Connecting Worlds
Connect International serves the international community in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.
Services:
Join Us!
● Immigration services
● “Buddy” -system
You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.
● Free access to books & guides
Visit: www.connect-int.org
● Home search & set-up ● Career services ● Social events, activities & clubs ● Business events ● Personal support & assistance
● Knowledge database
Welcome New Members! Connect International would like to welcome the following new members: Mohammad Al Zayyat, Dorothee Lutz, Tácia Aquinas, Hanieh Khodaei, Cassia Ribeiro, Nubia & Edgar Yanez Angarita, Jelena Radin, Chris Heckmann and Nina Tsevan
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Important Dates
IMPORTANT DATES May Vacation Times Primary Education & Secondary Education Schools Basisonderwijs & Voortgezet onderwijs North Netherlands
30 April 2016 - 8 May 2016
Week 18
Mid-Netherlands
30 April 2016 - 8 May 2016
Week 18
South Netherlands
30 April 2016 - 8 May 2016
Week 18
Other Dates Passover
22 April 2016
Koningsdag (Kings Day)
27 April 2016
Connect Classifieds Looking for a baby sitter? Eva, is 15 years old and speaks fluent English and Arabic. She’s a sensible, responsible girl. If you need a night off from the kids, please contact Eva via email, evatabbakh5@gmail.com
Connect International Office: Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98, Groningen Postbus 16, 9700 AA Groningen Telephone: 050 7440087 Email: info@connect-int.org Website: www.connect-int.org
Editorial Editor: Stephanie Fermor Assistant Editor: Margaret Metsala Writers: Stephanie Fermor, Angela Greco, Alexandra van den Doel, The Volunteer Communication Team TEDxGroningen 2016, Ian Reitsma.
Editorial and advertising in Connections is based on material, written and verbal, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Connections is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication
Send all letters and submissions to: publications@connect-int.org
may be reproduced without written permission by the publisher.
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What’s on April 2016
CONNECT EVENTS All Connect Events this month
International Coffee Morning Groningen Friday 1 April, 10:30 Doppio Cafe (Groningen) Movie Club: “Youth” Monday 4 April, 13:30 Pathé Groningen Dutch Conversation Fun Wednesday 6 April, 15:00 IWCN Office (Groningen) Bowling Night Thursday 7 April, 19:30 Groningen Book Club: “The Illuminations” by A. O’Hagen Thursday 7 April, 20:00 Janny’s place (Groningen) International Coffee Morning Assen Friday 8 April, 10:30 Professional Development Fair 2016 Sunday 10 April, 13:30 Postillion Hotel Haren Groningen Writers’ Circle Tuesday 12 April, 19:00 Dutch Conversation Fun Wednesday 13 April, 15:00 IWCN Office (Groningen) International Coffee Morning Groningen Friday 15 April, 10:30 Doppio Cafe (Groningen)
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Pub Night Friday 15 April, 18:00 O’Malley’s Irish Pub (Groningen) Movie Club: “Boychoir” Monday 18 April, 13:30 Pathé Groningen Dutch Conversation Fun Wednesday 20 April, 15:00 IWCN Office (Groningen) Crafts Club: Beading workshop Sunday 24 April, 14:00 Het Concerthuis (Groningen) International Coffee Morning Groningen Friday 29 April, 10:30 Doppio Cafe (Groningen)
Future Events
21 May Golf Clinic & IWCN Open See page 4 for more details about this event.
Upcoming Event
GOLF: YOU HAVE TO PLAY TO UNDERSTAND The IWCN and Connect International event
Whether you are an experienced golfer or someone who is just curious to try this sport out, we have good news for you! On Saturday, May 21st, we would like to welcome you to the Northern Netherlands Golf & Country Club in Glimmen for day of International Golfing, no matter what your individual level of experience is.
