ACCESS Autumn 2010

information

,

advice and support for your life in the netherlands

Autumn 2010 pic up yok own f ur r copy ee

Biking in

the Netherlands Special features | Culture shock! Brazil vs Holland |

­ isit Maastricht |Coaching | Dutch Design | Learning languages | V Courses | Events | Volunteer profile | Food | News

YOU’VE GOT ENOUGH TO DISCOVER THAT’S WHY WE OFFER FINANCIAL SERVICES ESPECIALLY FOR EXPATS At ABN AMRO we are aware of the cultural and other differences you will encounter in the Netherlands.

That’s why we’ll do everything to ensure that you won’t have to worry about your banking matters. Our International Client Service starts with quick and easy

Internet Banking in English. But we communicate in more than 20 different languages. For advice on more complex financial issues, you can count on the expertise and assistance of a Preferred Banker. Would you like to discover more about our service?

PLEASE VISIT ABNAMRO.COM/INTERNATIONALCLIENTS

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) is not licensed to conduct banking business or sell insurance products in the United States under applicable federal and state laws. The offering, sale and/or distribution of this product or service can also be limited to other persons by the laws and regulations of other jurisdictions. Every (future) client is obliged to make inquiries after and comply with such restrictions. Neither this document, nor any copy there of may be sent to or taken into the United States or distributed in the United States or to a US Person.

| content Autumn 2010 Biking in the Netherlands 10

My Pug and I 34

Photo by Marc van Woudenberg

Cover and article photos courtesy of ©Shirley Agudo, American photojournalist and author of Bicycle Mania Holland.

Maastricht

5 About Access

23

26 Volunteer Profile 29 Bach Ensemble

services & volunteers 7 Letter from Lucie Scott,

31 Theatre, Life’s a dramatic comedy 32 It’s all talk

new Executive Director 8 Community news

34 My pug and I

10 Cover story – Biking in

37 Culture shock! Brazil vs Holland 40 Food is food – culinary column

the Netherlands 14 Words of Encouragement

44 ACCESS courses Amsterdam

17 Help kids excel

48 ACCESS courses The Hague

18 Dutch Design – New Blue

52 Events calendar

20 De-mystifying coaching

54 ACCESS Who’s Who

23 Travel – Maastricht

Culture shock:

Brazil vs Holland 37

www.access-nl.org ACCESS - The Hague Zeestraat 100, 2nd floor 2518 AD The Hague T. 070 - 346 25 25 info@access-nl.org

ACCESS - Amsterdam Prinses Irenestraat 59 1077 WV Amsterdam T. 020 - 423 32 17 amsterdam@access-nl.org

Open monday through friday 10 am - 4 pm

ACCESS was awarded Expatica’s Expat Service Prvoder of the Year 2010 for our dedication, service and commitment to the international expat community.

Quality day-care for your child, peace of mind for you Comme à la Maison is an international childcare center in The Hague. We provide a warm and welcoming home for both Dutch and English-speaking children.

• Special activities: art, gymnastics, music and dancing • Registered with the GGD. An active Parents' Committee • Warm, nutritional and balanced meals available daily • English and Dutch-speaking groups of children aged 0-to-6 • Secure environment, fully equipped for play, sleep and educational needs • Swimming: unique to day-care, a chance to experience the world of water

International Child Care House Comme à la Maison Duinweg 1, 2585 JT Den Haag 0031 (0) 70-404 9750 info@calmkid.nl

www.calmkid.nl

About Established in 1986, ACCESS is a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting the International Expatriate Community in the Netherlands.

resentatives from the commercial sector, all of whom make up our Honorary Board. Each office has a Management Team comprised of volunteers as heads of departments. Each Management Team is responsible for the general organisation and administration of its office. ACCESS is supported by both Dutch, International and Expatriate businesses and organisations through donations and varying levels of sponsorship, each providing benefits to the sponsors in return as well as help, advice and support to their expat and returning local employees.

Volunteering for ACCESS

From humble beginnings, ACCESS has grown to become a leading source of free, personalised information in the English language for the Expatriate International Community in the Netherlands. Our offices in The Hague and Amsterdam are staffed by an enthusiastic team of around 160 volunteers who have experienced the expat relocation process and are able to provide comprehensive information, advice and support, as well as empathising with the experience of individuals on all aspects of living and working in the Netherlands, particularly in The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam regions, also known as the Randstad area of Holland.

We have a team of up to 160 volunteers in The Hague and Amsterdam. We offer volunteer opportunities in areas including marketing, event management, advertising, fund raising, IT, finance, database research, copywriting and much more. The core of our team is our Help Desk volunteers, this is the front line of our service – helping and advising expats over the phone, by email or by personal consultation.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us, you can volunteer for as few as 6 hours per week and at your convenience. Contact us at The Hague at vrd-dh@accessnl.org or Amsterdam at vrd-ams@access-nl.org Finding ACCESS

www.access-nl.org

ACCESS receives over 20,000 enquiries a year and is widely recognised as the primary source of free information in English in the Netherlands. ACCESS is actively supported by local authorities and government ministries, and provides regular feedback to such bodies on the experiences and expectations of the International and Expat communities moving to, relocating or living in the Netherlands.

ACCESS is governed by an Executive Board made up of representatives from the business community, community organisations and an Executive Director responsible for overall management.

Additionally, ACCESS is recognised and supported by the Mayors of The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, by several leading Ambassadors and rep-

In The Hague we’ve recently moved office and have now settled into Zeestraat 100, which has generously been provided by the The City of the Hague. You’re always welcome to come and see us in the Stadhuis Atrium at The Hague City Hall, along with the Xpat Desk team, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5 pm.

In Amsterdam you can now find us in the ExpatCenter in the World Trade Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9-12. We are also kindly supported by the ExpatCenter Amsterdam. You’re also always welcome to call in to our office – we’re based in the Amsterdam International Community School – 2nd floor – Prinses Irenestraat 59.

access | autumn | 5

Dutch Language Courses • Beginner to advanced • Dutch for business • In-company courses & private tuition • NT2 exam preparation

English Language Courses

Language s Adult and ren d l i h C

• Beginner to advanced • Business English • In-company courses & private tuition • CELTA teacher training • Cambridge exam preparation

learning

for life

For further information call 070 315 4080 www.britishschool.nl/languagecentre

ACCESS Counselling Network Living in a new country can be a tough experience.

Day-to-day differences, such as customs and language, can have more of a personal impact than you might expect. Additionally, ordinary and unexpected life situations may prove more challenging when faced in a different country away from personal support networks and resources you had at home. At times like these you may benefit from professional support, which ACCESS can provide through a referral to our counsellor network.

The Counselling Services of ACCESS were established in 1986 to meet the needs of the international English speaking community in the Netherlands. The ACCESS Counselling Network consists of professionals having practices all over Holland. Our counsellors are men and women who are psychologists, mental health counsellors, and social workers from a variety of different cultural backgrounds. All counsellors have a minimum Masters level degree with at least two years supervised work experience. They offer a variety of expertise in different areas, including:

• adjustment difficulties • marital/relationship issues • anxiety • depression • sexual/emotional/physical abuse • loss and bereavement • substance abuse • cross-cultural adjustment • sexuality issues

• children and families • AIDS/HIV • career challenges • suicide • eating disorders • learning problems • psychological evaluations • medically related problems

In addition to English, a number of ACCESS counsellors speak other languages including Dutch, German, Spanish, French and Italian. All referrals and counselling services are confidential. Fees are set by the individual counsellors.

Contacting a Counsellor

Every month, two of the ACCESS counsellors are on-call, they can provide a free referral to a member of the ACCESS Counselling Network who is best placed to assist you. Please contact the helpline at your local ACCESS office or for more immediate attention out of office hours, details of the month’s on-call counsellors can be found on www.access-nl.org

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear ACCESS readers, With the weather shifting into cooler temperatures, and darker days, a warm autumn welcome to all of you. As we move into our 25th year we decided we needed a makeover, so as well as the ‘new look’ ACCESS magazine in your hands, you’ll soon be seeing our new and improved website to be launched later in the year.

Our thanks to Dijkman Publishers in The Hague who created our new style.

I also have to say a big thank you to the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency who have made a generous and welcome investment in ACCESS as part of their programme to improve hospitality to, and the quality of life for, expatriates and internationals living in the Netherlands.

We’ve had quite a lot of change at ACCESS recently including my appointment as Executive Director. I’m proud to take responsibility for an organisation that gives advice and help to over 20,000 expats each year, with a dedicated and amazing group of volunteers from all four corners of the world. Volunteers who like you live, or have lived, international lives. And we’re always looking for new volunteers where you can use your skills and experience and meet and work with some fantastic people.

After seven years living in Australia and now 2½ years here in The Hague, although the kids are now settled in at the British School and my husband is busy at Shell, I can still remember how daunting living in a new country can be, and how difficult things can sometimes seem when you are so far away from home. And that’s why ACCESS is here – to help and offer advice. Please don’t ever hesitate to contact us – we’re always ready to listen.

If you have any feedback on the magazine, on the services that ACCESS offers or any ideas I’d love to hear from you.

Warm regards, Lucie Scott edirector@access-nl.org

ACCESS memory stick We’re delighted to announce the launch of the ACCESS memory stick – ACCESSING the Netherlands.

The memory stick will give you all the information you need on first arriving in the Netherlands and for your ongoing life in Holland. Memory sticks weigh less than a bag of crisps – or ‘chips’ and you can just open the information you need at the click of a mouse – no more heavy books and

multiple leaflets to plough through. There will also be some free space on the memory stick for you to save your own documents.

And there’ll be information included from some of our partners.

As well as being able to buy the memory stick at the I’m Not a Tourist Fair in Amsterdam on October 10th, you’ll also be able to buy it from our ACCESS on-line shop at www.access-nl.org/shop/index.htm

or from either of our ACCESS offices as well as at the Xpat Desk in The City Hall of The Hague.

access | autumn | 7

Community News

Amsterdam’s Canals Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site The UNESCO World Heritage Site will take in the area around Amsterdam’s three main canals: the Herengracht or Patricians’ Canal, the Keizersgracht or Emperor’s Canal, and the Prinsengracht or Prince’s Canal. The three waterways run parallel to each other in a crescent

shape, giving the city centre its characteristic semi-circular shape when viewed from the air. Many of the canal houses were built in the Golden Age, a period of great progress and prosperity in 17thcentury Amsterdam. It comprises a network of canals to the west and south of

the historic old town and medieval port. According to UNESCO, who awarded the title of World Heritage Site to the 17th century canal ring area inside the Singelgracht, the historic urban ensemble of the canal district of Amsterdam was a project for a new ‘port city’ built at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries.

Amsterdam has been working to win world heritage status for its 17th century centere since 2006. Locations on the list can obtain UNESCO funding for maintenance or to restore damage. But more significantly for Amsterdam, the World Heritage tag is a source of prestige, and boosts the location’s status as a tourist destination.

Source: UNESCO/NBTC

Community support We were delighted to have our annual ACCESS networking & fund raising event hosted by the British Embassy in the British Ambassadors Residence, and extend a big thank you to Paul Arkwright and his staff. We had over 150 people attend from national and local government, organisations and businesses that support ACCESS. Many thanks to all those that attended and generously donated to the ongoing and valuable work of ACCESS. See page 51 and www.access-nl.org for the list of sponsors and donors.

8 | access | autumn

ACCESS at the I’m Not a Tourist Fair You’ll find us at the I’m Not A Tourist Fair run by Expatica on Sunday, October 10th. The Expat Center Amsterdam have kindly invited us to share their stand. Please call in and say hello – you can also purchase the NEW ACCESS memory stick.

Source: www.expatica.com/iamnotatourist

Community News

Scheveningen begins work on new boulevard The ‘global city by the sea’ comprising Scheveningen (The Hague beach) will be further protected with reinforcements in the form of an attractive new boulevard designed by Spanish architect Manuel De Solá-Morales. Not only will the boulevard appeal to the 20 million visitors attracted to the coast each year, as part of the Scheveningen Master Plan the structure also serves as a dike barrier to keep the water from reaching beyond the shores to the city. Construction will continue through 2013.

Young Writers in print:

Friendship book features competition winners Every young writer wants to be published.

So perhaps the best prize of all for the winners of the Young Writers Competition, organised by the The XPat Journal, The International Herald Tribune and DutchNews.nl, is the publication of a book featuring their work.

In total, nearly 700 young writers from 40 different schools took part in the competition, launched last September, and submitted stories, poems and plays based around

the theme of friendship. The book contains the 15 winners and some 40 runnersup – picked by the judges on the basis of their imagination, emotion, insight, and writing skills.

