SERVING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY www.access-nl.org Free for you to pick up Dutch Castles & Gardens 2018 Summer In this issue | Exploring Dutch castles & gardens | Tuning in with internationals | Reviewing Monday morning emails | Discovering re-purposed churches | At home in a hofje | Zein Holiday Camps Join the adventure... Whether you’re looking for something fun to keep your child occupied, or you need full time care while you’re at work, Zein has the answer! Exciting English-speaking Activity Day Camps offering a great range of sports, crafts, games, workshop activities and field trips. Running Monday to Friday across multiple locations in The Hague region during all school summer holidays for children from 4-12 years. Multi-Activity Camp Multi-Sports Camp STEM Camp (Science, Cookery Camp Technology, Engineering & Math) Art Camp Performing Arts Adventure Camp Multi-Sports Camp Camp with a focus on Football www.holidaycamps.nl for details & registration Zein International Childcare Day Care Pre-School After School Care Holiday Camps Summer issue - 2018 - Summer Camps.indd 1 5/22/2018 9:48:43 AM Letter from the Editorial Team Dear ACCESS readers Collaboration is a way of life at ACCESS, and this issue has witnessed it at the ed itorial level. Expertly planned by Mandie van der Meer, assisted by Nancy Kroonenberg and Kelly Merks through the editorial phases, supported by our Funding and Advertising teams, and coordinated by Deborah Valentine, we can happily say this group effort has worked in the preparation of our summer issue. Deborah Join us as Alice Burke takes us through stunning castles and gardens in the Netherlands. Joshua Parfitt introduces us to the Dutch hofjes and Anuja Tipnis- Randive leads us through an exhibit on Knights and Castles. Maybe you would like to give our ‘royal recipe’ a chance and share your experiences with us? We are introduced to international podcasts and radio programmes by Tracey Taylor; and teachers at international schools by Olivia van den Broek -Neri. Mandie Discover with Molly Quell just how creative the Dutch can be when re-purposing churches. We are, though, all part of the expatriate experience: the ups, downs, and in - betweens. So, to support us all, Deborah Valentine talks to a therapist about the value of Emotional Focussed Therapy for expat couples, and Ute Limacher-Riebold has reviewed a unique book with a lot of resources for parents, leaders, entrepre- Kelly neurs and more. Oh, and did you see our new website — www.access-nl.org? We are so happy it is Editorial Team finally launched and welcome your thoughts about it. With appreciation for all the teams at ACCESS who share their time and expertise with us, and make it possible to serve you, the international community! Sincerely, The Editorial Team ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 3 About ACCESS Colophon For 30 years ACCESS has been an independent Publisher not-for-profit organisation serving Stichting ACCESS internationals so they may settle successfully Editorial content in the Netherlands. Our mission is to provide [email protected] essential, comprehensive and unique services Advertising nationally, through the expertise and 070 345 1700 experience of our dedicated volunteers from [email protected] the expatriate community. Editors Mandie van der Meer-Danielski, Our magazine complements the services we ACCESS Magazine Deborah Valentine provide through our Helpdesk, FAQ Guides, aims to be: Counselling Service Network and Trainers Assistant Editors • welcoming Network. Our intention is to further facilitate Nancy Kroonenberg, Kelly Merks our readers’ settlement process in your new • informative home, by providing content which helps you • educational Design & Layout better understand the country; discover • entertaining Marek Moggré, M-space things about it you may not have been aware • original of; encourage connection with your Dutch Printer neighbours and colleagues; and offer con- Edauw en Johannissen Drukkerij tributors a platform to share your skills. Cover image Have feedback for us? Interested in contributing to the magazine? Muiderslot Please contact the Editor at [email protected]. We love to hear from Contents images (clockwise) our community! Muiderslot, Sierhuis Fotografie, Executive Board: Chairman: Gary Hays, Valshebnik Consulting . Museon The Hague, Ben Blass, Members: Koosje Ploegmakers, ABN AMRO - Godelijn Boonman, GMW Issa Shaker Advocaten - Lowri van der Linden, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, Pauline O'Brien, Council of International Schools. Contributors 0900 2 ACCESS (0900 2 222 377) Aafke Mertens, Alice Burke, Anuja local rate 