IWCN Open Experienced golfers are invited to take part in the IWCN Open, a challenging two-and-a-half hour, 9 hole competition to try their skill against other international golfers. Golf Clinic And for those who would like to learn the golf basics, we have prepared a Golf Clinic, where everyone (including children above 8 years old) will be taught the techniques of golf within a 2 hour clinic. Prizes The winners of the Open and the most improved Clinic participant will receive their awards during a prize ceremony at the end of the event. The prize ceremony is
organized and sponsored by the Real Estate Consultancy (www.recvastgoed.nl) Details of the Event Date: 21st of May, Saturday Place: De Noord-Nederlandse Golf & Country Club (Pollselaan 5, Glimmen) The “IWCN Open” price: members); €35 (non-members)
€25
(CI
The “Golf Clinic” price: €10 (CI members); €20 (non-members); €7.50 (children); €25 (CI members family deal: 2 adults+2 children); €45 (non-members family deal: 2 adults+2 children) Maximum number of players: 80 (40 for the IWCN Open and 40 for the Golf Clinic) The Club The Northern Netherlands Golf & Country Club, which began in 1950, has a territory of 60 hectares bordering the nature monument De Drentse Aa. Nowadays the Club has about 900 active members. To read more about the Club, visit their website: www.nngcc.nl (partially also in English) The beautiful location, international environment, fun atmosphere and a healthy level of physical activity are all the ingredients for an event not to be missed!
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Information Center
INTRODUCTION TO DUTCH Sign up for free Dutch Starter Course
70,000 participants registered for the Introduction to Dutch MOOC in 2015. The online course was developed by the University of Groningen Language Centre (http://goo.gl/2CMjOC), and is aimed at prospective students and staff of the University, international professionals who intend to live and work in the Netherlands and people from other countries with an interest in Dutch language and culture. The course introduces participants to the basics of the Dutch language and gives background information on the city of Groningen, the University of Groningen and the region as a whole.
Introduction to Dutch takes three weeks and is intended for anyone who wants to learn Dutch or is planning to visit the Netherlands for work, a study programme or holidays. Participants do not need prior knowledge of Dutch before starting the course. The subjects covered include introducing yourself and talking about family, friends, work or studies. The course also includes short films giving a general impression of home and working life in the Netherlands. Participants can purchase a statement of participation once they have finished the course. Registering for Introduction to Dutch Online registration is possible (and free!) via futurelearn.com/courses/dutch. The next online course will be starting on 23 May 2016. For more information, contact the Language Centre by phone: +31 (0)50 3635802 or email: talencentrum@rug.nl
Students from all over the world participated in the MOOC in 2015. We have had many positive responses: "Sincerely this is one of the best language online courses I have attended. It is all very simple and easy to get and practice. As a linguist I find no remarks for now. So good luck and Godspeed to all of you vriende!” “The course goes at a good pace and, of course, anything you haven't quite understood you have the opportunity to review. Dank u veel voor uw help!” “It's going well so far. The course is well structured and I think it is also a matter of practice as some words and phrases need to be internalised before moving on with the further teaching material.” 5
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Information Center
STRANGER THINGS English Speaking Improv Comedy Group
It's a new month, which means a new show! On April 7, Stranger Things returns with another improv show at Silo.
made up on the spot by the actors, usually inspired by suggestions taken from the audience. The result is a unique and fresh show that remains unpredictable for both the audience and the performers.
After a succesful and completely sold out debut at the Silo, Stranger Things is back with their monthly comedy show on April 7! At Stranger Things shows, you never know what to expect. Neither do they.
Now, they can be seen at the Silo, performing a full-length improv comedy show every first Thursday of the month!
Stranger Things Have Happened is an English-speaking improv comedy group. Improv comedy involves scenes that are
To see more and to buy your tickets, visit strangerthings.nl. Hope to see you there!
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Information Center
TEDx EVENT FOR THREE YEARS NOW IN GRONINGEN by The Volunteer Communication Team, TEDxGroningen 2016
TED is not the name of a person, but the name of a non-profit organization that is devoted to ideas worth spreading. But what does TED truly stand for, besides sharing ideas and creating waves that have a big impact on our contemporary society? TED means Technology, Entertainment, Design. TED began as a conference with talks that focused on technology and design and brought in entertainment along the way to help make ideas accessible to everyone. These ideas are communicated in short and powerful talks, also known as TED Talks.
