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: Vivek Dalal, Ferdinand Lewi, Jing Li, Istora Pattakova, Antoine Rimbert, Lim Jia En, Lin Junhan, Levke Clausen, Kelly Hoffmann, Alex Ivanov, Michael Lee Beavers, Christine Eulenburg
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Important Dates
IMPORTANT DATES Spring School Vacation Times Primary Education & Secondary Education Schools Basisonderwijs & Voortgezet onderwijs North Netherlands
16 July 2016 - 28 August 2016
Week 29 - 34
Mid-Netherlands
9 July 2016 - 21 August 2016
Week 28 - 33
South Netherlands
23 July 2016 - 4 September 2016
Week 30 - 35
Some schools do run different vacation times, so be sure to double check with your school for exact dates.
Other Dates Summer Olympics, Rio 2016
5 - 21 August 2016
Feast of Assumption (Offerfeest)
11 - 13 September 2016
911 Remembrance
11 September 2016
Budget Day (Prinsjesdag)
20 September 2016
International Peace Day (UN)
21 September 2016
Autumnal Equinox
22 September 2016
Oktoberfest , Germany
27 September - 2 October 2016
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, Alexandra van den Doel, Maria Kuznetsova, Karen Prowse
Editorial and advertising in Connections is based
Send all letters and submissions to: publications@connect-int.org
copyright provisions. No part of this publication
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 may be reproduced without written permission by the publisher.
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What’s on August & September 2016
CONNECT EVENTS Connect Events International Coffee Morning Friday 5 August, 10:30 hrs Doppio Cafe (Groningen)
International Coffee Morning Friday 2 September, 10:30 hrs Doppio Cafe (Groningen) Book Club Thursday 8 September, 20:00 hrs (Groningen)
International Coffee Morning Friday 19 August, 10:30 hrs Doppio Cafe (Groningen) Pub Night Friday 19 August, 18:00 hrs O’Malley’s Irish Pub (Groningen)
International Coffee Morning Friday 16 September, 10:30 hrs Doppio Cafe (Groningen) Pub Night Friday 16 September, 18:00 hrs O’Malley’s Irish Pub (Groningen) "Unleash your audacious YOU" Workshop Sunday 18 September, 13:00 hrs Het Concerthuis (Groningen)
Crafts Club: Beading workshop Sunday 28 August, 14:00 hrs Het Concerthuis (Groningen)
Crafts Club: Beading workshop Sunday 25 September, 14:00 hrs Het Concerthuis (Groningen) International Coffee Morning Friday 30 September, 10:30 hrs Doppio Cafe (Groningen)
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What’s on August & September 2016
OTHER EVENTS Events in Groningen, Friesland & Drenthe Coopluydenmarkt Appingedam Medival festival 5 August, Appingedam www.coopluydenmarkt.nl Sneekweek, traditional naval show 5 - 14 August, Sneek www.sneekweekgids.nl Introduction to Dutch MOOC Dutch language course for beginners Starts 15th August, RuG http://goo.gl/63Sl7Q
Open Monumentendag The theme for Open Monumentendag 2016 is Icons and Symbols. 10 - 11 September, Groningen www.openmonumentendag.nl Najaarsplantenmarkt Autumn flower and plant market 24 - 25 September, Meeden www.tuingoedfoltz.nl
Noorderzon, performing arts festival 18 - 28 August, Groningen www.noorderzon.nl
Ballon Fiësta Meerstad Hot air balloon festival 2 - 3 September, Harkstede www.meerstad.eu Proeven in Groningen Food tasting event, coins cost €1,50 3 - 4 September, Groningen www.proeveningroningen.nl
Donderdag Meppeldag Each Thursday through out the summer, Meppel celebrates with a children’s flea market in the morning, and live music and performances in the afternoon and evening; each day has its own theme. 4 August The street theater festival legendary performances spectacular acts.