Being expat children, there were a lot of stories and poems about leaving people or being left behind themselves. Some were terribly sad but others full of hope and optimism. All 700 original entries have also become part of the Expatriate Archive Centre’s collection so every story and poem, not just those in the book, will have a place in history. The book can be ordered via www.hollandbooks.nl or purchased from ACCESS offices or online bookshop.

access | autumn | 9

Biking in the Netherlands

Flat as a There’s no better way to see the scenery in the Netherlands and enjoy nature. Everyone cycles: adults, children, teenagers, the elderly, students, and even professionals. Cycling is a way of life, and popular because a continuous network of cycle paths are maintained, making it convenient and easy to get around town. It’s also efficient, energy saving and environmentally friendly! More than 1.3 million new bikes are sold annually from over 3,200 bike shops. So enjoy cycling, the Dutch way!

Who hasn’t almost been run over by kamikazee tourists poorly navigating on two wheels? While the phrase ‘go with the flow’ may be apt for the experienced ‘­fietser’ knowing the rules of the road is a good start. Cycling is so ingrained in the Dutch culture, that children are given bike traffic lessons in grade school in order to get their ‘fiets diploma’ proving that they know how to be safe while cycling and follow the rules. In fact, the Dutch, undaunted by wind or weather use their bikes all year round. They love their bikes so much that May has been designated national cycling month, with lots of activities. www.meimaandfietsmaand.nl

by Olivia van den Broek-Neri ACCESS Volunteer

Rules in motion

In Dutch traffic law, bicycles form a separate category, and some special regulations apply, which may be different from those 10 | access | autumn

pancake Photo by Ben Deiman

for motorised traffic. In short, the traffic law distinguishes between ‘slow traffic’ (bicycles, mopeds) and ‘fast traffic’ (motorcycles and cars). Indeed, driving while under the influence will net you a hefty fine if caught ‘drunk driving.’

As pedestrians and other cyclists are obviously not mind readers, do use hand signals when preparing to make a left or right turn. Simply put your arm out in the direction you want to turn. You also need to stay on the bike paths; cycling is not allowed on sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas, and certainly never on the highway. Cyclists also share the bike paths with mopeds, so keep to the right-side of the bike path so that they can pass you. They are much faster, so do keep that in mind to avoid a collision.

Assuming your ears are not filled with earpods and the sounds of music in motion,

The Netherlands has over 15,000 km

vest is helpful at night. Bicycle helmets are not required, though sport cyclists are wearing them.

of bike paths

Follow the path

make sure you can be heard! Bikes have bells for a reason! Warn other cyclists as you approach and need to pass them and use the bell to warn pedestrians who are blocking the bike path! And speaking of blocking, it’s allowed to ride alongside another cyclist, but cycling with three people wide is not permitted. Make sure you can be seen as well, even with laws stating that cyclists must have proper lighting and reflectors on their bicycles, many people do not abide by the laws. Disregarding the law is dangerous and can result in a fine.

Wearing light colours and/or a reflective

The Netherlands is a small country, and flat as a pancake, which makes cycling a very practical form of transportation. Bike paths are distinguished by red tiles or pavement, sometimes with a cyclist symbol on the pavement. Follow the signs, as bike paths and bike roads are indicated by a blue circular sign with a white bicycle symbol. Some roundabouts have cyclist lanes around them, with signposts directing the cyclist to a destination. They are also marked with priority, with roads connecting the cycle ways to the roundabout, so you don’t keep going round in circles... others have separate cycle paths around them. Tunnels are common around motoraccess | autumn | 11

Biking in the Netherlands

“ The Dutch transport children, pets and almost everything

Photo by Ben Deiman

else by bicycle.” used for every day trips, including going to school and/or work, and running errands around town, whereas a sportfiets (exercise/ sport bike) is a more convenient bicycle for longer trips. A special type of ATB (all-terrain-bike) is the mountain bike, but because of its flat terrain is not often used in the Netherlands. An electric bike offers the possibility to get electric support while cycling. Because it does not require as much strength, it is especially useful when it is very windy. In Dutch this is called “trapondersteuning,” which means that you have to bike yourself, but the electric motor will support you. You can choose between bikes that offer no support, little support, average support or a lot of support. Prices range from second-hand bikes for about E75 to super-deluxe top-of-the line f0r a few thousand euros.

ou Did y me ... So know opu­lation he p 85% of t least one has at e. bicycl

SPECIAL OFFER: You can download the complete new ACCESS Bicycling in the Netherlands ­information booklet, free-of-charge, via the website (see publications). www.access-nl.org

12 | access | autumn

Photo by Ben Deiman

Whatever fits

ways to avoid busy road junctions and traffic lights, although for some reason they often smell like urinals. When crossing rivers, bridges are used, but at times there are no separate bike paths and cyclists are forced alongside automobiles. So do be careful. There are plenty of types of bikes to choose from. Stadsfietsen (city bikes) and omafietsen (grandma bikes) generally are

The Dutch are big on transporting children by bicycle, but there are laws and safety requirements for cycling with children.

Since 1990 it has been law that only children younger than eight years old can be carried on a bicycle, and they must have an effective seat with support for their hands, feet and back. Several ways of transporting your children are: in front of you, at the back, in a bakfiets, or in a so-called fietskar.

Bakfietsen (cargo bikes) are transport bikes with three wheels and a large front bucket.

It is common to see parents transporting children around in bakfietsen because the box is low to the ground making it is easier to transport more weight, so you’ll see them filled with kids, dog, groceries, you name it, whatever!

You will also be amazed to see mums or dads with a kid on the front handlebars seat and one on the back of the bike, and possibly a baby in a kangaroo carrier as well. The Dutch are quite good at getting around. Women cycling in spike heels and tight dresses do so like its a breeze, same as persons moving people, goods, pets from A to Z in a variety of balancing manoeuvres.

Even though the Netherlands is a safe country, bike theft is a big problem: Amsterdam is said to be the bike theft capital of the world. In 2006, some 760,000 bikes were reported stolen, about 5% of bicycles in the Netherlands. If people on the street ask you if you are interested in purchasing a bicycle, know that these are possibly stolen. To help prevent your bike from being stolen, park at a guarded bicycle parking lot. Make sure you have a sturdy lock for your bike, and make sure you fasten it to something stationary, like a bike rack, pole, or tree. Do not park your bike in places that have signs posted saying, ‘Geen fietsen plaatsen.’ (No bike parking.) Otherwise you may find it confiscated by the police, and you’ll have to pay to get it back again.

Enjoying cycling

There are plenty of routes where you can cycle. Landscape-wise some of the most interesting areas are the coastline, including the Wadden Islands, the national parks “De Hoge Veluwe” and “De Veluwezoom,” as well as the hills in Limburg. However, exploring towns and villages can be fun, and suggested routes are readily available at tourist and bicycle shops. Riding a bike in the Netherlands is a good way to integrate into Dutch society, and with these tips you can be ready to join the Dutch on the bike path! «

Photo by Shirley Agudo

Bicycle thefts

Resources/links related to cycling in the Netherlands

• www.fietsberaad.org or www.bicyclecouncil.org (center of expertise on bicycle policy in NL, a ‘knowledge institute’ with masses of information)

• www.nsfiets.nl (information about taking your bicycle on the Dutch trains) • www.vvv.nl (national tourist information office, advice on cycling/walking routes) • www.anwb.nl/fietsen (national motoring/touring organisation), info on cycling • www.fietspad.nl (hundreds of biking routes) • www.fietsersbond.nl (Dutch association and interest group for cyclists in NL • www.ov-fiets.nl (for fast access, public transport bikes at some 200 user destinations; subscriptions cost €9.50 per year. Returning the bicycle, the key is scanned, and the rental price of €2.85 per 20 hours is automatically deducted) www.oudefiets.nl (history of the Dutch bicycle and various models) www.fietsen.123.nl (for enthusiasts, with routes, news, agendas, tips) www.holland.com, American edition www.holland.com/us (Netherlands Board of Tourism; see ‘Discover Holland/Active/Cycling’)

• • •

Tips courtesy of www.bicyclemania.nl

access | autumn | 13

Education

Words

It always seems to be one small, simple thing that inevitably causes life to change in unexpected ways.

For Art Olender, it was the moment that he decided to spend some of his free time volunteering at his sons’ school.

By Candace Conner-Kabela access volunteer

14 | access | autumn

During his hectic first years in Amster­dam, Art met Catherine, a Netherlands native.

The two married, moved to Abcoude, and three boys later, Art concluded that trying to combine his demanding career with raising a family was less than ideal.

American-born Art (Miami, Florida) was educated at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and received his Masters Degree in Computer Science. As one of the founders of IEX Corporation, Art moved to Amsterdam in 1997 to open his company’s first international office.

Back to school

In 2008, he took a parental leave with the idea that he would look for a job that would allow him to spend more time with his wife and children. Initially curious as to what

his sons were up to all day, Art began volunteering at their basisschool (elementary school). His original assignment was to read stories in English, one day a week, to a few 10-year olds who were having trouble with English. Within a couple of months, however, it grew into English lessons for the entire school (4 -12 year olds)!

Art was enjoying taking small groups of kids and teaching them games, reading stories and singing songs in English. They even put on short plays to help them overcome their fear of speaking English. After volunteering for nearly a year and seeing how much fun the kids were having, and how much fun he was having, Art decided to look into ways to turn this into his new career.

Almost by coincidence, Art met Sarah Bevis, an English woman living in

of encouragement Abcoude. Sarah had been tutoring a child in the village in English and was looking for a way to organise English lessons of some sort there, as well. Sarah has a background full of volunteering and teaching experiences. She was born in Singapore, and brought up in Malawi, Central Africa.

Her father is a teacher and currently the voluntary directory of Open Arms orphanage in Malawi.

When Sarah was 18, she moved to Zanzibar to teach English in a local school for a year.

She then returned to England and completed her degree in Sociology and Anthropology at Hull University. After graduation, she moved to India where she taught English at an international school.

“From a young age my parents stressed the importance of doing things for other people regardless of material gain,” Sarah said.

While in India, Sarah met Bastiaan and moved with him to Amsterdam in 1998.

In 2004, Sarah and Bastiaan became parents and decided to move to Abcoude.

Fun learning English

Art and Sarah established Fun Learning English Abcoude VOF in March 2009. Art had his volunteer teaching experience, but decided to get a TEFL certification to help give him more insight into how children learn new languages.

In May 2009, Art and Sarah began giving official lessons at the school of Art’s sons.

They immediately had a quarter of the entire school taking the course! In September, they had an information evening for the remaining three schools in

Abcoude. The interest was instantaneous.

They had over 230 children wanting lessons! Art and Sarah began hiring other native English speakers to teach the lessons, as there were far too many students for just the two of them.

“The challenge has been to keep the quality high, and to keep our teachers well trained,” states Art. The mission of Fun Learning English is to improve the English of students from age 4 to 12. The classes meet before and after the normal school

see a few baseball games with the students, teachers and parents. We’re organising a summer camp this year for kids who want a boost before school starts again. We help the kids put on plays in English for the school during the year. Anything we can think of to help stimulate them to communicate in English is fair game,” adds Sarah.

Sarah has a special talent in coming up with an endless variety of lesson themes and material that are both fun to teach and fun to learn. Some recent examples of lessons that she created are ‘World Cup

“ Having fun while learning English is the key to our business.” day in groups of 4 – 8, all children of similar age and language capability. All of the Fun Learning English teachers are native English speakers who are enthusiastic about working with children. They use games, songs, reading aloud and even perform short plays to interest the children in a fun way in the English language.

There are a number of advantages that learning English provides for the children.

Early learning gives the children more selfconfidence, it prepares them for middelbare school (high school) and it helps them with learning additional languages later on.

“We take advantage of a child’s innate desire to communicate. Having fun while learning English is the key to our business,” Art states. “It’s not just about having fun during the lessons. We’ve been to

Fever’, ‘Making a Pizza’ and ‘Working in a Toy Store’. Every week there is something different for the children and the teachers to enjoy. “It’s not just about fun learning English, but just as much about fun teaching English. We try to keep our teachers engaged by organising regular get-togethers where we share experiences and provide training on the various lessons that Sarah comes up with,” says Art. Art and Sarah are now expanding Fun Learning English into Amsterdam. Their goal is to grow it through out the Netherlands for the next few years, then on through Europe.

If you’d like to know more about Fun Learning English, or to become a FLE teacher visit their website: www.funlearningenglish.nl. « access | autumn | 15

City of The Hague The Hague Hospitality Centre

WWW.DENHAAG.COM Your first point of contact for (new) residents of the city of The Hague

THE HAGUE IS JUST A CLICK AWAY! email: xpatdesk@denhaag.com telephone: 070 353 5043, every working day from 9.00 until 17.00 hours visitor’s address: City Hall of The Hague, Spui 70 (Atrium) opening hours: Monday through Friday from 9.00 until 17.00 hours

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11-11-2009 16:29:32

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The training for Counselling and Coaching is given in The Hague - Amsterdam or TeleClasses Your trainer is Els Barkema - Sala, an international professional in counselling and coaching.