20c per minute Tipnis-Randive, Bob Powers, Joshua @ [email protected] James Parfitt, Molly Quell, Olivia van den Broek, Shimrit Florentin, Tracey www.access-nl.org Taylor, Ute Limacher-Riebold Laan van Meerdervoort 70 - 1st Floor Join ACCESS on 2517 AN The Hague 4 | ACCESS | WINTER 2017 10 Summer 2018 Vol. 31 No. 2 Circulation: 5,000 Also available online at: magazine.access-nl.org Contents 7 What’s On for Summer 10 Cover Story Historical colour in a Dutch landscape 19 International Community 19 Tuning in with internationals 23 Travel A new life for old churches 29 Review Letter writing 7 the expat way 31 Food Secrets from the castle's kitchen 32 Arts & Entertainment Journey through medieval times 35 Education Teachers' stories: the international school experience 39 ACCESS News 40 Health & Wellbeing Keeping the romance alive 43 Dutch Lifestyle At home in 35 a hofje 45 Humour from DutchNews.nl Copyright ACCESS 2018 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. 32 ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 5 Settling in, simply. We’re here to make it easier for internationals to work and register in the Amsterdam area. Qualifying companies can start the paperwork before arrival and a single visit to International Newcomers Amsterdam (IN Amsterdam, formerly called the Expatcenter Amsterdam) will complete the process. What’s more, our website has loads of valuable information on a wide range of topics including education,taxes, healthcare and housing. The cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere, Diemen, Haarlem, Haarlemmermeer, Hilversum and Velsen are working with the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (IND) to bring you the IN Amsterdam services. To learn more please visit: www.inamsterdam.com What’s On Special events in June Festival Mundial Finish of the festivalmundial.nl (Dutch only) Volvo Ocean Race volvooceanracedenhaag.nl/?lang=en 23 - 24 June – Tilburg 24 June - 1 July – The Hague Feel like something different? Fresh? Non-mainstream? This festival is it! Held every three years, this yacht sailing Cultural and musical diversity are key race has been making waves as the words to describe this laid-back event. world’s longest. After taking off from Featuring both emerging and estab- Spain in October, the Volvo Ocean Race lished artists, Festival Mundial offers will end in The Hague for the first time in plenty of opportunities to discover your its history, and you can be there to wit- next musical obsession while dancing in ness it! The race village offers activities the streets of Tilburg. PHOTO: KEES STRAVERS PHOTO: for children, competitions, exhibitions, music, and lots of water sports to try out. Animé 2018 animecon.nl 15 - 17 June – The Hague De Parade deparade.nl (Dutch only) Originality and quirkiness guaranteed at this animated celebration of modern 29 June - 2 September (dates vary by city) Asian popular culture. Featuring cosplay, manga, games, special guests, and Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam much more. Choose from a huge list of events including competitions, music De Parade offers unique and exclusive music, theatre, and dance performances in a and dance, food and drink, lectures, and t­­­ra velling festival format that visits all four major cities in the Netherlands. Children will speed dating! also not be bored with performances and workshops especially for them, and of course there is always lekker food and drinks. Which city are you going for this year? Kunst aan de EE 2018 www.irisandersmooi.nl/kunst-aan-de-ee/ 29 June - 8 July – Woudsend Kill two birds with one stone by visiting this great art exhibition and one of the loveliest villages in the Netherlands. Alongside paintings, photographs and jewelry, you can also enjoy works made with various materials: glass, bronze, ceramics, and more. As 60 artists will present their work, everyone is sure to find something to their liking. Be sure to combine your visit with a stroll through the cozy village of Woudsend; you will not be disappointed! PHOTO: JOEP VAN AERT VAN JOEP PHOTO: ACCESS | SUMMER 2018 | 7 What’s On Special events in July Kids Mud Run Drentse 4 Days Rotterdam Unlimited bijdaanevents.nl/kids-mud-run of Cycling rotterdamunlimited.com/en/ fiets4daagse.nl (Dutch only) 1 July – Emmen 24 - 28 July – Rotterdam 24 - 27 July Various locations in Drenthe Put on your dancing shoes and head to Rotterdam for this huge celebration of cultures. The streets of Rotterdam This four-day bicycle tour truly offers will be overwhelmed by 'a wave of something for everyone. Take an easy color, music and an incredible boost bike ride through one of the scenic of energy.' Picture yourself