with and
11 August Amsterdam day, with singing, dancing and many famous Amsterdam artists. 18 August Street orchestras in the city center
Reitdieppop Free music festival for the whole family 9 - 11 September, Groningen https://goo.gl/s6UGec
25 August Day full of laughs with a circus and entertainment Connections #72
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Upcoming Workshop
DARE TO PLAY REAL BIG! Unleash your audacious YOU
Autumn is a good time to focus on yourself and to reflect on life. To support you in this complex but necessary process, Connect International is organizing an inspirational workshop called, "Unleash your audacious YOU : Experience profound and sustainable happiness" that will be presented by Blanca Vergara, an author, motivational speaker and heart-centered leadership strategist. No matter what your cultural and professional background is, during this two-hour-long workshop, you will learn to make first steps in letting go of blame, fear or complacency and discover how you can play real big. Blanca will dare you to embrace risk, seek new experiences and learn from setbacks. The three main topics you will be focusing on under Blanca’s guidance are: overcoming procrastination, creating sustainable personal change and dealing with setbacks. Are thoughts like these keeping you playing way too small? • I tried before and it didn’t work • I just cannot make this any better • They can do it; they are better • I give up • I will never be able to do it 5
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You can play bigger than you think. Blanca will show you how to access your potential. You might be quite successful now (in everybody’s eyes), but deep inside you do know that there is a higher level that you have not allowed yourself to become. There is a higher level of meaning, potential and joy for you. And you do want to once and for all be there: embodying your magnificent YOU. Blanca Vergara will share with you her story – how she fired her bad bosses: guilt, fear and blame, allowing her to play real big – and how you can do the same. Blanca's strong academic background, solid corporate experience, plus her Aztec heritage make her a mentor who not only understands the challenges of modern life but also has the vision and innovation to overcome them. To learn more about Blanca Vergara and her project, please visit www.blancavergara.com/
Information Center
Testimonials "Life changing! In life you meet many people but only very few have the power to change your life. Blanca has this power, and this is maybe because she does what she likes to do in life, and she does it very well. Only in one hour I saw her touching the heart of more than one person, all with different backgrounds, nationalities and ages". Carina Bravo Plancarte, Groningen/Mexico
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that LITTLE extra. That is Blanca , a woman with an extraordinary talent and aptitude to speak to others. It’s nothing enormous about her, just a little twist making a full modification. She’s not just another inspirational speaker and coach; it’s that extra that makes her reach into your heart giving you the strength to move the next mountain. Blanca has a self-confident attitude that can be contagious. Don’t let her pass by without catching it”. Laverne Hunt, Amsterdam
BREXIT And what it might mean for you
Back in June, the UK voted on whether or not to remain a part of the European Union. The outcome was that 52% of voters voted to leave the EU. So what now? Firstly, it is important to understand that right now, everything is as it was. The UK is still part of the EU, British citizens still have the right to live and work freely in the EU and do not need to rush out and apply for a Dutch residence permit or citizenship (unless you want to). Secondly, it is completely unclear what the eventual outcome of Brexit will mean. When Theresa May (the new British Prime minster) invokes Article 50, the UK will
have two years (maybe more) to negotiate its leave from the EU. In those negotiations the UK and EU have to come to an agreement on many aspects, such as trade treaties and freedom of movement. It is the outcome of those negotiations that will possibly affect British citizens living and working here in the Netherlands. As things develop and more information is known, Connect and the IWCN will help spread the word about what Brexit will mean for British citizens living in the Netherlands. If you have immediate worries, questions or concerns, you can contact Connect or the IWCN, and we will try our best to inform and help.
Written by Stephanie Fermor Connections #72
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Expat Tips
DUAL-CAREER WORKSHOP SERIES OFFERED BY RUG So, here you are in Groningen, facing many new challenges. You are busy settling into a new city and setting up a household, perhaps learning Dutch and building new social and professional networks. Perhaps you have already thought about the next step in your professional life, or about starting voluntary work. Or maybe you’ve applied for a job but have not yet received the good news you’re hoping for. You might have found that job hunting is not easy and that Dutch language proficiency requirements make it even more difficult. Dual-Career Support from the University of Groningen is offering a series of five workshops to help you with searching for a new job, voluntary work or a meaningful purpose in life which matches your wishes and talents. These three-hour workshops focus on learning by doing, and involve the application of knowledge and skills based on career-support theories. We will help you out with tips, tricks and knowledge regarding Dutch culture, particularly Dutch business culture. The workshops are designed for newcomers to the Dutch or regional labour market, whether they are in Groningen temporarily or permanently. The workshops are in English.