Expand your personal skills and professional repertoire and Register now for the new English-language Diploma Course in Counselling & Coaching.

Ask for further information Els Barkema-Sala, MPhil, MBACP at 071 - 52 82 661 or basal@planet.nl www.counselling.nl - (mind: double ll)

Education

Help your children learn, evolve and excel!

By Marie Dewulf Access trainer & Volunteer

Relocating to another country can be a ­fabulously rich experience for some children. But for others, it can be more difficult as they have lost their familiar points of reference. It is important to keep in mind that when moving house, a child may require a great effort to adapt their lifestyle, to make new friends, to get used to another school, culture, language, etc.

Fear of having to be up-rooted again can create a difficulty in thinking about the future.

School results do not only depend on a good education, an efficient memory and regular support... They also depend on a child or teenager’s acceptance that they are responsible for managing their everyday life and their future goals.

In parallel with the support of qualified school staff, you can also contribute to your children’s progress by using coaching techniques. Coaching uses a question and answe method that enables your child or teenager to become conscious of any problems and their subsequent ­consequences. The child can then determine for himself what needs to be done to change the situation. Nothing is imposed, the child discovers the solution and

therefore the child is motivated to take responsibility and action to follow the path to the solution.

Here is an extract of the method: 1) What do you think of the situation you are in now? How is that a problem for you?

Here, the child discussed a difficulty, a particular situation encountered at school and/or at home.

Often, children unconsciously use the defence mechanisms they have to avoid feeling responsible and guilty. They often trivialise situations “I didn’t do well but it’s not really a problem because neither did my friends.” Or victimisation: “it’s not my fault; it’s the teacher who didn’t explain well enough or doesn’t like me.” A difficult

situation can also hide fears, awkwardness, mental blocks, for instance: “ever since my best friend’s left, I feel lost.”

“People are laughing at me.” “I don’t even know how long we’ll be here for.” “I’m afraid to leave home next year to continue my studies...”

2) What will be the short and long-term consequences if you don’t solve this problem, now, for yourself ? What do you risk losing if you don’t change the way you act and react?

As soon as the child becomes aware of what is happening now, he can very clearly see the positive and/or negative consequences of his actions if he doesn’t change his behaviour/attitude/actions.

3) Give me five solutions that would help resolve this problem. Which one do you choose to act upon as of today? When will you start? What do you expect to achieve?

The answers commit the child to take action, to make a plan and to look forward to a positive outcome.

4) Knowing yourself, which are the strategies you could be tempted to use to sabotage this action?

Blame the teacher, not being able to say no to a friend, spending too much time online.

5) What signs do you think will indicate to you that you are on the right path?

Encourages the child to visualise success.

Succeeding

This type of coaching encourages finding new points of reference and techniques. «

For more information Marie Dewulf, 06.244.01.355 info@coach2moveon.com www.coach2moveon.com.

access | autumn | 17

Dutch Design shopping

New blue Photo by www.cameron-studio.nl

Everybody knows Delft blue pottery.

It was found as a cheaper alternative to the valuable Chinese porcelain. Factories started producing tiles, plates and vases.

Nowadays the souvenir shops are full of Delft blue windmills, canal houses and ‘wooden’ shoes. But we’ve found more original items with the centuries old print.

Since the Netherlands is the world’s Number One cycling country, we have to make our ‘steel horses’ a showpiece. The cycle-bags from Esschert Design prove functionality can absolutely be very cheerful, super handy and most hip! Visit any bike shop for an assortment of styles!

18 | access | autumn

My favourite

bookmark

Ring your bell!

Trendy bags add a splash of colour and style!

Since the bicycle bell became compulsory on Dutch bicycles in 1906, it went through a long development. No longer enormous, rusty steel things with a sound of sand and dust, but modern, cute plastic ones with a charming Delft blue print giving a happy ring. So ring your bell!

Bicycle bell € 5,95 www.hiphollandhip.nl.

Booklovers alert! No more dog-ears or free bookmarks with ads for your favourite book, but a beautiful handmade bookmark, made from silver­coloured metal and ceramic. Now you won’t lose your place…

Bookmark € 8,95/6,95 www.delftsblauwesieraden.nl.

Ocean

Looking for an original Dutch gift that can be sent by mail? This K’Do Ding (literally: gift thing) is a foldable carton.

The happy recipient may fold it as a box or bowl, use it as a package wrapping or thanks to the coating even use it as a vase. A perfect match accented with red tulips!

K’Do Ding of Coen € 24,95 www.thinkingofholland.com.

treasures

Suppose, on the bottom of the South Chinese Sea you find a ship’s wreck from the VOC era. (East India Company). In the wreck are porcelain treasures from the 17th century Ming dynasty. The undamaged plates were auctioned off for €7.000,-. So, why not make jewellery out of the broken shards, as Saskya & Co does? All pieces of jewellery are one-of-a-kind and provided with a certificate of authenticity.

Bracelet € 249,- www.saskyasouvenirs.nl. Prices as from € 110,- to circa € 300,-.

Multi

functional

Check

mate!

Chess boring? For chess lovers or Holland fans, to play a game, or to place on the side table as decoration, with this beautiful board, chess becomes fun! The wooden figures come in white and indigo blue. Did you ever beat a white horse with a blue lady?

Chess board € 12,95 www.jolandaschultz.de.

East West Home is best Just because it is so traditional… for the Dutch speaking amongst you: also available with Dutch sayings and proverbs. To remind you that all clichés are really true.

Bathroom tile € 3,50 www.hollandsouvenirshop.nl.

What’s the story with the Dutchies and their shoes? In the old days they used to walk on wooden shoes, now they’ve come out with flip flops in Delft blue print… Just press them easily out of the tulip flower. In the sizes 34/35, 36/37, 38/39 en 40/41.

Slippers € 8,95 www.kadoomdehoek.nl.

Indian summer days For

Flower or flip flops?

Who says summer is over? In Holland, September weather can be unexpectedly warm and sunny. So keep the Holland Box ready to go. Fill it up with chicken wings, salmon wraps, home made tuna salad, club sandwiches and off you go to the park or the beach. The box has a fast-lock toggle that fits on the front, or rear carrier, on your bicycle.

Holland Box € 49,95 www.fastrider.nl. access | autumn | 19

Health

De-mystifying Coaching It is hard to believe that 10 years ago coaching was relatively unheard of in Europe. But since then the growth of the profession has been phenomenal. In this article, I will try to de-mystify coaching, explaining what it is and what it isn’t, and provide tips on how to choose a coach.

By Jacinta Noonan

20 | access | autumn

What is coaching?

Why would I hire a coach?

Coaching can be used in any area of your life where you feel you are not living up to your full potential. You might decide to use a coach if you are at a turning point and need some clarity on which path to take.

Or maybe you want to create more work/ life balance but find yourself making excuses instead of changes.

Perhaps you have a passion that you’ve always wanted to follow but never dared go for it. You might be struggling with a new promotion and need support as you adjust to the new role. Maybe the lack of progress with your fitness/weight loss goals finally motivates you to get help. Almost any situation can be improved through coaching.

Coaching can help you find your passion in life!

First of all, let’s try to define coaching – if that’s at all possible. The International Coach Federation, (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential.”

What does this mean?

Coaching aims to help you to achieve your goals and aspirations and at the same time help you to overcome the barriers holding you back. Coaching is about challenging comfort zones, changing habits, revising beliefs and celebrating achievements.

It’s about getting fresh perspectives, enhancing thinking skills and improving personal effectiveness. The role of your coach is to facilitate this process by using coaching skills, for example powerful questioning techniques. Together with your coach you define inspiring goals, ­formulate a strategy and create a plan to help you realise your goals. Your coach will hold you accountable to the commitments you make to yourself, thus ensuring you remain focussed and on track. When working with a coach, people tend to move beyond what they would normally achieve on their own.

What coaching is not!

Coaching is not therapy. Coaching does not try to resolve deeper underlying issues which are the cause of more serious problems. Therapy is an appropriate intervention if you are going through a major life crisis or are extremely distressed by a personal issue. Therapy will tend to focus on the past and how that impacts the present.

A coach will not help you explore your past and deeper psychological issues. This is the role of therapy. Coaching is present and future focussed and is action oriented, taking you from OK to Great! A degree in psychology, therefore, is not a prerequisite to being a coach.

Coaching is not mentoring or training

Mentors and trainers are experts in a particular field who pass on their knowledge and expertise to a novice. In coaching, YOU are considered the expert on you and the coach is the expert on questioning, active

listening, reflecting back, etc. in order to help you unlock your inner resources and keep you moving forward.

It is said a coach does NOT need to have knowledge of the industry in which they are coaching and in fact sometimes it is better if they don’t! However, we now see that coaches often specialise in an area that is related to their previous experience. For example, a former marketing executive might decide to promote themselves as the marketing coach. A photographer friend of mine found a coach specialising in helping photographers and she loved it because she felt he really ‘got’ what her issues were.

What types of coaching are there?

Coaching is not yet a regulated profession and therefore coaching classifications are inconsistent. In general, you can think of coaching as having these main categories: • Personal/Life Coaching – which focuses on helping individuals in any area of their personal lives. E.g. life purpose, relationships, work/life balance, confidence and self-esteem, health, stress management, career choices.

• Small Business Coaching – which focuses on supporting entrepreneurs, owners or managers of small businesses.

• Corporate/Business Coaching – which aims to improve the individual’s performance and operational effectiveness in the business environment.

• Executive Coaching – which is specifically focused at senior management level and CEOs. A coach is expected to be comfortable exploring business related topics at this level.

The coaching profession is now diversifying into specialist areas. For example, you can find Leadership coaches, Career

coaches, Relationship coaches, Health coaches, Weight Loss coaches, Performance coaches, Transformational Coaches, Youth coaches to name but a few.

New specialities are popping up all the time.

How do I choose a coach?

Before choosing a coach, do your homework. Too many people call themselves a coach without having had any formal coach training. Therefore you must be diligent in asking for the credentials of your coach, finding out about their background and the coaching philosophy or model which underpins their coaching work. A qualified coach will have completed a coach-specific training, will have achieved a designated number of experience hours and will have been coached by a mentor coach. Finally, your coach should be accountable to the code of ethics and standards set forth by a reputable coaching body, e.g. the ICF. Aside from qualifications, another important ingredient in the coaching relationship is the ‘click’ between you both. It is important that you feel completely comfortable with the coach and that you feel you can trust them implicitly. Interview two or three coaches before making a decision and trust your intuition. A coach should never pressure you to sign up for coaching and don’t feel obligated to work with him or her if it doesn’t feel right. You can find a helpful list of questions to ask a coach from the ICF website.

Coaching is a wonderful tool to help you achieve your full potential. Coaches come in all shapes and sizes, they are passionate about helping people and, without a doubt, there is a coach out there who is just perfect for you. «

Resources: Coaching bodies

•

International Coach Federation (ICF) www.coachfederation.org USA based Association for Coaching www.associationforcoaching.com UK based Nederlandse Order van Beroepscoaches (NOBCO) www.nobco.nl Netherlands based European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) www.emccouncil.org Europe based

• • •

Coaching Schools

• Coach U

www.coachinc.com Co-active coaching www.thecoaches.com/coach-training Results Coaching www.resultscoachingsystems.co.uk Coachville www.coachville.com

• •

About the author:

With a passion for helping people to achieve their true potential, Jacinta Noonan’s career as a coach and trainer is more a divine calling than a job choice.

She is the founder and director of www. soulworks.nl for personal coaching, for body image and weight loss coaching www.bigontheinside.com and www. branch-out.eu for corporate coaching.

E-mail: jacinta@bigontheinside.com

access | autumn | 21

DIJKMAN PUBLISHERS UITGEVERS / SPONSORED MEDIA Dijkman Publishers is a multimedia publisher in the center of The Hague. We are specialized in development, production and publishing of sponsored media including websites. Dijkman Publishers focuses for a large extent on real estate and semipublic branches like housing, health care, welfare and education. Our strength is fluent and accessible editorial content without losing the message.

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The bigger picture Koninginnegracht 8 P.O.Box 84416, 2508 AK The Hague, the Netherlands. T: +3170 302 33 00, Contact: J. Dijkman

Maastricht

Travel

You will be at a loss to find windmills, wooden shoes or tulip fields. If you are interested in history, churches, or shopping this is the city for you.

