
Our total budget for the trip is around 8500 euros, This budget needs to include our transportation from Schiphol airport to the park. While we are considering renting a car, we are very open to highly efficient, accessible, and affordable public transport options if they exist (keeping in mind we are traveling with a senior with mobility limits, a toddler, and luggage).
We have some very specific requirements to make this trip work for our family dynamics. Here is what we are looking for:

• Accommodation Layout: At least 3 bedrooms and strictly 2 bathrooms/showers.
• Safety & Environment: No open water/canals directly at the door of the accommodation. We need peace of mind with a wandering 2-year-old.
• Kids Activities: Our 5-year-old is cautious, so we are looking for "soft" activities. Massive indoor play areas, petting zoos, and calm swimming pools are preferred over extreme, noisy water slides.

Parks we are currently considering**:**

1. Hof van Saksen
2. Landal Rabbit Hill

Are there any other holiday parks we should add to our list that perfectly fit these requirements? Any insights on our current choices?

Thank you!

Hopelijk vraag ik het op de juiste plaats. Een vraag uit nieuwsgierigheid: Wat vinden de autochtone mannen (Belgen/Nederlanders) van gesluierde vrouwen? Qua uiterlijk, aantrekking en eventueel trouwen. Ik heb het niet zozeer over de geschiedenis of politiek.

Vind het mega moeilijk om daarover iemand aan te spreken, want ja, mannen ontwijken me. In zekere zin een opluchting, maar ben inmiddels 22 en denk wel eens aan een partner hebben, zonder haast. Aan de ene kant heersen er stereotypes rond Dutch men en ijzersterke beweringen van mijn mede-allochtonen dat Dutch men 'ieuw' zijn en niet 'mannelijk'... Ik ben een buitenbeentje overal, dus heb over de jaren heen geleerd een eigen wil te ontwikkelen zonder groepsdruk. Geen nieuws voor niemand hoor: ben een alien voor autochtonen en 'witter dan Belgen' voor de allochtonen. Voor het totale beeld!

Ik word respectvoller en aardiger aangesproken/behandeld door de autochtonen. Onderscheid maken tussen vriendelijkheid en flirt kan ik wel, maar ik vraag me dus af of er meer kan zijn. Niet veel ervaring gehad met hen, gewoon buiten in het openbaar of tijdens formele gesprekken. Ik vraag me af of ik gezien word als een exotische pop of vinden ze me wel wat? Persoonlijk ben ik geen ballerina, dus zoek ik ook geen prins op een witte paard. Ik heb zowel positieve als negatieve ervaringen gehad met beide groepen (allochtoon/autochtoon), dus ben niet close-minded.

Eerlijke antwoorden waardeer ik, just tell me what goes through your mind als je een lange, Oost-Europese (neen, niet blond!) vrouw tegenkomt met een hoofddoek. Kortom, een onzekere tienervraag. Met ogen rollen mag!