Today the talks encompass a great variety of subjects ranging from global issues to music and from economics to psychology. They are presented in such a manner that they can be a source of inspiration for everybody. The power of TED lies precisely in the fact that one’s interests and hobbies can find novel sources of information within the TED community. In order to enhance the experience of watching TED Talks online, TED organizers have come up with the idea of designing local, live and independently organized events. This is how TEDx was born, and TEDxGroningen represents such an event. 2016 marks the third edition of the conference held in Groningen. TEDxGroningen is a non-profit organization run 100% by volunteers. Staff, speakers and partners contribute on a pro-bono basis with their valuable time and skills to support ideas worth spreading. Early this year the organizers have searched for 350 enthusiastic and diverse audience members of the local community to attend the event. As an attendee one had to pass an original application process. Besides being a participant, one can also become a volunteer and lend a helping hand with organizing the event or one can
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Information Center
become a speaker sharing innovative ideas at the very event. All these are possible by following a selection procedure in strict observance with the TED guidelines. TEDxGroningen will take place on 14 April 2016 at De Stadsschouwburg, Turfsingel 86, from 12:30 to 19:30. If you are eager to
nurture your curiosity, ignite your creativity, get inspired with great TEDTalks, and keep yourself updated about this year's TEDxGroningen event, please visit: www.tedxgroningen.com www.twitter.com/TEDxGroningen www.facebook.com/TEDxGroningen
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Food for Thought
WHICH FLOUR? Understanding flour types
There are many different types of flour available. Finding a good quality flour is the easiest way to improve your baking. Flour from Dutch supermarkets tends to be very processed, resulting in white, tasteless flour that is missing many of the natural enzymes. At the start of the new year we bought a bread machine. After making a few loaves and trying a few different recipes I was so disappointed at the bread that came out of it that I was ready to send bread machine to the kringloop and forget the idea of fresh homemade bread. Then a friend suggested visiting the local windmill for our flour.
Visiting the windmill, we got to see them actually grinding down the wheat and packing it. The smell from the fresh flour was amazing, totally different from the flour you buy at supermarkets. Our local mill produces a few different types of flour, plain flour, wholemeal flour and spelt flour. They also sell gluten and yeast, and baking mixes for pancakes and cakes. The most surprising thing was that the prices were the same as buying flour from the supermarket, yet you get a much better quality product. We are still experimenting with different bread recipes, and using a mix of flours in our baking, but so far, the results with fresh flour from the windmill are much better. So visit your local windmill, they also often can give advice on baking cakes and breads, and may even have recipe cards available. If you don’t have a windmill anywhere near, try checking the flour section or speciality food section at your local supermarket. Some supermarkets (even big names like Jumbo and AH) will stock flour produced by windmills within the region. See the table for a list of different types of flour and what they are called in Dutch. Written by Stephanie Fermor.
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Food for Thought
Protein
US
German
Italian
Netherlands
~ 9%
pastry flour
405
00
zeeuwse bloem
~ 11%
all-purpose flour
550
0
patentbloem
~ 14%
high gluten flour
812
1
tarwebloem
~ 15%
first clear flour
1050
2
gebuilde bloem
~ 13%
whole wheat flour
1700
Farina integrale
volkorenmeel
If you fancy trying to make some fresh bread here is the recipe I use.
Make a well in the middle of the flour mix and pour in the yeast water and stir gently.
Ingredients - 10g salt - 300g whole wheat flour (volkorenmeel) - 200g all-purpose flour (patentbloem) - 10 gram butter - 10 gram sugar - 7 gram gluten powder (glutenpoeder) - 6 gram dried yeast (gist) - 320 ml luke warm water.
Knead the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes; the dough is ready when it is smooth and elastic.