What is the specific content of these workshops? In today’s labour market, it is increasingly important for professionals to work continually on their personal development. Being able to reflect on your own skills and
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talents and a good grasp of soft skills, such as adapting to business culture in the Netherlands or elsewhere, are prerequisites for a successful career. There are three questions you need to be able to answer before you can successfully apply for a job: Who am I? What am I capable of? What do I want? The first three workshops in our series will focus on empowering you to find your personal and professional place in your new environment. You will learn how to use your specific experience, talents and skills and translate them into added value in your new context. Only then will you be able to define a feasible new goal and take your next step. In the final two workshops, you will learn how to present yourself in this labour market and how to apply for a job, and you will learn the necessary skills to successfully get where you want to go.
Expat Tips
Workshop dates 29 September, Annette Rauh Starting a Meaningful Life Abroad 11 October, Annette Rauh Looking into the Mirror 27 October, Fransis Bosch New Perspectives on My Way into the Labour Market 10 November, Fransis Bosch Do’s and Don’ts of Applying for a Job 29 November, Annette Rauh Networking Works! For more information about each workshop visit http://goo.gl/wVNhAE
What are the learning goals? After completing our series of workshops you will have gained: • knowledge about yourself as a person and as a professional in a new cultural environment • knowledge about how to make new career choices and how to present yourself, and the skills to do so • a basic set of skills and techniques to successfully conquer the Dutch labour market. In some cases, further individual career support might be advisable and/or necessary.
Cost For non-University people, the cost for the series of five workshops is 250 euros. Preference will be given to the partners of RUG staff if there are not enough spaces open.
Register Please register by sending an email to: dualcareer@rug.nl
The instructors Annette Rauh originally hails from Germany and has been living and working in the Netherlands since 1997. She uses her own experiences as an expat in Brazil and West Africa, and her 17 years of work in higher education in the Netherlands, to support expats in finding a professional future. Annette works closely with International Welcome Center North. As a career coach and expert in Dutch business culture and managing diversity, it is her ambition and desire to help talented expats find success in the Dutch labour market. Fransis Bosch is the owner of the Talent and Career Center, where she also works as a talent coach and trainer. Her creativity, energy and ability to see people’s potential talent allow her to inspire expats to find and be successful in their dream job. Fransis has been a career coach since 1991, and the recurring theme in her work is a positive human vision. Taking inspiration from the Talent & Career Center’s slogan and mission statement ‘Return on your talent’, and from the motto ‘Give me a job that suits me and I will never have to work again’, Fransis does everything she can to ensure that as many of her highly educated clients as possible find jobs that perfectly match their talent and qualities. Connections #72
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Netherlands and beyond
HISTORY OF THE TERP Not quite as flat as a pancake
Everyone knows the Netherlands is flat. Apart from the three hills in Limburg, flat, completely flat. Or is it? If one looks closely, particularly in the coastal provinces of Friesland and Groningen (and to a lesser extent, Noord-Holland and Zeeland), one can see churches, farms and even villages raised up on flattish hillocks. (There were once ones in Drenthe, but they have since disappeared.) These are known as terps (terpen in Dutch) and have been around since at least 500 BC.
Café Hammingh Garnwerd 9
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The word terp The word terp is from the Frisian, meaning ‘village’ and is closely related to the old English word thorp (plenty of place names in the UK with that ending) and the Dutch word for village: dorp. In Groningen the word wierde, meaning ‘height’ or ‘living hill’ is used. Place names showing a history of being built on a terp tend to end in –um in Friesland (Dokkum, Marum, Bakkum, to name a few) and in Groningen in – werd (Garnwerd, Selwerd for example, but also Saksum, Bedum), whereas those in Noord-Holland tend to end in –werf (e.g. Wieringerwerf). Interestingly, the capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden is an amalgation of several villages built on terps.
Allersmaborg Ezinge
Netherlands and beyond
History of the terp Terps were originally built to protect houses, whole villages and churches from flooding (by sea or river) and were communal constructions. They became higher as time went on and as human and animal waste slowly raised them up. Later, when dykes were built to control flooding and water levels throughout the region more effectively, they were no longer viewed as necessary. Due to the centuries of animal waste being dumped on them and concentrated there, the ground was very fertile. In the 18th and 19th century, they were dug up and the fertile earth sold to spread around less fertile ground. Unfortunately, this was done indiscriminately, thereby not only defacing the landscape but also losing much archaeological information and hundreds of thousands of artefacts from every day pottery and animal bones to Roman statuettes. All the ones in Drenthe were lost during this time. The practice was slowed and halted in the
mid-19th century when the government decided to tax the ownership of terps because of the sale of the fertile land. This had the added (unintended) bonus that all terps were catalogued and inventorised, allowing for present day historical and archaeological studies.