By Sheila Gazaleh-weevers

Maastricht is the capital of Limburg, the most southerly province of the Netherlands, which hugs the borders of Germany and Belgium. A scenic province which offers farmland and woods in the north, flat river and lakes in the centre to hilly, undulating countryside in the south. It was populated as early as 750 BC, became a Roman settlement with villas, hot spring baths, and vineyards. Vulnerable by its situation, it was often under siege by the Dutch, the Spanish and the French. Hence the need for its fortifications.

Following the period of Spanish rule, the north and south developed differently, the north becoming a maritime trading region where Dutch was spoken, and the Catholic

south (Brabant and Limburg), developing coal-mining and manufacturing, but speaking French and Flemish. Perhaps influenced by their neighbours, Limburgers are known to be hospitable bon vivants, who appreciate good food and fine wines.

Maastricht is a vibrant cultural, educational and political centre with a prosperous but turbulent past. It has a wealth of history, art, culture, and matching tradition, and is known for its countless ancient churches, elegant historic buildings, and its city walls.

More recently (1991) the agreement to establish the European Union and a common currency was historically signed here.

access | autumn | 23

Travel

More of Maastricht

• Crossroads web magazine, edited by Sueli Brodin contains a wealth of

information on Maastricht region, news and activities. She is a French/ Brazilian/Dutch resident, living here since 1994, who won the Expat of the Year 2010 award. www.crossroadsmag.eu The new Expat Guide for the Maastricht Region 2010 ‘Bright site of life’ with 33 pages of essential information. Download your free copy: www.zuidlimburg.nl/upload/div/expat-guide-maastricht-region.pdf Find out more about the Maastricht region with culture, housing and much more. www.maastrichtregion.com International Women’s Club of South Limburg www.iwc-sl.nl The VVV Tourist information www.vvvzuidlimburg.nl VVV Maastricht, Kleine Staat 1 6211 ED, T: 043 325 21 21 More city information can be found on www.maastricht.eu

• • • • •

Maastricht has a lively international atmosphere, pavement cafes, culture, good food and great shopping. Different from the rest of this country, you will be at a loss to find windmills, wooden shoes or tulip fields.

If you are interested in history, churches, or shopping this is the city for you. To begin with the churches, make for the Basilica of St. Servatius. A Medieval cruciform basilica, which among its many important treasures boasts the remains of the city’s first bishop and the largest bell in the country.

Close by is St. Janskerk, built in the 14th century, with a tower you can climb.

24 | access | autumn

The Vrijthof, Maastricht’s large and very popular square is just behind. Full of colourful shops and restaurants, it is where many festivals take place - though in former times it was where executions took place.

Walk on past the Dominican Church to the Markt square and the Town Hall, which is also open to visitors. North of the Markt is St Matthias’ Church and close by, the Dinghuis, Kleine Staat 1. Built in 1470, it was the seat of the Chief Justice but is now home to Maastrichts Tourist Office.

Do not miss the two principle museums, the Derlon Museum in the Derlon Hotel and the Bonnefanten Museum. Built in 1983 in the oldest part of the city on what was a garden, the plot of the Derlon Hotel, it transpired, hid the remains of a Roman settlement which together with its artifacts were then cleverly incorporated into the design of the hotel basement. Across the river from the old town centre, is the Bonnefante Museum with its archeological relics as old as 250,000 BC. It has also medieval art, sculpture, silver etc. as well as contemporary art exhibits.

The Fortifications of Maastricht will be of interest to military buffs. Originally built by the Romans, those remaining were built in the 13th century. The VVV has a brochure to guide you on a walk along them, pointing out the Hell Gate, the Plague House, the Natural History Museum, the Bishops Mill, St. Martin’s Almshouses and more.

In October, there is a three-hour guided tour of the Casements (1575-1825), the underground mining passageways which were later used as hiding places and for the movement of troops. (VVV reservations necessary.)

Special Offer: Similarly the Caves of Mount St. Peter, labyrinths of hundreds of years of mining excavation some 124 miles long, which have been a place of refuge for centuries.

Emergency provisions from WW1 and WW11 can still be seen and names, dates and hometowns are also still visible scratched into the walls. Not to be missed are the 37 acres of Linie van du Moulin, a complex of fortifications (1773-1737 with dry trenches, bomb-proof shelters and mine galleries. (One-hour guided tour.)

large park on the edge of town and is both unique and affordable, while the Kruis­ heren­hotel is a restored monastery, complete with church, in the middle of town.

Author Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers has produced nine editions of Here’s Holland the Expats’ comprehensive guidebook to travelling and living in the Netherlands. «

For complementary information, addresses, and particulars a copy of Here’s Holland can be purchased from ACCESS at the special price of €24.50 Also from bookshops, VVV City Tourist Offices and Help Desks, Amazon.com or, publisher@heresholland.com for €27.50 incl. postage. www.heresholland.com

Events in Maastricht draw tourists from far and wide. Here the biggest manifestation of Carnival in the country is held the week before Lent; the famous International Antique Fair in March; the St. Servatius Fair in May; the Burgundian Gastronomic Festivities in August, and the colourful Christmas market throughout December, all on the Vrijtof. The weekly antique and curio market is held Saturdays 10 am to 4pm.

Staying over is highly recommended and there are hotels for all purses, from the usual chains to the Delon mentioned above. But here you can also find unusual accommodation in a castle or a covent.

The well restored Kasteel Vaeshartelt is in a access | autumn | 25

Volunteer Profile

Spanish, French I remember my small self braving the adult world by claiming high and loud “I am American.” Our oldest son did the same when he was five years old with curly blond hair claiming aloud: I am Guinean! (His first country!!)

Photo by Valérie Bernardini

Culinary & wine expertise The Wine Series Learn all about fascinating wines with Anne Nielsen de Bérard’s wine workshops! www.anneswines.com

Anne Nielsen de Bérard is one of many people who are completely immersed in an international lifestyle, while setting up her own business and actively taking part in the British School of the Netherlands community.

Meeting Anne, we were curious to find out more.

26 | access | autumn

Q: So Anne, where do you come from?

I grew up in a bicultural family: my father is of mixed Spanish and French background whereas my mother is entirely French. My siblings and I grew up sharing summer between Spain and France.

Already back then we realised that we were different: In France we were called the Spanish and in Spain the “Frenchies”: We were both though! It grew even more international when our father moved the whole family to the US, in a small town Jackson Tennessee, for a few years before reaching something “slightly” bigger: Detroit.

There our feelings were not clear: we just wanted to be part of something, to belong to one culture.

Q: How did you arrive in the Netherlands?

Obviously that wide opening to the world at such an early stage in my life had its down sides: we had no clue where we belonged. However, what was certain, above all, was that we were “different” everywhere we went! We had two unconscious choices to make: either we had to reject completely that extremely international aspect of our lives OR we had to embrace it, maintain it, and go even further into differences. We chose the latter: I married a Dane and left my home country for many years, having lived in many places; Africa, United Kingdom, Denmark and now the Netherlands for the past four years. My brother expatriated himself to Japan, opening the family to a new world that we hardly knew, with our lovely Japanese sister-in-law.

Q: That is indeed an international family. How do you cope with such a variety of cultures within your own family?

Today, and looking back at our youth, it has been a wonderful experience of tolerance and patience. Always wanting to know more and discover more. Someone said that children, who speak various languages at an early age, do not tend to try to make their surroundings understand them, but instinctively try to find how their surroundings might communicate with them: which is a totally different approach.

and Dutch relations For example, it is amazing to see my Japanese niece and nephew trying to explain things to my Danish mother-in-law by trying to find words she can relate to (the reverse is true as well, my children trying to show my Japanese “family” in Tokyo how much they appreciate being in Japan).

“ Get involved with all kind of groups and activities.”

Q: How did you settle here in The Hague?

Very easily, probably the easiest country to settle in with exception to London!

However, after travelling so much around the world I have learned a few tricks: get involved very quickly with all kind of groups and activities to avoid being alone and thinking negatively. Then open yourself up to new ways of doing things, of thinking; if they do it this way, it might be for a reason that I do not know or understand yet, but worth trying to respect. Then a bit of luck, I suppose: my husband strongly pushed me to recommence my

ACCESS needs you!

wine studies when we were in London.

Today I have my own wine and spirits business and this allows me to “carry” my job around the world whilst enjoying the freedom of an independent activity and insuring my children settle smoothly in any new environment.

Q: How are the children doing?

Our children are attending the British School, which I guess is another oddity in our family. Being a total stranger to the British education system I thought I would participate in helping the community: now I end up being the Chair of the PTA (Parent Teacher Association). Being involved in such a responsibility without the stress of a normal job is a fantastic way to work with a team with their various personalities.

Furthermore, you get to know so many people that you would have missed otherwise; all of them rewarding to know: a big melting pot of ideas, attitudes and thinking.

Q: Where is home now?

That is probably the most challenging question. Undoubtedly all those experiences contribute to building up an incredi-

ble social network while increasing your comprehension of the world. We feel at home very quickly everywhere, especially in Europe, but you can have that feeling in various places: I felt at home while I was taking the metro in Tokyo and I could not read a word of Japanese, even with the tremendous effort our Japanese teacher put into teaching us before going there!!)

However, the hardest is to come back to your native country, whatever country it is, and feel that nothing has moved nor changed. This in a sense is true and not true. While travelling, I have changed and find it probably more difficult to settle in an environment I know well.

Worst of all, French natives living in France sometimes ask me if I would feel more comfortable switching to English! Many of my French words are not in daily use anymore so they do not think I am French! On an overall basis, the international life style is a daily challenge but rich enough in experience not to be missed, and not to mention we can support so many football teams!!! «

Amsterdam

We have some open positions that need to be filled by enthusiastic volunteers. Are you interested in using your skills to help ACCESS become even better? Just contact your ACCESS office of choice. Would you be interested in editing this magazine? We’re looking for an Editor /web-editor for editing our website which will be re-launched later this year. And of course writers to contribute articles. Photographers are also welcome, and proof readers. Come join the ACCESS editorial team!

Please contact Lucie Scott at edirector@access-nl.org

• Advertising Sales • Fund Raising • Marketing The Hague • Advertising Sales • Fund Raising • Marketing • Database • Finance

access | autumn | 27

The BSN is a leading British international school with four campuses in The Hague area.

We are a thriving and supportive expatriate community made up from over 80 nationalities. We offer a stimulating learning environment and the highest standards of education for children aged 3-18 years.

Their

Contact us today to arrange a visit and see for yourself why the BSN is The International Choice.

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Your child. Their future. Our School.

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Admissions: 070 315 4077 www.britishschool.nl

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This is the only place to shop for your everyday groceries, speciality goods and seasonal treats!

Come to the shop or go online 070 358 7586 thehague@thomasgreen.nl www.thomasgreen.nl Frederik Hendriklaan 71, 2582 BT, Den Haag , KvK : 2727138 4 Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 09:30 -18:00, Thurs: 09:30 - 20:00, Sat: 09:30 -17:30, Sun: 10:00 -17:00

Arts & Entertainment

The Residentie Bach Ensembles Do you know Johann Sebastian Bach? Of course you do! What you probably do not know is that the Residentie Bach Ensembles, consisting of the Residentie Bachkoor, the Residentie Kamerkoor and the Residentie Bachorkest, perform various compositions by Bach in some of the most atmospheric churches in The Hague. And we’ve been doing this already for more than a century.

Every season is built around the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, where the grand works for Choir and Orchestra are performed. This year in the holiday season we will bring you Bach’s Magnificat and an anthology of his Weihnachtsoratorium. In between you will hear Corelli’s famous Christmas Concerto’. The concert will take place on Friday, December 17, in the Kloosterkerk on Lange Voorhout, in The Hague. Our artistic leader Jos Vermunt will conduct the Residentie Kamerkoor, the Residentie Bachorkest and five soloists with international reputations.

outstanding quality. Every last Sunday of the month we perform one of the Bach cantatas during the service in the Kloosterkerk.

We encourage you to join these very impressive events. Entry is free, but after the service you are welcome to make a voluntary contribution if you so desire. Check the website www. kloosterkerk.nl for details.

Modern compositions

Although Bach plays a leading role in our season, both choirs do other repertoire as well. The Residentie Kamerkoor has a reputation of giving concerts with modern compositions. You are welcome to our concert with American 20th-century choir music on Friday November 5 in the Paleiskerk in the Paleisstraat, The Hague.

The Residentie Bachkoor tends to do the more oratorio-like compositions. Last season we did Britten’s War Requiem in a tribute to the end of World War II in the Netherlands, 65 years ago.

In October, our season’s opening night is offered with the Requiem by Duruflé, preceded by works from Bruckner, Brahms and Cornelius, on Friday October 8 in the Lutherse Kerk, Lutherse Burgwal, Den Haag. As you can see, the Residentie Bach Ensembles are prominently present in The Hague’s musical scene.