Bread machine Add all the ingredients in order to your bread machine trommel. Make sure the salt and yeast do not come into close contact as the salt can kill the yeast. You can use either a regular programme or a speed programme. This recipe is for a 700g loaf, or there about, depending on your machines settings.
Place the dough in a warm place (about 25 â °C) with a damp cloth over it and leave it for 1 hour to rise. Flour your work surface and briskly knead the dough until all the air is gone. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place on a greased baking sheet or loaf tin. Put in the oven on the lowest temperature setting to let the dough rise. Remove the bread from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 200 â °C. When the oven reaches temperature, return the bread to the oven and bake for 40 minutes. The bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped. Remove the bread from the oven and from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool.
By hand and in the oven Dissolve the yeast in the water, add in the sugar and leave for a few minutes. In a separate bowl mix together the wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt and butter.
Hope you enjoy the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home; it does make a nice start to the weekend!
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Life Experience
PORTABLE PROFESSION COURSE Career Strategies for the Perpetually Mobile
Knowing that your husband is going to change his job location every four years might at first have the taste of adventure. I’ve always wanted to experience new cultures and see new places. Besides, having the opportunity to reorganize my house from scratch every once in a while feels great to me, being an interiors decor lover. Also, raising my kids with an international background seems like an intriguing idea. As exciting as it might seem, this is not that practical from a career point of view. Women often have extra challenges when it comes to family-work balance, and that’s a well known issue, but having a stable, long-term job as an expat wife is an antinomy. At least that’s what we tend to think. Family and work are definitely two fundamental parts of my life. Over the last two years I have been working to build, together with some partners, my own start-up in the Netherlands. I have gained my MSc degree at the Delft University of 11
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Technology and have recently joined an accelerator program for young entrepreneurs. During my studies, I have always done side jobs and when I got pregnant with my first child, about three years ago, the need for pursuing the professional goals I have always set to myself, felt somehow stronger. Also the need to learn Dutch properly suddenly arose. But the incapability of planning my long-term career goals was overwhelming. If working outside home is important to you, this insecurity can easily let you down. It was when I was struggling with career choices, knowing that these would affect my employability in the coming years, that I came across the announcement of a course at the RUG called the Portable Profession: Career Strategies for the Perpetually Mobile. This course was addressed to accompanying spouses, those who find themselves continually on the move. So, I joined the course, and it was definitely worth it. Michaela Stephanie Carriere, the lecturer and organizer of the course, believes that there are many opportunities available to pack your job in a suitcase just like you do with your clothes when moving anywhere abroad. This requires organization, well-thought maneuvering and creativity. Michaela guides you through a portable career planning process in this exciting 7-week course. From defining your dreams, to
Life Experience
working on your CV or creating your blog/website, the program explores a variety of possibilities, and Michaela does it with a flexibility that makes you look forward to the next relocation, just to test your plan. Each person has a unique situation with different challenges and I was impressed with her sincere interest in ensuring we each got what we needed. Michaela is an expert in intercultural competences, being involved in the field of intercultural communication since 1998; she has more than 20 years of international experience (including India, Indonesia, Burma, Bangladesh, US and The Netherlands). Michaela successfully put her career in her suitcase when she moved. Trying to plan my next move is part of my character (although I fully believe the Greek saying: “when you make plans, God is laughing”). My husband and I have been a stable couple since we both were 14 years old. During our bachelor studies (20 y-o), my, at that time boyfriend, told me that he was 100% sure he would never find a good job in our home country (Italy) as aerospace engineer, and therefore wanted to move. I decided I could not wait to act. I needed to prevent our relationship from ending. Also, I could not accept the scenario of me following him without the skills to find a job abroad. My education (building engineering) was very local, meaning that what I was learning was mainly applicable to my country only. Besides, I could not speak English at all. We had therefore decided to pursue our Master in English abroad, and so we did, leaving our homes together at 22 years old. Now, after 5 years, the feeling of uncertainty, together with the need of acting to prevent the same scenario I so much feared, presented once again. I do have a more international background and
I have learned two languages in the meantime, but I have also got a family, which doesn’t simplify the equation. Encountering the Portable Profession course presented a valuable opportunity to plan and thoroughly think about the intercultural aspect of the career choices I am making today. My next relocation could happen in about 3 years from now, and this time I will feel less insecure. Now I have a well-thought plan and, thanks to Michaela, I have been thinking about the impact this plan might have on my relocation. It will not be a piece of cake, as I do feel at home in The Netherlands, but at least I am already preparing my suitcase. Written by Angela Greco Connections #69
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Dutch Culture
SUPERMARKET ‘SPAARACTIES’ To save or not to save?