Terps today So terps today are not deemed necessary anymore, but many have survived and give a characteristic look to churches and villages around the northern coastal provinces. If you wish to visit some, check out the lists on Wikipedia, for example. The trip would be worth it just to discover and explore some of the little villages around the area, some of which are truly lovely within themselves. The provided lists are not comprehensive and once you know what to look for, you may be able to spot some and add them to the list yourself!
Written by Alexandra van den Doel
Terpkerk Saaksum Connections #72
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Food for Thought
CHEESECAKE IN A JAR Yummy summery dessert
Going on a picnic this summer? Or maybe hosting a BBQ for friends? This white chocolate and vanilla raspberry cheesecake is perfect! And it is served in individual jars so everyone can enjoy their own.
Cheesecake (makes 6) 200 gram Bastogne biscuits 100 gram butter (boter) 200 gram white chocolate (witte chocolade) 125 ml cream (slagroom) 100 gram cream cheese (roomkaas) 125 gram mascarpone 1 vanilla pod (vanilla stokje) or ½ tsp vanilla extract Sauce 200 gram raspberries (frambozen), can be frozen or fresh 1/2 tablespoon sugar (suiker) Juice of half a lemon 11
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Food for Thought
Break the Bastogne biscuits into fine crumbs (use a food blender, or rolling pin to break them up).
juice for about 10 minutes or until the raspberries are broken down. If you like, strain the sauce to remove the seeds.
Melt the butter over a low heat, then add to the Bastogne crumbs and mix well.
Divide the sauce between the jars and add the remaining raspberries.
Divide the mixture between the jars, pressing the mixture down firmly, so you have about a 1 cm layer.
Allow at least 12 hours in the refrigerator and enjoy!
Break up and melt the white chocolate in an bain marie (double boiler).
Don’t have any spare empty jars?
Put the cream, cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth, then add the white chocolate and mix it through.
You can buy new jars at places such as Blokker, Xenos, Hema and Action. Or use small drink glasses.
Divide the mixture between the jars.
Written by Stephanie Fermor
For the topping, mix on a low heat 2/3 of the raspberries with the sugar and lemon
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Information Center
IWCN SERVICE PARTNERS 2016 The IWCN has a wide range of reliable service partners for internationals living in the Northern Netherlands. The partners offer expert services in various areas, including Housing & Relocation; Legal Services, Insurance & Finance; Tax Consulting; Health & Child Care; Payroll & HR; Tavel & Leisure; Education: Recruitment; and Career Support. All of the partners of the IWCN offer services in English. The Student Hotel Centrally located in the hip and artistic Ebbinge Quarter, The Student Hotel Groningen is the perfect launchpad for adventures in this youthful, cultural city. Explore car-free Groningen centre by foot or bicycle. Local area highlights include the iconic Martini Tower, Mendini’s Groningen Museum and the English landscape park, Noorderplantsoen. At The Student Hotel, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind space that combines the energy and spontaneity of a university campus with the style and full-service amenities of a boutique hotel. In our super sleek communal spaces, everyone is welcome to kick back, relax, play a game of ping pong and soak up 13
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some of that groovy atmosphere.
Ziggurat Taaltrainingen Ziggurat Language Training Center offers individualized instruction, scheduled group classes, and company courses. The intake interview, given to all prospective students, establishes what the student wants and needs from a language training, the preferred learning style, and the current language level. The teachers and managers at Ziggurat look for different ways to help students learn the language faster and will adapt a course in any way to make it even better. When you give your time and best efforts to language learning, Ziggurat works hard so you get the most out of that time.