We strongly support our city as the International City for Peace and Justice, by regularly organising concerts with a peace and/or justice character, and welcome foreign guests! For more information or to order tickets visit our website www.bachensembles.nl. «

On the eve of Easter 2011, you are most welcome to join our performance of Bach’s St. John Passion. On Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 the Residentie Bachkoor and the Residentie Bachorkest will perform this more dramatic passion in the Grote Kerk in the city centre, with Jos Vermunt, joined by six soloists of

Photo by www.artfotos.nl

Passions

access | autumn | 29

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Arts & Entertainment

Life’s a dramatic comedy in English Theatre has something magical, from the moment you take your seat to the curtain rising, there is a sense of anticipation….the mood is set, glowing stage lights, scenic back drops, the actors, costumes, props, and dialogue, all combine for an experience that just can’t compare to film. So fancy a night at the theatre, then check out these thespian offerings!

Founded in 1950, In Players International Drama Group Amsterdam are Amsterdam’s oldest English language theatre company. The group’s distinguishing feature is its innovative approach to a broad repertoire, ranging from modern classics, musicals and Christmas pantomimes and including original plays written by members of the company. The annual subsidy they receive from the Amsterdam city council reflects their unique status in the Dutch theatre world: www.inplayers.org Every night of the week, Boom Chicago presents an Englishlanguage comedy show which is invariably hilarious. The actors are professional comedians, recruited from the United States and brought out to Amsterdam for a season. The material is mostly topical and somewhat controversial but also includes an amusing look at the Amsterdam experience from a foreigner’s perspective. www.boomchicago.nl Easy Laughs performs most Friday nights at the Crea Theater on the campus of the University of Amsterdam; There are two shows each week starting at 8:30pm and 10:30pm.

No two shows are the same, but always funny: www.easylaughs.nl The AATG, English language theatre in The Hague, have been putting on plays since 1951. For the past few years they have staged three major theatrical events every year - usually an evening of one-

act plays in the spring, a major production in the autumn and a pantomime just after Christmas. Interspersed with these are smaller productions and experimental theatre. In all, we’ve run the gamut from Will Shakespeare to Willy Russell, and some works penned by members of the group. www.atag.nl The English Theatre STET promotes and produces professional English language theatre in The Hague and beyond. Christmas can hardly start without the famous performance of Ashley Ramsden’s Christmas Carol, whilst also new and exciting work as well as comedy is an integral part of the year long program offered

by STET. STET works closely together with Hague based international theatre companies TUSK, Operadans and comedy troupe The Cyclepaths. Performances take place in regular theatres and at unusual but fascinating locations, www.theenglishtheatre.nl TUSK international theatre company provides English language theatre by internationally trained performers and artists, in cooperation with STET. Different backgrounds and training methods deliver a wide and open-minded approach to our community and culture. TUSK’s team of actors, directors and artists provides our audiences with both modern and classic plays.TUSK also stages translated work of Dutch playwrights. http://tusktheatre.net « access | autumn | 31

Education

It’s all talk What’s in a word?

That depends on which language you’re speaking. With some 6,912 known living languages worldwide, there’s plenty to talk about! And written language only started to be used some 5,500 years ago.

By Nikki Young

32 | access | autumn

Dating back to the biblical account of the confusion of languages mentioned in Genesis during the construction of the Tower of Babel, humans have had multiple linguistic challenges in communicating effectively. With diverse languages all over the earth, people were limited in their ability to be understood. A related word in Hebrew, “balal” means “confusion.”

However, since that scattering of peoples who did not understand one another’s speech, language learning continues to bring the world’s people closer together.

Speaking of …

One out of every five people on earth can speak English to some level of competence. English is the first language of about 380 million people and the second language to between 150 million to 1 billion people, ranking number two. Around 30 percent of the British population speaks a language other than English, though 50% with another language as a mother tongue.

In the United States, 22 percent of the population speaks a language other than English, mainly Spanish; which many of these people have as their first language.

Chinese on the other hand ranks number one with more than 1.3 billion speakers, if considered as a single language.

Mandarin, (800 million) Wu (90 million) and Cantonese (80 million) are the most common sub-types, and then of course there are numerous dialects. Hindustani or Hindi-Urdu counts 541 million native speakers in India and Pakistan, and 904 million worldwide. With increased business investment in the Asian Pacific Rim, many more people choose to do language studies in Chinese and Hindustani. The University of Leiden is the only school in Holland where a degree programme is possible in sinology (Chinese studies).

India and China, over 500 million, now exceeds the total number of mothertongue English speakers elsewhere in the world.

In the Netherlands, children in primary school also begin learning English at an early age, and in high school (middelbare) often study four languages, Dutch, German, French and English.

European cultures

As for French, 180 million people speak it, and it is the official language of 29 countries. About 10% of the world’s francophone’s are Canadian. French is one of Canada’s two official languages. It is also the language of diplomatic life and international tribunes as well as the EU patent office. It is the 2nd EU language after English. You can learn French almost anywhere in the world, which is convenient if you are transferred a lot. Alliance Française has 1,130 institutes in 138 countries. They are all non-profit local associations, with native French speaking teachers. They combine French culture with language learning and organise special activities for students.

speakers, with 128 million using it as a second language. Dutch has some 22 million speakers worldwide, ranking it about 40th.

So learning ‘Nederlands’ doesn’t put you in a large group of speakers.

Multiple language skills are essential in today’s global village for doing business and for understanding other cultures.

These new polyglots, and the companies that employ them, have significant competitive advantages over their single language rivals, including a vital understanding of different cultures, in a world faced with rapid globalisation.

Have a look at www.ethnologue.com and their catalogue of an estimated 8,000 languages, living and dead, in the Lingual Links library. «

Resources

Polyglots

Monolingual English graduates “face a bleak economic future” as multilingual competitors flood into the workforce from all corners of the globe. According to a report commissioned by the British Council, “The competitive advantage of speaking English is ebbing away,” commented linguistic consultant David Graddol, the author of the report. “Once everyone speaks English, advantage can only be maintained by having something else, other skills, such as speaking several languages.” More than half of all primary school children in China now learn English and the number of English speakers in

Spanish is spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide. The entire continent of South America speaks primarily Spanish, as does just about all of Central America, Mexico and Latin America, over 15 countries in total, (aside from Brazil, which speaks Portuguese). By learning Spanish fluently you can often understand enough Italian and French to get by in communicating with people who speak those romantic languages. Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world. Italian speakers, some 80 million, are located primarily in Italy, of course! German counts 110 million native

www.berlitz.com www.lingurama.nl www.lexicon.nl www.alliance-francaise.nl www.babel.nl www.language-unites.org www.bltc.nl www.icb-leiden.nl/en/opmaat.htm www.iberlingua.nl www.directdutch.com www.britishschool.nl www.reginacoeli.nl www.vtn-online.nl www.taalthuis.com www.britishschool.nl/languagecentre www.bltc.nl www.dutchforexpats.nl www.stiftungsprachkurse.nl www.polytaal.nl

access | autumn | 33

Lifestyle

My Pug and I

By Olivia van den Broek-Neri ACCESS volunteer

The people of the Netherlands love their dogs, all 1.8 million! Soon after moving here we welcomed Pepper, a Mopshond (Chinese Pug) into our home and we cannot imagine life without her. Four years later Pepper has grown into a member of our family who requires effort and time, but who gives back greater rewards!

Pepper’s favourite time of the day (aside from eating and sleeping) is going out on her daily walks. Discovering the many dog parks near my home was a pleasant surprise for Pepper and me. The “geen aanlijnplicht”(no leash required) sign permits me to take Pepper off her leash to visit and play with other dogs, while it gives me a chance to chat with other dog owners, and to practice my Dutch! Of course there are options for dog parents who do not have time to take their dogs out for daily walks. There are many hondenuitlaatservice (dog-walking services) available.

Not everyone is a dog lover

Pepper respects her neighbours and is careful around children. She stays away from children’s playgrounds and private property. If there is a sign that says “verboden voor honden” (dogs forbidden) or “geen hondenuitlaaten,” she steers clear. Being a responsible pet owner, we never leave home without a pooper-scooper and bags!

The Netherlands is “opruimverplicht” (cleaning up after your dog is required) and there are fines in place for those who do not do so, plus we do not want to litter the streets.

A dog’s education

Pepper did not become the dog she is today alone. She attends school, where we have both learned a lot. When we first registered for Puppy Class, I did not speak a word of Dutch. Luckily for me, my Dutch husband 34 | access | autumn

stood patiently on the sidelines and interpreted for me, and our instructors were both patient and supportive with Pepper and me. This was what kept me going when otherwise I would have dropped out of the class. The fact that Pepper is loveable also helped. Over time I learned Dutch and was able to follow the class on my own. I am proud to say that Pepper is the only bilingual dog in her class – fluent in Dutch and English!

Even Pepper has to pay taxes

Although a permit for dogs is not required in the Netherlands, a Hondenbelasting (dog tax) is charged annually and is calculated on the number of dogs in each household.

Dogs must also be registered with the Gemeentelijke Belastingdienst (Municipal Tax Department).

Pepper also has her very own

EU-dierenpaspoort (European Union Pet Passport) that she must use when travelling outside of the Netherlands. The passport includes vaccination information, her microchip number, my name and address, and a description of her, including her breed, sex, age, and colour. All that is missing is her picture!

“Hi, I am Pepper’s owner…”

Dog owners can attest to the fact that owners lose their identity and simply come to be recognised by their dog. But I do not mind this, and am slowly getting to know the first names of other dog owners in my neighbourhood. This is important to do.

Several months ago my husband and I spotted a lost dog that was not wearing a collar. We did not want to call the dierenasiel or dierenopvangcentrum (pound) immediately so we looked for the owners ourselves. We went to the main street to see if anyone was looking for this adorable long-haired Chihuahua, but to no avail. Hours later as my husband and I stood in front of our house with the lost dog, two girls ran up to us and claimed their dog. My husband told them, “Put a collar and name tag on him!”

We cringe at the thought of our beloved Pepper ever being lost. But in case she ever does get out, I think that most people in our neighbourhood know her. Maybe it is because we routinely go on walks or perhaps the fact that she has a very distinct high-pitched bark, whatever the reason, our neighbours seem to know that I am the American lady with Pepper, de mopshond – and I wouldn’t have it any other way! «

Hondenbelasting (dog tax) is charged annually and is calculated on the number of dogs in each household.

Going on separate vacations

When we go on vacation to the US, Pepper stays at a hondenpension (kennel). The first time we left her was difficult, even though we knew she would be safe since our veterinarian recommended the kennel, and a friend had also left her dog there. It helped that the kennel emailed pictures of her to us while we were away. Several times a day, she was able to play with other dogs and we knew how much she liked that. I now feel secure leaving her, though I will always miss her when we are apart!

DO’s and DON’Ts with dogs in Holland Poop! Anyone walking a dog must be carrying a suitable item with which to “scoop the • poop”, failure to clean up after your pet will result in a fine. Use a paper bag, a plastic bag or a special ‘poop scoop’ available at pet shops, vets and municipal offices. party - Dogs are allowed on beaches except during the summer months, although • Beach some beaches will allow animals on leads in the early morning or late evening. All mess should be cleared up, and the owner is responsible for the dog’s behaviour while it is on the beach. There are signs indicating whether it should be on a lead or not.

Dieren Ambulance is a nationwide animal ambulance service with regional centers in • Help!

Rotterdam and The Hague. Call to report injured or lost animals. Dieren Ambulance nationwide telephone: 0900 0245.

access | autumn | 35

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Lifestyle

Culture shock:

Brazil vs Holland Have you just arrived in the Netherlands? Are you an expat here for many years? So, you may get in touch with different cultures, behaviours and habits. This article describes a shock between the Tropical and European culture in daily life. Hopefully you will identify and enjoy these peculiar situations.

By Valéria Ramos access volunteer

Unusual and curious situations – it is what you probably have to face when you left behind your country, and live in a completely different land. Don’t forget that you keep carrying the background and the culture of your previous home. Perhaps if you find yourself in a similar situation, you may identify with some of the stories in this article. In my case, I left Brazil in the end of the summer 2005 and I have found my new home in the Netherlands. During this period, I have to face a behaviour shock, and sometimes it is funny, but not always.

One good example is the Brazilian greetings: you are supposed to always be very warm and say a lot of small phrases: “Take care… – See you soon – Greetings for the family – And after all this small talk, you

should embrace the person and give at least three kisses. So? Just after I had arrived in the Netherlands I asked a Dutch Master Nurse if we could greet in Brazilian way. We did, and then he told me: “This is not decent.” Shock! Of course, the situation finishes in a very embarrassed way.