“Zegels erbij?” or “Spaart u mee voor de actie……?” You probably regularly hear sentences like them when shopping in one of the chain supermarkets. Should you collect these stickers and stamps (zegels is the Dutch word for stamps) and what can you do with them? Koopzegels Albert Heijn sells koopzegels (=savings stamps). For every qualifying euro you spend you can purchase a stamp for 10 euro cents. You stick the stamps in a provided booklet and when you have collected 490 of them (i.e. 49 euros worth) you can cash them in at the supermarket for 52 euros hard cash. Even if you take a year to fill a book, this is a return of over 6% - way over the current interest rates at banks. So, should you do it? Disadvantages: it is 10% on top of your
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grocery bill at the time of your shopping, the stamps can be fiddly and you always need to check they have given you the correct amount; if the supermarket chain goes bust you cannot get your money back as there are no guarantees as there would be with a bank; you may well get cheaper groceries elsewhere. Advantages: the return on them is high, it’s an easy way to save (if you can afford to), the kids (or you!) get to have fun sticking them in the booklet.
Gratis zegels for money off In this type of promotion, the stamps are free and you collect towards money off. Albert Heijn recently ran the promotion for free stamps that led to discounts on Villeroy and Boch cutlery and Efteling tickets and Jumbo is running one currently on discounts for family days out. My local AH, which is a franchise, also runs its own promos and we have been able to collect
Dutch Culture
money off for things as diverse as charm bracelets, garden furniture and kitchen towels for example. So, should you? It is of course paramount to determine whether you truly want/need the items on offer and then it is a good idea to check comparable prices on the internet to see whether you are actually getting a bargain. My experience is that there usually is a small discount to be had and only if you would have shopped at that shop anyway.
Gratis zegels with nothing extra to pay Then there are the completely “free” things to collect. There are the things for kids: stickers for football or animal books, little rubber superheroes, marbles, DisneyTM figures; and for the whole family: little pots of seeds to start an allotment for example. These can turn into real crazes (particularly the football stickers and the seed pots) with children queuing outside the shops, begging for them (in some cases in the past, crash barriers had to be erected); desperate parents looking for swaps/missing items on Facebook and other social media, and teachers having to ban all swap activities till after school. Poiesz does a free stamp for every 25 euros spent that can be redeemed for a gift from a catalogue and annually has free stamps that can be collected to collect cash for sports teams and my local AH had a promotion where you could donate your certain stamps to local charities including
b the food bank. So, should you collect? Harmless fun unless you are feeling the pester power to shop at a particular store over and over to complete the collection. By the way, supermarkets often have a swap afternoon in store towards the end of the promotion, where you can swap and they often will give away extra stuff. Also, you can do like some canny Dutch and try and sell your complete collection on sites such as Marktplaats.