Real Estate Consultancy Vastgoed Real Estate Consultancy Vastgoed is a company known for its personal approach, creativity and involvement. We assist our customers throughout the rental process – a process that a tenant or a landlord can be unfamiliar with. We keep all the parties informed throughout the whole rental process. To rent properties from landlords and to accompany tenants to find the right accommodation are our strengths! Real Estate Consultancy is distinguished by the high level of expertise in the Expat market. If you are looking to buy a house or rent an
Information Center
accommodation, you can reach us seven days a week. The accommodations we handle are varied: from fully furnished accommodations to short term or long term agreements. We are ready to help.
accomodation, Hertz Rent a Car service, hotel booking agent to facility management. We are ‘focuzzed’ on service and quality in everything we do. Please visit our website or contact us to see what we can do for you!
Expats at Ease Your company recruits professionals from abroad. Expats at Ease understands that the expat (impat) has a more-than-full-time job, which does not leave much time to make all arrangements. We can assist you with all International Assignment Services and arrange for a smooth integration of all family members for which we have developed a tailored workshop, (“Gezellig hè?”) Never underestimate local knowledge. Your success is our goal.
Postillion Hotel
Holland Payroll
Connect Services
Holland Payroll is a recognized sponsor at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), which means we are allowed to contract with and guide highly skilled migrants and provide them with payroll solutions.
Arvode Arvode is your partner regarding the outsourcing of your HR and payroll. Our specialties include expat-international payroll, global services, single point of contact and our payment service. Personal, Knowledge, Flexible.
Focuz Support Focuz Support provides a wide variety of services, ranging from housing
Postillion Hotel Haren Groningen is a comfortable three star hotel, conveniently located near the city of Groningen. The hotel is located in a beautiful area in the center of Haren, which is a town near the Paterswoldsemeer and Groningen Airport Eelde, and only a five-minute drive from the city of Groningen. Moreover, the municipality of Haren has been awarded ‘Best Municipality of 2011′.
International
Relocation
Connect International offers high quality, personal relocation services to help internationals settle with ease. Successful relocation is a complex process. It requires organization, professional implementation and comprehensive follow through. We cover all stages of relocation: immigration, pre-arrival, orientation, home finding (lease negotiation, setting up utilities, etc.), settling in (registration with the municipality, arranging a bank account and insurances, etc.), and long-term personal support. Our dedicated Relocation team always goes the extra mile. Consequently, the result of hiring Connect International for relocation help is an uncomplicated new beginning for the expatriate and family and thus a motivated and more quickly operational employee.
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Information Center
HLB Nannen
Annette Rauh Coaching & Consult
The accountants and tax lawyers firm HLB Nannen has sites in Groningen and Emmen. Although we are part of a national and international network, HLB Nannen has retained its local focus. Our company has been rooted in the north of the Netherlands since its beginnings in 1942 – our employees are from our region, speak the language and are involved. We like to provide personal advice on your tax matters and make sure you do not miss opportunities. It goes without saying that we can help you meet your fiscal obligations.
Looking for a job in the northern Netherlands? Wondering how you can keep your career attractive and balanced while living abroad? Expat career coach Annette Rauh helps make your career match to job possibilities in the Netherlands.
Beljon + Westerterp Beljon + Westerterp is one of the five largest HR consultancy agencies in the Netherlands. Committed with professional advice, and a specialized knowledge of recruitment, development and interim management, Beljon + Westerterp helps people and organizations to optimally use their talents and opportunities. From our national network of offices, we offer services to organizations in the profit and the non-profit sector at the level of management and professionals, board of directors, management board and board members and regulators.
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Lefier Lefier strives every day to provide affordable housing in good neighborhoods. We are client-focused and involved in the local communities. Lefier rents good accommodations for a fair price and in diverse price classes. Soft-furnished and fully-furnished rentals are both possible.
Boxx Global Expat Solutions Boxx Global Expat Solutions is a completely independent (privately owned) service provider that is fully specialized in the international tax, social security, immigration, HR, legal and coordination aspects of corporateglobal mobility. Boxx and its employees are dedicated and passionate about global mobility. We see our business as a human-to-human activity; we bring our business by being up close and personal. Would you like toget to know more about Boxx? Then visit our website!
Information Center
Groningen Airport Eelde
Mevrouw Smit studiebegeleiding
Since its founding in 1931, Groningen Airport Eelde has become a very complete international airport, located near Groningen, and offering high quality facilities and a market-orientated approach. Groningen Airport Eelde wants to become the first choice in airports for vacationers and the business world in the northern part of the Netherlands. A few of the advantages of Groningen Airport Eelde are the accessibility, the favorable departure times and the quick check-in.