After that, I understand that just shaking hands is good enough here. A question: “Why can’t we mix the greetings being warm and respectful at the same time?”

restaurant by the beach in The Hague and I was only 10 minutes late. So a family member started to shout at me and speak badly about me, like I had committed a crime.

Shock! I was really concerned! Anyway, I have learned my lesson: from that moment, I always try my very best to be precisely punctual. A question: “Why can’t we not be punctual, but simultaneously, to tolerate possible small delays?”

Where does your word count?

Just on time

Ah! That was a difficult one. You know, usually, we are not very punctual in Brazil, especially if it is a social event. If you want to socialise, you may count on small or big delays from families and friends. So on a Saturday evening I had a family dinner at a

A remarkable behaviour shock is how your word counts differently in these two countries. Here in Holland if a person says something, you know that person will do as she/he said (or promised). For example, here, sometimes I have an appointment three or four months ahead and it is no access | autumn | 37

Lifestyle

problem. Even if I do not speak or meet the person in the meantime, I know he/she will be there, at the right date and right time (punctually, of course). So you can easily trust people. Even more: you can plan your life smoothly. In Brazil, it is different. The relations are more informal… This seems to allow you to not keep your word.

It is quite common to say something and

“ Brazilians and the Dutch have different ways of relating with each other.” afterwards forget about it… For example, I remember a friend who always forgets to confirm our meetings and sometimes she didn’t even come on the right time, date and place. Perhaps you had counted on that appointment and it was just waste of time and energy.

Suggestion to think about: We can definitely learn something about doing business in different cultures!

Dutch Carnaval Every Spring, Dutch Carnival is celebrated on the Saturday thru Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. (seven weeks before Easter). The main Carnival provinces are Limburg and (south) Brabant, near the Belgian border, with Maastricht usually regarded as top Carnival town.

Fetivities include a parade, elaborate costumes, a fake prince plus cortège (“Council of 11”), the boerenbruiloft (farmer’s wedding) and the haring happen (eating herring) on Ash Wednesday.

Marching bands (‘Zaate Hermeniekes’ or ‘Drunken Marching Bands’) traditionally perform on the streets.

Though less numerous, Carnival towns in the north are no less enthusiastic and their numbers seem to grow each year.

38 | access | autumn

In Brazil it is not elegant to do so and it is not discreet. So just another behaviour shock! To reflect: Perhaps, the ideal way it is to be more directly to the point, but with fewer questions.

Friendly or efficiently?

Even the character of these two cultures are completely different. Brazilians are always very warm and behave in a very friendly way. People are always smiling and try to understand you and help you…a very helpful person. This is one of the strongest characteristics of this tropical people.

Once when I arrived here five years ago, I went to buy fruit at the vegetable store and I said, smiling: “Hello, Good morning!”

They young guy answer back very dryly: “So what?”

The North European has the tendency to be less warm and smile very much. On the other hand, they are efficient, very efficient. And this includes the Dutch as well.

They are not so friendly, but you can count on it that they are very efficient in most cases.

Question: “Is it possible to be friendly and efficient simultaneously?”

Direct or indirect

Brazilians and the Dutch have different way of relating with each other. It is wellknown, that Dutch people are very direct and to the point in both social and professional live. You always start the conversation with the most important idea.

Brazilians do not behave like this, they are always beating around the bush, talk around and around, just in the end they say what the relevant issue is.

I would add that the Dutch like to ask a lot of questions. The other day I met an American-Dutch friend at Kralingse Plas, Rotterdam. After the lunch and some drinks, we had a walk in the park: it was one question after the other, non-stop!

Services and attention

I must comment on just one more example of the Dutch way of life. At the sport’s club, there is just one person who takes care of everything: the new clients, selling the drinks, cleaning the place and do not forget: she/he is also a gym instructor and helps people. To summarise, the professional here is multitasking. But, of course, you may often hear: “One minute please, I am busy now.”

In Brazil, the “normal rule” is one person, one task. Following the example of the sport’s club, the Brazilian gym instructor is exclusivly for taking care of the clients of the fitness facility. So actually, in that

tropical country, the clients are the king; you can count on much more attention and service.

The unexpected culture

The list of shock behaviour can go on and on. Probably you’ve picked up the idea in your daily life: different countries, different behaviours! I do not believe that one place is better than another, or superior, or more positive. The important thing is to understand that you may have different backgrounds, you may be born and raised in another way; so, of course, you may face a culture shock sometimes. Why not? But try to be tolerant with your new country, your new home. It is what enriches your life!

So just go out and try to get in touch with the unexpected… Welcome to Holland! «

Brazil vs Holland Figures Brazilian women , some of the world’s most beautiful, are proud of their round derrières.

Dutch women,are some of the world’s tallest, and pride themselves on having a flat bottom.

Dress Brazilians dress with a flair and judge others on their appearance.

Casual dress is more formal than in other countries, so dress well.

The Dutch tend to be very casual, and in the north, many dark colours are worn.

While following the fashion trends, they tend to under-dressing.

Time-wise In Brazil arrive at least 30 minutes late if the invitation is for dinner.

Arrive up to an hour late for a party or large gathering.

In Holland, always be promptly on time or five minutes early.

access | autumn | 39

Dutch comfort There’s something about stews that bring to mind the warmth of hearth and home, perhaps an idealised vision of our mother’s table and the hearty smells that linger in our sensory memory. Draadjesvlees is possibly the most famous Dutch stew – its very name indicating that the meat has been cooked for so long that it falls apart (‘draadjesvlees’ means ‘thready meat’). Don’t be put off by the lengthy cooking time either. This dish requires minimum preparation and the pot does all the work for you.

Preparation: Pat the meat dry with clean kitchen paper and cut into medium chunks. Heat the butter in a large pot (preferably a cast iron

one) and brown the meat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped onions and cook gently until soft and translucent.

Pour the stock into the pot. Now add the spices and vinegar and bring to a boil.

Once the stew comes to a boil, reduce the temperature to low, cover the pot with a lid and allow to simmer for at least 3 to 4 hours. Check every so often and add more water if required.

The dish is ready when the meat starts to disintegrate into threads and the liquid has reduced down to a thick gravy. Remove bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and whatever cloves and juniper berries you can find.

Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes, red cabbage and apples or poached pears and apple sauce. Serves 4.

Draadjesvlees Ingredie

• 1 kg stew

nts:

ing beef • 50 g butt er • Salt & Pep per • 3 large o nions, finel y chopped • 750 ml b eef/chicken stock • 1 cinnam on stick • 1 tsp jun iper berries • 3 bay lea ves • 4 cloves • 2 tbsp vi negar

40 | access | autumn

food classics Appeltaart If you haven’t already noticed, almost every café in Holland has a version of apple pie (appeltaart) on its menu. Perhaps the ultimate Dutch comfort food, it’s used both to celebrate and soothe.

Ingredients: • 300 g raisins nac) • 2 tbsp brandy (or cog • 2 eggs • 500 g self-raising flour butter • 300 g cubed (ice cold) • 175 g brown sugar

Preparation: In a small bowl, steep the raisins in the brandy for at least an hour (or put on high in the microwave for 2 minutes and allow to cool). Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius.

Karin Engelbrecht is the Guide to Dutch Food on About.com. For American measurements, Dutch food trends, cookbook and ­restaurant reviews and more recipes, visit http:// dutchfood.about.com

Whisk the eggs, adding most of it to the flour in a large mixing bowl (keep a tbsp of the egg behind to brush the pie with later).

Add the cubed butter, 175 g brown sugar, salt and lemon zest. Knead dough using a stand mixer with a dough attachment (or by hand) until the dough comes together into a ball.

Set aside for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel and core the apples, cut them into bite-sized pieces and mix with the sultanas, lemon juice, the remaining brown sugar and spices. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the apples and mix well.

Grease a large spring-form pie dish and use 3/4 of the dough to cover the bottom

and sides of the dish. The easiest way to do this is to wet your hands and shape it by hand, pressing the dough into the pie dish into a uniform thickness.

Add the apple mixture to the pie dish and press filling down firmly. Use the rest of the dough to make the lattice topping.

Make longish sausage shapes by rolling the dough between your palms (you’ll need about 5 strips). Arrange 3 strips one way and 2 the other way, pressing softly to fix it to the sides, and then fold the dough back in towards the pie. It should not be hang-

• A pinch of salt • Zest of 1/2 lemon h as • 1.85 kg tart apples, suc

Goudreinet • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 75 g brown sugar • 2 tsp ground cinnamon spices • 1 tsp ‘speculaaskruiden’ aizena) • 1 tbsp corn starch (m

ing over the pie dish, otherwise it will stick.

But don’t worry about being too neat, the pie will rise and hide a multitude of sins.

Brush the pastry with the egg wash and place in the oven to bake for approximately one hour. Allow the pie to cool in the tin and then carefully turn out. Serve with whipped cream, or vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. Serves about 12 slices. « access | autumn | 41

A Whole World In One School

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ACCESS courses - Amsterdam

please register for courses on-line at www.access-nl.org, or telephone ACCESS Amsterdam, 020 - 423 32 17

Date / Time

Title

Details

Location

Cost

Contact

Childbirth and Baby Courses Tuesdays from 19.00-21.00, sessions run regularly every two months

Childbirth Preparation Course

Very popular six-session course, presented by a Dutch-English speaking, qualified midwife, aimed at expectant mothers in their last few months of pregnancy.

British School of Amsterdam, Anthonie v.

Dijckstraat 1, Amsterdam

€ 195 5 sessions 1 post­ natal

Truus Gale, midwife E: ced-ams@access-nl.org

Available on request

Childbirth Preparation – Individual sessions

Individual sessions cover your particular interests and worries. Preparation for delivery, breathing and massage/relaxation exercises for the different stages of labour and tips on how the expectant mother can best be supported by her partner during labour; pain relief, including epidurals and attitudes towards pain, post-partum period; plus lots of additional information which covers your personal needs.

At attendees place, if required

€ 135 2.5 hour session

Truus Gale, Midwife E: truusgale@yahoo.com For course information, please phone 020 470 0321

Breastfeeding Course

Course designed for first-time mums. This workshop offers you the opportunity to explore breast-feeding in more detail. The workshop is fun and interactive. It incorporates a mixture of discussions, information sharing and practical skills.

Amsterdam

€ 15 person € 25 couple

Myrte van Lonkhuijsen 020 470 0321 E: info@borstvoedingscentrum.nl

Orientation for Newcomers Available on request

ACCESSing Amsterdam

Are you new to Amsterdam and looking for practical information and advice? Here at ACCESS we always aim to look into the needs of the community we are serving.

Come to our workshop for: practical advice, insider knowledge, fill in gaps in your knowledge of how things work, broaden your understanding of the Dutch way of living and also meet people in a similar situation

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 30

E: ced-ams@access-nl.org

Available on request

Buying a House and Mortgages in the Netherlands

Buying a house in a foreign country can be very scary - especially when you don’t understand the language or how it works. This workshop outlines the following 3 main topics: searching for the right house, the mortgage and negotiating & settlement.

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 40

Tania Hudig, freelance consultant E: ced-ams@access-nl.org

Personal development and Job Seeking workshops Starting in September - check www.access-nl.org for updates

44 | access | autumn

Dutch Language Training for Beginners

Very small groups (3/5) guaranteed with personal focus on your progress! Learn and practice your Dutch in daily situations and feel more comfortable in the Netherlands! After completing this course you will have improved your communication in Dutch.

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 225 9 sessions of 1.5 hours

Caroline van den Bogaard, ­professional intercultural coach and language trainer E: info@cctransitions.com

ACCESS courses - Amsterdam

Date / Time

Title

Details

Location

Cost

Contact

Starting in September - check www.access-nl.org for updates

Intermediate Dutch Conversation

Very small groups (3/5) guaranteed with personal focus on your progress ! For those who have received previous Dutch training and would like to become more confident and proficient in speaking the language. We will be reading articles and discuss current events and practice Dutch conversation skills. The classes will be entirely in Dutch.

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 225 9 sessions of 1.5 hours

Caroline van den Bogaard, ­professional intercultural coach and language trainer E: info@cctransitions.com

Starting in September - check www.access-nl.org for updates

Dutch@work Course “Nederlands als werktaal”

Kleine group gegarandeerd (3/5). Training voor gevorderden, die zich goed willen voorbereiden op de Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt. Leer jezelf presenteren in het Nederlands.

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 180 4 sessions of 2 hours

Caroline van den Bogaard, ­professional intercultural coach and language trainer Contact: info@cctransitions.com

Personal consultation on request

Personal and Career Coaching

Through coaching you will get insight in the impact of intercultural differences on various areas of your life such as your career and your well-being. You will explore and reflect on personal and cultural values, examine your goals, directions and priorities and make the best choices for yourself.