Please note that supermarkets which do not run these promotions at all are often cheaper. “Free” giveaways have to be paid for somehow. Written by Alexandra van den Doel Connections #69
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Your Career
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FAIR 2016 The event everyone has been waiting for
There are more than 40.000 internationals in the Northern Netherlands, living in all corners of the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The region becomes more and more internationally-oriented as increasing numbers of municipalities put extra effort in becoming international- friendly; more information both online and offline becomes available in English, and more companies become interested in employing expats. The International Welcome Center North (IWCN), which opened its doors in November 2014, aims at providing local
expats with information and support regarding all aspects of integration and legal issues. According to their statistics, every third visitor makes inquiries about job opportunities, career support or professional development in the Northern Netherlands. Simultaneously there is a high demand for highly-skilled talent in technical, and a variety of other, fields. And even though the IWCN staff does their best to give job-seekers information and referrals, there is a clear need for this subject to be addressed in a more specific and organized way. To satisfy this demand, the IWCN, together with Connect International (a non-profit organization helping internationals in the Northern Netherlands with relocation, information and social integration for more than 19 years) and the University of Groningen, is organizing the Professional Development Fair; a talent and career support event in English which is unique for the Northern Netherlands. This event is designed primarily for highly-skilled expats and graduating students (with a PhD or a Master’s degree) struggling to find a job in the region. The
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purpose
of
the
Your Career
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Your Career
Professional Development Fair is to provide international residents with the necessary knowledge, tools and connections needed to familiarize themselves with the specifics of the Dutch labor market, to learn and to develop professional skills needed to succeed in the job application process and increase their professional potential, to widen their networking circle, to get to know several international businesses operating locally and to find a job in the Northern Netherlands as an end result. HR-managers of the key companies interested in hiring international talents in the Northern Netherlands, successful entrepreneurs with unique backgrounds, career coaches, language trainers and representatives of other related organizations will be there to offer their support, share their knowledge and experience with international talents from all over the world.
Fair participants may attend two (out of 10 in total) career-supporting workshops, try their job application skills during a mock interview with real HR-managers, participate in facilitated networking activities and have all their questions answered during the information market. Add to this program a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful location and a unique possibility of non-stressful job applications via the informal Job Cafe, and you’ve got an event one should not miss! Date: Sunday, 10 April 2016 Time: 13:30 – 18:00 hrs Location: Postillion Hotel Haren Groningen (Emmalaan 33, 9752 KS Haren) Entrance price: ₏15,00 Information and registration via: www.professionaldevelopmentfair.nl
One workshop offered during the Professional Development Fair is: Intercultural differences at the business level Communication in a global team is a more important subject than ever. Globalization has led to the rapid connection of internationally-based employees from all levels of multinational companies. Where once an employee might have been expected primarily to collaborate with colleagues from his own country, today many people are part of global 17
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Your Career
networks connected with people scattered around the world. Yet most managers have little understanding of how local culture impacts global interaction. Even those who are culturally informed, travel extensively, and have lived abroad often have few strategies for dealing with the cross-cultural complexity that affects their team’s day-to-day effectiveness. This workshop remedies that by introducing you to an analytical framework which includes practical, actionable advice for working in a global market. In thirty minutes, you will receive clear strategies for effectively communicating across cultural boundaries. Increase your day-to-day effectiveness in intercultural dealings by analyzing the relative positioning of cultures on several cultural scales whose dimensions enable you to decode how different cultures might influence your own international collaborations. The workshop clarifies the framework of cultural positioning by relating engaging, real-life stories and anecdotes from around the world that impart important lessons about global teamwork and international collaboration.
how can you get an international team to work together, if they can't agree on how to constructively disagree with each other? This workshop attempts to show some of the ill-understood differences between the Dutch and other cultures that may be putting pressure on your business relations. During this workshop, you will work with strategies for understanding cross-cultural communication, which includes differences in disagreeing, decision making, and persuasion. It gives you insights into the working culture of the Dutch especially, and is intended for people from other countries who have contacts with the Netherlands through work or business: incoming expatriates, business people, and those who work with the Dutch on a regular basis, either in Holland or abroad. And when the workshop is over, you will get access to our post-workshop e-learning free of charge - which includes all the information of the workshop and more in an easy to use and insightful program. This workshop is offered by Ziggurat Taaltrainingen. They have been doing culture-focused language trainings for businesses in the north of the Netherlands since 2007.
Written by Ian Reitsma
Cross-cultural communication is first examined through the lens of giving negative feedback. For instance, how do you carry out performance reviews? Your American employees might precede negative feedback with three nice comments, but the Dutch (together with the French and Germans) skip the positives altogether and get straight to the point. And Connections #69
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