Housing: Why We Chose the Slow Life Down South

Nastaran tells her family’s story about how and why they chose to live in Heerlen (southern Dutch province bordering Germany and Belgium). Among the family’s many considerations were: housing prices; the serene aspects of suburban living; desiring a spacious house with a garden and close...

Finding Myself Through Cultures

Belonging is usually defined as being part of something — a group, a category, a collective you’re meant to fit into. But what happens when you don’t fully belong to any group? When shared nationality doesn’t create closeness, when language doesn’t guarantee familiarity, or when...

Dogs ‘n’ cats… and ferrets?

For many, a pet is an important member of the family so when you move to another country, you take it with you. Even your ferret. Or perhaps you live in the Netherlands and are thinking about adding a bundle of fur to your life....

Why you should not quit: The art of not giving up

Imagine yourself sitting in a front row of your favourite cinema. The movie captivates your attention with a full spectrum of human emotions. As it unfolds, the story shows the main character facing many obstacles, but never giving up.

Taking care of your business

So, you’ve moved to the Netherlands, or you’ve been here for a while, and you’ve got a great idea for a business making and selling a new kind of left-handed scissors, or a self-heating teacup, or you simply want to set up as a self-employed...