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 75 1 hour session

Caroline van den Bogaard, ­professional intercultural coach and language trainer Contact: info@cctransitions.com

Check www.johndesilvaphotography. com for updates and prices

Camera Basics and Photographic Principles

This workshop is targeted at beginning and intermediate photography enthusiasts conducted by professional photographer John De Silva. This is a 2 1/2 hour workshop followed by a 90 minute field trip to Vondelpark / centrum, putting into practice what was learned.

Amsterdam

see website

John De Silva, professional photographer E: ced-ams@access-nl.org

Look at www.access-nl.org for updates www.anneswines.com

Wine Course

This 12-session series have been designed to provide information and knowledge while having fun tasting wines and meeting new people.

Amsterdam

see website

Anne de Bérard E: ced-ams@access-nl.org

Caring for Yourself Look at www.presentmind.nl/ en/ for updates

Mindfulness training

Mindfulness is an effective way to deal with everyday issues such as stress, anxiety, fatigue.

It helps increase concentration and focus, and enhances both energy levels and quality of sleep. The positive effects of mindfulness are supported by academic studies worldwide.

Join the 8 week workshop based on Kabat-Zinn programme, run by qualified trainer.

Amsterdam, Prinsengracht

€ 550 includes workbook and CD’s

Lot Heijke E: lot.heijke@planet.nl

Look at www.access-nl.org for updates

Sivananda Hatha yoga - Yoga for all

“Yoga is a life of self-discipline. Yoga balances, harmonises, purifies and strengthens the body, mind and soul. It shows the way to perfect health, perfect mind control and perfect peace with one’s own self, the world, nature and God.” - Swami Vishnu-Devananda. Each lesson includes breathing exercises, sun salutations, classical yoga postures and a long final relaxation. Open for all levels.

Amsterdam

€ 70 4 sessions € 100 6 sessions

Burcin Ozyurek, yoga instructor E: ced-ams@access-nl.org

access | autumn | 45

Living and working with more cultures beside your own and feeling good about it, is a personal development. It is a wonderful experience but sometimes a (cultural) shock.

Zw-art-s Coaching and Counseling has developed a special program for

Personal Cultural Integration Personal Cultural Integration is a practical based program for everybody who deals with more cultures beside their own. The program is tailored for individuals, families, groups and organisations.

The program also runs as a workshop.

For more information, call; T. +31 (0)6 50 650 122 E. nicolezwarts@yahoo.com www.zwartscoachingandcounseling.com

Cafe Momfer De Mol

ABF International Sports Club Located in Wassenaar, we offer soccer, baseball and basketball programs to people of all ages and nationalities.

Cosy Dutch bar/bistro in the oldest street of The Hague Wide range of wines and beers, good food and great value for money!

Come on out to the clubhouse and be part See of theyou ABFtomorrow! community!

Café Momfer de Mol Oude Molstraat 19, 2513 BA Den Haag 070-4278733 Website under Construction: www.cafemomfer.nl ww w.

ABFSp o rt. n l

Clinic for Preventive & Curative Dentistry Tandartspraktijk Kaushik Castricumplein 1, 2547 HZ Den Haag Tel: 070-3251241 Aesthetic treatment, Prosthetics, endodontic therapy, periodontal therapy, implants, crown & bridge work etc.

• Services to patients both in the Dutch and the English language • Charges as per the rates fixed by the Dutch government (COTG) • Consultation by prior appointment Business Hours: Monday–Thursday: 0830-1630 hrs; Friday: 0830-1230 hrs

Dual Degree in Psychology and Sociology Webster University Leiden offers you the chance to earn both an American and a Dutch accredited Bachelors in either Psychology or Sociology. One study, two degrees.

Dutch, American and truly international - with this program in Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences students from the Netherlands and other EU countries receive an education that is absolutely unique.

Contact Webster University today for more information and call +31 (0)71-516 8000 or look at www.webster.nl.

+31 (0)71-516.8000 psuch-acces 190x 1351.indd 2

08-07-2010 11:58:19

ACCESS courses - The Hague

please register for courses on-line at www.access-nl.org, or telephone ACCESS The Hague, 070 - 346 25 25

Date / Time

Title

Details

Location

Cost

Contact

Childbirth and Baby Courses 30 September 10:00 -11.30

Breastfeeding Course

Qualified lactation consultant offering one 2-hour information session on breastfeeding for pregnant women.

Nootdorp

€ 30

Sharron van der Linden-Woodley 061 972 4750, E: ceb-dh@access-nl.org

Childbirth Preparation Course

Six 2-hour sessions preparing for childbirth in the Netherlands, led by our very experienced trainers.

Bronovo Hospital

€ 180

Lee Tolman and Nester Moyo 061 972 4750, E: ceb-dh@access-nl.org

Complete preparation for labour through breathing and relaxation techniques, yoga postures.

Bronovo Hospital

€ 135

Joke van Roosendaal-Kuijper 070 326 2638, E: sport-en-spirit@hotmail.com

25 November 19:30 – 21.00

22 September – 27 October (Dec due dates)

3 November – 8 December (Jan/Feb due dates) 18:45 - 21:00, 6 evenings

14 September – 9 November Prenatal Yoga 30 November – 25 January 8 Tuesday evenings 18:15 – 19:30 8 Tuesday evenings 20:45 – 22:00 Register anytime six weeks after birth

Postnatal Yoga

Relaxation techniques, muscles strengthening of pelvic floor, pelvis, stomach through Pilates method, energy building through Hatha Yoga.

Bronovo Hospital

€ 80

Joke van Roosendaal-Kuijper 070 326 2638, E: sport-en-spirit@hotmail.com

Friday mornings

Postnatal Yoga

Getting your waist back, regaining strength for abdomen and pelvic floor muscles, back care and relax and recharge for new mums.

Den Haag

€ 75 for six 1-hour sessions

Wendy Koopman 061 972 4750, E: ceb-dh@access-nl.org

On demand

Prenatal Exercise

Course led by qualified physiotherapist for women in their 3rd trimester who want to get fit in preparation for the birth of their baby.

Oegstgeest

€ 120 for 2 sessions

Vera Atlas 061 972 4750, E: ceb-dh@acces-nl.org

A location near Valkenbosplein, The Hague

€ 600 + € 92 for course book & CD-Rom

Henny van Santen 065 719 4646, E: hennyvans@casema.nl

Orientation for Newcomers Dates in September, October and November see website for details 09:15 – 12:15

“At Home Abroad” - Dutch for Starters Language Course

Dutch for Starters is an intensive language course for people who want to make a running start with learning Dutch. Twelve 3-hour sessions in four weeks, in groups of four to six people.

Personal Development and Job Seeking in Holland 1 June, 21 September, 23 November 09:30-12:30

Job Hunting in the Netherlands

Discover your own way to job seeking success through the course of discussions and feedback with other job seekers. Aimed at individuals wishing to enter the Dutch employment market; explore your approach, improve your CV and application techniques. Includes a personal follow-up consultation with the trainer.

Women’s Business Initiative, Laan Copes van Cattenburch 86, The Hague

€ 107

Teresa Moynihan 062 665 4708 or go to www.access-nl.org Individual coaching sessions also available on demand

21 September, 8 October, 12 November

Understanding Yourself: Using Your Values as a Personal Compass

This 3-hour interactive workshop is about clarifying what is important to you as a person, a professional or a parent. It will help you identify your values, your needs and your limits.

The Hague

€ 88

Marie Dewulf 062 440 1355, E: info@coach2moveon.com

9:30 – 12:30

48 | access | autumn

ACCESS courses - The Hague

Date / Time

Title

Details

Location

Cost

Contact

Wednesdays

First Aid Diploma Course

Do you know what to do at the scene of an accident, or a sport’s injury or if someone chokes or breaks a leg? What if your child falls or burns himself/herself? How do you bridge the gap till the ambulance arrives? Learn life-saving skills for yourself, your family and all the people around you. (30 hours tuition in 10 sessions inclusive C.P.R. with A.E.D.)

Het Klokhuis, Celebestraat 4, Den Haag

€ 375 all inclusive

Liz Jordan, First Aid and C.P.R./A.E.D. Instructor Vital Signs Training – 070 346 9786 / 061 883 5293, E: ejordan@ziggo.nl

C.P.R. with Automatic External Defibrillator

Het Klokhuis, Do you know that most cardiac arrests happen Celebestraat 4, unexpectedly at home or at work or during sport? On average, 300 a week in Holland. If you Den Haag can do Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) and use an A.E.D., you can save a life. The first six minutes are vital. (A.E.D.) (6 hours tuition)

€ 150 all inclusive

Liz Jordan, First Aid and C.P.R./A.E.D. Instructor Vital Signs Training – 070 346 9786 / 061 883 5293, E: ejordan@ziggo.nl

The Hague

Cost: € 55 to € 70 (tapas included)

Annes Wines.

062 631 7807, E: anne@anneswines.com

Women’s Business Initiative, Laan Copes van Cattenburch 86, Den Haag

€ 180 for 10 sessions

Mireille Barreau, Sophrologist 063 003 0888, E: info@4moreharmony.com

8, 15, 23, 29 September 6, 13, 20, 27 October 3, 10 November 19:00 – 22:00

Saturday 23 October 10:00 - 16:00

Culinary & Wine expertise September thru November dates, six-week course.

See website for details 19:00 – 21:00

The Wine Series 6 part workshops on wine tasting

Enjoy the secrets of tasting wines and discovering where they come from by using your senses.

Learn about food and wine matching, various types of wines, easy to use in your daily life.

Orientation for Newcomers 29 September 6, 13 October 3,10,17, 24 November 1, 8, 15 December

Have a better Sleep for a better Day!

10:30 – 11:45 or 17:30 – 18:45

Learn how to improve your sleep, how to relax, how to fall asleep or fall back to sleep, how to reduce your insomnia by protecting yourself from stress, using relaxation and techniques of Sophrology.

Parent Education Seminars 11 October 19:30 - 22:00

5 October 19:30 – 22:00

15 November 19:30 – 22:00

Communicating for Compliance & Co-operation

How to Talk: Why nagging, threatening, and lecturing probably aren’t getting you very far with your kids. Learn the kinds of instructions, explanations, and consequences that work best.

van Hogenhoucklaan 89, Den Haag

€35

Katherine Fortier (Child Psychologist) and Soul Robertson, 064 185 7773, www.passionateparenting.nl

Strategies for Gifted Children

How to identify a gifted child? How should we stimulate them? How do we get the teachers and schools involved? What about social skills?

How could this “gift” affect the family? An enriched yet balanced life can be achieved

van Hogenhoucklaan 89, Den Haag

€35

Renata Hamsikova (Gifted Children Coach) and Soul Robertson, 064 185 7773, www.passionateparenting.nl,

Marshmallows & Delayed Gratification

Self-discipline is an excellent predictor of a child’s success. Since it takes years of practice to develop patience & perseverance, the sooner parents teach children to avoid immediate gratification the better. Change your child’s life.

van Hogenhoucklaan 89, Den Haag

€35

Katherine Fortier (Child Psychologist) and Soul Robertson 064 185 7773, www.passionateparenting.nl

access | autumn | 49

Doing our bit to help YOU feel part of the International community in the Hague!

Want to know more then go to

For all your legal, publicitary and technical translations Personal attention and efficient service guaranteed Please contact us for more information t: 31 (0)20 64 53 120

e: info@polydioma.nl

www.polydioma.nl

http://www.britishclubthehague.nl/

Simone Branson

ART & ANTIQUE FAIR THE HAGUE With 20 Art-& Antique-dealers showing their Collections.

‘It’s not what you look at that matters it’s what you see’

• • • • • •

27th and 28th of November Carlton Ambassador Hotel Sophialaan 2, The Hague Admission €3,50 - Parking free

Graphic Design Webdesign Visual Identity Advertising Magazines Card Design

ART & ANTIQUE FAIR WASSENAAR With 15 Art-& Antique-dealers showing their Collections.

17th till 19th of December 2010 Van Ommerenpark Residence v. Ommerenpark 200, Wassenaar Free admission and parking Info: CANfairs - www.canfairs.nl Phone: 0172-588402 / 06-54778513

Your Personal Web & Graphic Designer in The Netherlands www.simonebranson.com

Advertentie90_135_2.indd 1

8/25/10 5:36 PM

ACCESS Sponsors

Thank you for your continued and generous support Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

ABN-AMRO Bank

American School of The Hague

Adams Multilingual Recruitment Agency

American Book Center Amsterdam

Gemeente Amsterdam

The British School of Amsterdam

International School of Amsterdam

The Xpat Journal and Xpat Media

Gemeente Den Haag

The British School in The Netherlands

Octagon Professionals

Deborah and Eric Brulo-Nisenfeld

Kamer van Koophandel Haaglanden

Your organisation’s name here?

