Author: Karen Prowse

Rights of Tenants

All newcomers to the Netherlands are confronted with the necessity of having to find housing. This can be a very stressful period as it involves a fast-track course in learning housing-market conditions and regulations, as well as possibly having to adapt your lifestyle to the space available, the neighborhood and the surroundings.

In the Netherlands one important distinction to make is that between social-sector housing and private-sector housing. Although most of the rights and obligations for tenants are the same regardless of the sector, the main differences revolve around the price of the rent, its eventual increase and the authority to contact in case of dispute.

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Culture Shock

The American Heritage Dictionary defines culture as “the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought characteristic of a community or population.” It can also be viewed as “a system for creating, sending, storing, and processing information. It is how we talk, behave, understand and act.” (Edward Hall, Anthropologist).

It is perhaps no wonder, then, that we experience culture shock when we are transplanted from one culture to another! Culture shock, the sense of disorientation and the resulting anxiety and stress, is a normal reaction to adjusting to a culture other than the one in which we were raised. Familiar cues, including general behavior, customs and norms, word usage, facial expressions and body language, are gone and we feel insecure as a result. In essence, we feel like a child again, having to relearn almost everything we took for granted in our home culture.

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The Dutch Income Tax System

For an expat, the tax system is especially complicated. The Netherlands can take more than 50% of your salary for taxes. Your personal situation (type of work, partner’s work status, residency status and other assets and earnings – particularly from abroad) will affect your tax status. You may be filing a tax return in your home country and so will have to deal with double taxation agreements.

There are many expat financial specialists who can complete your tax forms for you or provide other consultant services. In addition, the tax office is the Belastingdienst and their website has information in English.

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Future of the IWCN!

On November 3rd, 2016, the International Welcome Center North (IWCN) celebrated its second anniversary!

The IWCN is a one-stop shop for international people living in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe and offers services in three areas:  government formalities (residence permits and municipal registration for highly-skilled migrants, scientific researchers, Orientation year applicants, and start-ups); information (practical information and referrals to reliable service providers); and social activities (a chance to start building a social and/or business network during activities and events). All of this happens at one location on the Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 in Groningen and the IWCN is open five days per week from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs.

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Connect International is growing and changing

As 2016 draws to a close, we would like to make our Stichting Connect International members aware of some exciting upcoming changes to Connect International. In addition to providing information and support to internationals in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe, and organizing events and activities to connect them to the region, Connect International has also offered relocation services to companies and organizations to assist their employees with moving and settling into the Netherlands. As of 1 January 2017, the commercial relocation services formerly provided by Stichting Connect International will be offered by a new organization, Connect Relocation v.o.f. run by the same great relocation team. More information about Connect Relocation v.o.f. can be found on their new website (live as of 1 January 2017): www.connect-relocation.com

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Decisio Report

The IWCN, together with other Expat Centers and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, commissioned a report concerning trends involving internationals living in the Netherlands. The aim was to determine how many internationals were economically active or studying in the Netherlands in this period, and to discover the most relevant trends with regards to their social-demographics (i.e., nationalities, ages, genders, purpose of stay, business sectors, family situation, housing, salary brackets, municipalities, etc.)

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Dutch Mussels

Mussels are best eaten during the months with an “R” in them, from September through April, and can be found on the menu in many Dutch restaurants. However, it is also fairly easy to prepare them yourself.

You can buy quality mussels at most supermarkets and fish mongers, just ask for ‘mosselen’.

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Successful Networking

The First Step To Finding A Job In The Netherlands

Networking is the way to find a job in the Netherlands, but networking can be seen as an art or a science most people need to learn about and practice regularly. Networking to find a job in the Netherlands can be especially challenging for those coming from abroad and struggling to find their way in a foreign application culture. Professional career support is very common in the Netherlands; it varies from group workshops providing more general information to in-depth individual trainings and coaching.

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