Hoi! This is a quick account of a fresh expat experiencing the most incredible summer of her life in the Netherlands. Let me introduce myself: I am Silvia, an Italian, and I have been living in this lovely green country for the past 3 months. Drawing from my international experience, I would like to offer some insights if you ever decide to immerse yourself in the unique Dutch culture.
1 – Firstly, avoid referring to the Netherlands as Holland.
In fact, Holland constitutes just two of the 12 provinces of the country – North and South Holland, located along the western coast. Therefore, by calling the country Holland, you inadvertently exclude a significant portion of the nation — roughly two-thirds! It is worth noting that the national rebranding dates back to 2020 when the Netherlands was officially used during the Eurovision Song Contest in May and the Olympic games in Tokyo.
2 – Next, be prepared to make a lifelong companion: a fiets.
Bikes are a must-have in the Netherlands, and you might find it puzzling that typical Dutch bicycles lack manual brakes and that simply pedaling in reverse slows and stops them! Despite sounding complicated, it is much easier than you might think! Moreover, you will hardly find hills and mountains high enough across the country, making biking an overall pleasant experience, except when it is really windy.
3 – Speaking of the wind, my third piece of advice is this: do not trust the weather!
It can transform up to four times in a single day, so dressing in layers is highly recommended. And do not be taken aback if you spot Dutch individuals cycling through heavy rain as if it were nothing; they view rain as invigorating!
4 – If you want to eat out, brace yourself to rendezvous with your Dutch pals at 18:00!
6 pm is the customary dinner hour, signifying the conclusion of the workday and the time when most shops close, except on Fridays. So, it might be best to anticipate the weekend if you want to unwind after work in the city center!
5- Now, what about the Dutch keuken?
While the Netherlands does not boast an exceptional food culture, there are a few standout delights. I am referring to stroopwafels (syrup waffles), appeltaart (apple pie), pannenkoeken (pancakes), and, of course, fries! Interestingly, the fries here can even be sweet and orange-hued, resembling carrots. They are undoubtedly one of the things you become addicted to!
6 – Last, but certainly not least important.
Almost everyone speaks perfect English here, so if you do not know the local language, you will not face any linguistic barriers. Nonetheless, acquiring some Dutch language skills will enable you to engage in deeper conversations with locals and immerse yourself more fully in the culture. In fact, an increasing number of expats are choosing to enroll in Dutch language courses, particularly if they’re planning an extended stay in the Netherlands.
In this regard, at UPB, you can explore courses tailored to various needs via this link: https://www.unapalomablanca.com/allcourses.php
Now, all you have to do is pack your bags and embark on the journey of discovering this incredible country! Doei doei!