Renthouse International

Supporting ACCESS means helping over 20,000 people in the expat and international community each year.

ACCESS Sponsors & Donors Thank you for your support and contributions

Sponsors Financieel Voorlichtingsbureau de Boer B.V. Guardian Wealth Management Music All In - Noordwijk BV Papa Bears Print Shop The British School in The Netherlands The Hague Online Donors 4MoreHarmony ABC Beer Van Kleef ABN AMRO Akribeia Angelcorner Jophiël Anne’s Wines Betjeman & Barton Bibou Bozena Brasserij Babbilage The British School in The Netherlands Language Centre Carlton Ambassador Cheesecake Company Chesters Kitchen CityJet Rotterdam The Hague Airport Corpus de Tafel Dame

Direct Dutch Dutchnews.nl Expatriate Archive Centre Filmhuis Den Haag Gemeentemuseum Den Haag Houtkram De, te Leiderdorp Jo Parfitt Kelly’s Expat Shopping Kickstart School Kon. Schouwberg Language Institute Taal Taal Laura Ashley Lekkers Uit Hongarije Meza Mediterranee Michel’s Boulangerie & Patisserie Moynihan HR Consulting Museon My Store Simons Juweliers Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel The English Theatre STET Thomas Green Twentyfive Design Van Nierop WFIA Winnubst Parfumerie

What’s on

Specials events - Autumn 2010 post a community event in this magazine? contact access publications at pub-dh@access-nl.org, please title your mail as ‘what’s on’.

21 Septmeber

20 to 29 October

Prinsjesdag

The Cinekid Festival, Amsterdam

On Prinsjesdag Queen Beatrix rides her Golden Carriage from Palace Noordeinde in The Hague (her residential home) to the Knights Hall. The streets are lined with crowds and she reads her budget speech to the Upper and the Lower Chamber Info: www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/

24-25 September (annual)

25 & 26 September

Todaysart Festival

Scheveningen Kite Festival

“The Cinekid Festival is an annual film, television and new-media festival for children in Amsterdam. Every year more than 50,000 children and (international) guests visit one or more of the five hundred media productions that Cinekid has to offer them: film, documentaries, short films, cartoons, television productions, cross-media productions, interactive installations and workshops. Alongside the main festival in Amsterdam, a satellite programme also featuring the Cinekid films is organised in more than thirty other towns throughout the Netherlands.

On Saturday 25 and Sunday, September 26 shaft is the largest international event in the Netherlands pilot site, the MASCOT Kite Festival Scheveningen. Dan ziet Scheveningen ze weer vliegen: vliegers in alle soorten en maten. Scheveningen will see them again fly kites in all shapes and sizes.

Cinekid for Professionals takes place during the Cinekid Festival, providing an opportunity for more than 200 media professionals to meet in order to discuss new developments in the field of children’s media, exchange experiences and promote the production of children’s films, children’s television and crossmedia productions. At CinekidStudio.nl children can make their own media productions. At this special children’s domain children produce their own short films, news broadcasts, video clips or short cartoons.”

Info: http://todaysart.nl/

Info: http://vliegerfeestscheveningen.nl

Info: www.cinekid.nl

8 to 17 October

30 September to 3 October

17 to 20 November

Shoot me Film Festival The Hague

National Tattoo

Crossing Border Festival

Open on the first Sunday of every month.

For further details tel: 070 323 1568.

Location: Heliotrope Avenue 15v

“Military music from an international line-up of marching bands. Among those appearing are the drum corps Top Secret from Switzerland, the Scots College Pipes and Drums and the OzScot Dancers from Australia and the Englishmen of the Royal Military Band. Ahoy, Rotterdam”

A huge literature, music and visual arts event, Holland’s Crossing Border Festival presents an inspired mix of writers, musicians and performers.

More than 80 acts appear at the Royal Theatre, across a variety of stages. Royal Theatre

Info: http://www.shoot-me.nl/

Info: www.ahoy.nl

Info: www.crossingborder.nl

Performances, concerts, exhibitions and films by more than 200 artists from 25 countries Covering artistic disciplines from fashion to contemporary dance, the annual Todaysart Festival is held across 20 indoor and outdoor venues in The Hague.

52 | access | autumn

What’s on

15 October

Aug 28, 2010 to Jan 9, 2011

Holland South Event:

The Temporary Stedelijk

Morlot conducts Mendelssohn and Schumann The young French conductor Ludovic Morlot, previously with the New York Philharmonic, conducts The Hague Philharmonic, with American star violinist Jennifer Koh. Programme: Debussy / Escher, Six epigraphes antiques, Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto, Schumann, Symphony No. 2Tickets €10 - €36 available on line. Concert starts at 20:15.

Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150 Info: www.ldt.nl

22 October

17 to 28 November

Holland South Event:

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)

Piano Penomenon Aldo Ciccolini The Residence Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Foster, with Aldo Ciccolini, piano. Programme: Franck - Le Chasseur Maudit, Saint-Saëns - Piano Concert Nr. 4, Fauré - Suite ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’, Debussy - La mer. Booking online. Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150.

Info: www.ldt.nl

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is the largest event of its kind in the world. The festival will arrive in Amsterdam on 17 November to begin a ten-day programme packed to bursting point. IDFA’s rising popularity guarantees that 2010 will once again see hoards of film-hungry visitors race to the capital to catch one (or more) of the staggering 300 creative documentaries on offer.

“While the new wing of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam continues, the restoration of the original building is almost complete and it will open temporarily to the public with a series of exhibitions in August.

The highlight is Taking Place for which specially selected works by contemporary artists will be displayed in various spaces within the old building. It will include pieces from the museum’s collection of 19th and 20th century art, ranging from paintings and sculpture to industrial and graphic design.

Stedelijk Museum” Info: www.stedelijk.nl

4 to 13 December

Holiday on Ice at RAI, Amsterdam The traditional skating troupe tell the story of ancient spirits from Stonehenge to Native American tales and Asian mysticism.

Info: www.idfa.nl

Info: www.holidayonice.nl

26 November

17 December

Holland South Event:

Holland South Event:

The Resident Orchestra goes on tour

Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”

A concert prior to the Orchestra’s tour of Vienna, Bratislava, Maribor, Zagreb and Villach. The orchestra is conducted by Neeme Järvi, with Dagmar Pecková, mezzosoprano. Tickets €10 - €36 available online.

Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150.

One of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works since it featured in Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’. Performed by the Residence Orchestra conducted by Andrew Grams, with The Hague Sailors’ Choir. Tickets €10 - €36 available online. Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150.

Info: www.ldt.nl

Info: www.ldt.nl

28 October to 15 November

The Hague, Holland Dance Festival 12th Edition of this largest biennial dance festival in the Netherlands. This year the festival boasts over sixty performances, more than one hundred workshops, and a dance parade with over 1200 amateur dancers. This years festival celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Nederlands Dans Theater. The festival is opened by the Nederlands Dans Theater I en II at the Lucent Danstheater.

www.hollanddancefestival.com

access | autumn | 53

The

Who’s Who

ACCESS Magazine AUTUMN 2010 Vol. 23 No. 3

The Hague Management Team

Amsterdam Management Team

Manager, The Hague Anne MacDonald

Director, Amsterdam Anna Lysenko

Publisher Stichting ACCESS Editorial content editor@access-nl.org

Advertising Wiggert Sackman

Community Education Candace Conner-Kabela

Executive Board Chairman Kiri Kikis, Kikis Investments

Community Education Christine Fischer

Computer Services Andy Nicastro

Vice Chairman Gary Hays, Fonterra (Europe)

Computer Services John Pellet

Information Research Jennifer Walsh

Counselling Services Alina Avarvarei

Public Relations Liz Tjostolvsen

Secretary Imanda Wapenaar, Director, WFIA

Event Management Roy Lie A Tjam

Marketing Radhika Goyal

Finance Patricia Axelrad Information Research Wang Ju Tsai

The Help Desk Gillian Brooks

Advertising info: Tel: 070 346 2525 Subscriptions: info@access-nl.org Design & Layout Marek Moggré Jeannette Dijkman Production Dijkman Publishers Images Shirley Agudo Valerie Bernardini Alice de Groot Marianne Lourens Contributors Karin Engelbrecht Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers Candace Connor-Kabela Anne Nielsen de Bérard Olivia van den Broek-Neri Valéria Ramos Marie Dewulf Jacinta Noonan Connie Moser Lucie Scott Nikki Young

Copyright©ACCESS 2010 All rights reserved. No part of the ACCESS magazine may be used in any form without explicit permission in writing from the Publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of going to press. However, ACCESS and its writers cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information included.

54 | access | autumn

Volunteer Resources Helen Bilbe

Stichting ACCESS

Executive Director Lucie Scott

Members Charles van Beuningen, van Beuningen advocaten Connie Moser, Real Estate Publishers B.V. Willemijn van Oppen-Stuyt, Educaide

The Help Desk Richard Goddard

Jessie Rodell, American School of The Hague

Volunteer Resources Rosemary Farrell

Vacancy: Treasurer

You will also find that the ACCESS Magazine is available through the Human Resources Departments of many international companies, organizations, NGO’s etc.

If you would like your employer to also have copies available contact 070 - 346 25 25.

The ACCESS Magazine is unique: written, edited, published and distributed by expats for expats.

ACCESS magazine is distributed free of charge. Below is a list of locations to pick up your copy.

The Hague

Amsterdam

The Wider Randstad Region

American Book Center, Lange Poten 23 Bronovo Hospital, Bronovolaan 5 Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Sophialaan 2 Central Public Library/Centrale Openbare Bibliotheek, Spui 68 Chamber of Commerce/Kamer van Koophandel, Koningskade 30 Cheesecake Company, Torenstraat 32 GEM, Stadhouderslaan 43 International Health Centre, Prins Willemstraat 41 Kelly’s Expat Shopping, Piet Heinstraat 105 Mercure Hotel, Spui 180 MUSEON, Stadhouderslaan 37 Novotel Hotel, Hofweg 5-7 Nuffic, Kortenaerkade 11 Paagman bookshop,Frederik Hendriklaan 217 Sherlock Holmes Bar, Sumatrastraat 314 Thomas Green Shop, Frederik Hendriklaan 71 De Vulpen bookshop, Frederik Hendriklaan 173-179

ABC Treehouse, Voetboogstraat 11 American Book Center, Spui 12 Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce/ Kamer van Koophandel, De Ruyterkade 5 City Hall/Stadhuis Voorlichtingsloket, Amstel 1 Amsterdam Public Library/Openbare Bibliotheek Oosterdokskade 143 Bagels and Beans, Spaarndammerstraat 149a and Parnassuweg 218 Dienst Persoonsgegevens, Stadhouderskade 85 ExpatCenter WTC, F-tower, 2nd Flr. Strawinskylaan 39 Town Council/Gemeente Amstelveen, Laan Nieuwer-Amstel 1 Htel, Laan van de Helende Meesters 421 Hilton Hotel, Apollalaan 138 Horlings, Josef Israelkade 46 Waterstones, Kalverstraat 152

Delft DOK Library Delft, t.a.v. R. van Gorp Vesteplein 100 TU Delft Library, Prometheusplein 1 Leiden North End English Pub, Noordeinde 55 Public Library/Openbare Bibliotheek, Nieuwstraat 4 Rotterdam City Hall Library/Gemeente Bibliotheek, Hoogstraat 110 Chamber of Commerce/Kamer Van Koophandel, Blaak 40 Expat Desk Rotterdam, Beursplein Voorschoten Public Library/Openbare Bibliotheek, Wijngaardenlaan 4 Wassenaar Wassenaar Health Center, Hofcampweg 65 Public Library/Openbare Bibliotheek, Berkheistraat 55

Luxurious living in The Hague New-built appartments now available

every thursday

vISIT SHoW AppArTMeNT 18-19h

• Safe living: private garage, videophone, alarm, etc.

• Large living space with big windows allowing for maximum daylight

• Several facilities within walking distance • Favourable financing options Nearby facilities; shopping, sports, schools, International Zone etc.

Spectacular view on all sides

Visit Groot & Klein Houtrust and enjoy the beauty of this location nearby The International Zone and the unique dune area. Experience the beautiful view and the exclusive and luxurious interior of the building and its show appartments.

Prices start at € 261,000 up to € 725,000 no additional costs payable by the purchaser, including a parking space in the garage.

More information or an appointment on request can also be provided by calling one of the phonenumbers below.

developer:

www.houtrust.info

Near beach and unique dune area

High-grade materials, exceptional quality

SAleS:

SAleS:

Tel. +31 70 - 355 84 00

Tel. +31 70 - 375 75 75