Stuck at school? Don’t know what’s expected of you in your studies? At Mrs. Smit’s study house, you will learn how to study! Through a personal phased plan, you will rediscover the joy in learning and improve your test grades, so you can regain control of your studies. After a year of study counseling at Mrs Smit, you will find which type of studying suits you best and under which circumstances. Mrs Smit also gives extra tutoring to students who need extra support for a course.
High Standard Travel
Pallas Attorneys-at-Law
High Standard Travel focuses on organizing beautiful, accessible and high quality trips for individuals as well as groups. These trips can be daytrips but also multiple-day trips abroad. The company knows its destinations, its accommodations and its guides, and the bus is driven by one of the founders. In almost all cases, the organization can satisfy the requirements of the clients.
Pallas Attorneys specializes in employment law and employee participation law. Within this area of expertise, Pallas Attorneys engages in advising, guiding and litigation for employers, employees, directors, expatriates, freelancers and works councils.
SKSG Prostruct Prostruct is a nationallyand internationally-operating employment agency within the area of civil engineering, offshore, construction and engineering. The agency specializes in the recruitment of technical specialists with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree for middle and senior positions at contractors, engineering agencies, authorities, housing associations, architects and industrial companies. Prostruct is an organization that brings the candidates and clients together and opts for a sustainable relationship.
SKSG (Stichting Kinderopvang Stad Groningen) provides all forms of professional childcare at childcare centers and with child-minders spread over the city of Groningen and the region.
Vidend Consultancy Vidend Consultancy is a financial consulting firm that focuses on SME’s, director major shareholders, expatriates, accounting and administrative offices and freelancers. Their services relate to taxes, finance and insurance.
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Information Center
Blue Umbrella
KeyPro Housing
Blue Umbrella is a professional and experienced full service provider for Dutch tax matters. It is their mission to help your international staff to stay compliant with the Dutch Tax Rules and Regulations. Blue Umbrella acts as an English language interface between your staff and the Dutch Tax Administration.
KeyPro Housing offers fully-furnished homes in all major cities of the Netherlands tailored to the needs of you or your (international) personnel. KeyPro will ensure appropriate housing with a suitable interior design for any budget and of the desired quality.
Europass ABN AMRO Bank ABN AMRO offers private customers, private bankers and corporate customers comprehensive financial products and services. They provide in-depth financial expertise, broad knowledge of many sectors and an international network for the purpose of national and international activities.
Language Groningen
Centre
University
of
Communicating successfully starts with language skills and cultural understanding. Advanced proficiency in communication will increase your opportunities. The Language Centre combines academic expertise and innovative learning with practical experience for professionals and students.
Van der Meulen Makelaars Van der Meulen Makelaars is a major rental agent in Groningen. Specializing in the rental of furnished accommodation in Groningen, their wide range of properties consists of houses and apartments, with or without gardens, for both temporary or indefinite stays in and around Groningen. 17
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Europass is an initiative of the European Commission facilitating mobility in working and learning. Ensuring qualifications and competences are transparent is essential to improving the mobility between European countries and national sectors.
Groningse Schoolvereniging The GSV is a regional primary school with a Bilingual and an International Department. Their Bilingual Department provides lessons in both English and Dutch, while in their International Department, the children are taught in English.
International School Groningen The International School Groningen serves the secondary school needs of the International Community in the north of the Netherlands. The International School Groningen educates young people to become responsible world citizens through creative, critical and meaningful contributions to society.
Information Center
UTS Van Hoek
Inter-Being
UTS Van Hoek is the moving company of Groningen for all your national and international removals, project removals and storage of household effects, inventories and archives.
Inter-Being offers psychological counselling and coaching by a psychologist and counselor in English, Dutch, Slovenian and Croatian in the center of Groningen and in Amsterdam. Skype and/or telephone sessions are also possibilities. Inter-Being strives to help their clients to find their own answers and solutions to problems through a relationship based on mutual respect, equality and empowerment.
Talent and Career Center The Talent & Career Center has over 20 years of experience in the field of talent and career development of people with a higher education, has a broad international academic network, knows what is happening on the labor market and would like highly educated professionals and organizations to benefit from that.
More information and contact details can be found on the IWCN website, www.iwcn.nl
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