access autumn magazine

www.access-nl.org

5 About Access

services & volunteers

7 Letter from Lucy Scott,

new Executive director

8 Community news

10 Cover story – Biking in

the Netherlands

14 Words of Encouragement

17 Help kids excel

18 Dutch design – New Blue

20 De-mystifying coaching

23 Travel – Maastricht

My Pug

and I34


Maastricht23

26 Volunteer Profile

29 Bach Ensemble

31 Theatre, Life’s a dramatic comedy

32 It’s all talk

34 My pug and I

37 Culture shock! Brazil vs Holland

40 Food is food – culinary column

44 ACCESS courses Amsterdam

48 ACCESS courses The Hague

52 Events calendar

54 ACCESS Who’s Who

ACCESS - The HagueZeestraat 100, 2nd floor2518 AD The HagueT. 070 - 346 25 [email protected]

ACCESS - AmsterdamPrinses Irenestraat 591077 WV AmsterdamT. 020 - 423 32 [email protected]

Open monday

through friday

10 am - 4 pm

10

PHOtO By MArC VAN WOuDENBErg

Cover and article photos courtesy of ©Shirley Agudo, American photojournalist and author of Bicycle Mania Holland.

| content Autumn 2010

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (“ABN AMRO”) is not licensed to conduct banking business or sell insurance products in the United States under applicable federal and state laws. The offering, sale and/or distribution of this product or service can also be limited to other persons by the laws and regulations of other jurisdictions. Every (future) client is obliged to make inquiries after and comply with such restrictions. Neither this document, nor any copy there of may be sent to or taken into the United States or distributed in the United States or to a US Person.

At ABN AMRO we are aware of the cultural and other differences you will encounter in the Netherlands.That’s why we’ll do everything to ensure that you won’t have to worry about your banking matters. Our International Client Service starts with quick and easy

Internet Banking in English. But we communicate in more than 20 different languages. For advice on more complex financial issues, you can count on the expertise and assistance of a Preferred Banker. Would you like to discover more about our service?

THAT’S WHY WE OFFER FINANCIAL SERVICES ESPECIALLY FOR EXPATS

PLEASE VISIT ABNAMRO.COM/INTERNATIONALCLIENTS

YOU’VE GOT ENOUGH TO DISCOVER

210008624 2231 Adv 215x280.indd 1 26-08-10 17:11

Culture shock:

Brazil vs Holland

37

access | AutuMN | 5access | AutuMN | 5

From humble beginnings, ACCESS has grown to

become a leading source of free, personalised infor-

mation in the English language for the Expatriate

International Community in the Netherlands. Our

offices in The Hague and Amsterdam are staffed by

an enthusiastic team of around 160 volunteers who

have experienced the expat relocation process and

are able to provide comprehensive information,

advice and support, as well as empathising with the

experience of individuals on all aspects of living and

working in the Netherlands, particularly in The

Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam regions, also

known as the Randstad area of Holland.

ACCESS receives over 20,000 enquiries a year and is

widely recognised as the primary source of free infor-

mation in English in the Netherlands. ACCESS is

actively supported by local authorities and govern-

ment ministries, and provides regular feedback to

such bodies on the experiences and expectations of

the International and Expat communities moving to,

relocating or living in the Netherlands.

ACCESS is governed by an Executive Board made up

of representatives from the business community,

community organisations and an Executive Director

responsible for overall management.

Additionally, ACCESS is recognised and supported by

the Mayors of The Hague, Amsterdam and

Rotterdam, by several leading Ambassadors and rep-

AboutEstablished in 1986,

ACCESS is a not-for-profit

organisation committed

to supporting the

International Expatriate

Community in the

Netherlands.

resentatives from the commercial sector, all of whom

make up our Honorary Board. Each office has a

Management Team comprised of volunteers as heads

of departments. Each Management Team is respon-

sible for the general organisation and administration

of its office. ACCESS is supported by both Dutch,

International and Expatriate businesses and organi-

sations through donations and varying levels of

sponsorship, each providing benefits to the sponsors

in return as well as help, advice and support to their

expat and returning local employees.

Volunteering for ACCESS

We have a team of up to 160 volunteers in The Hague

and Amsterdam. We offer volunteer opportunities in

areas including marketing, event management,

advertising, fund raising, IT, finance, database

research, copywriting and much more. The core of

our team is our Help Desk volunteers, this is the

front line of our service – helping and advising expats

over the phone, by email or by personal consultation.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us, you can volunteer

for as few as 6 hours per week and at your conve-

nience. Contact us at The Hague at vrd-dh@access-

nl.org or Amsterdam at [email protected]

Finding ACCESS

In The Hague we’ve recently moved office and have

now settled into Zeestraat 100, which has generously

been provided by the The City of the Hague. You’re

always welcome to come and see us in the Stadhuis

Atrium at The Hague City Hall, along with the Xpat

Desk team, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5 pm.

In Amsterdam you can now find us in the

ExpatCenter in the World Trade Center on Tuesdays,

Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9-12. We are

also kindly supported by the ExpatCenter

Amsterdam. You’re also always welcome to call in to

our office – we’re based in the Amsterdam

International Community School – 2nd floor –

Prinses Irenestraat 59.www.access-nl.org

Quality day-care for your child, peace of mind for you

International Child Care HouseComme à la Maison

Duinweg 1, 2585 JT Den Haag0031 (0) 70-404 9750

[email protected]

• Special activities: art, gymnastics, music and dancing

• Registered with the GGD. An active Parents' Committee

• Warm, nutritional and balanced meals available daily

• English and Dutch-speaking groups of children aged 0-to-6

• Secure environment, fully equipped for play, sleep and educational needs

• Swimming: unique to day-care, a chance to experience the world of water

www.calmkid.nl

Comme à la Maison is an international childcare center in The Hague. We provide a warm and welcoming home for both Dutch and English-speaking children.


Letter from the Executive Director

Dear ACCESS readers,

ACCESS memory stick

We’ve had quite a lot of change at ACCESS recently including my

appointment as Executive Director. I’m proud to take responsibil-

ity for an organisation that gives advice and help to over 20,000

expats each year, with a dedicated and amazing group of volun-

teers from all four corners of the world. Volunteers who like you

live, or have lived, international lives. And we’re always looking

for new volunteers where you can use your skills and experience

and meet and work with some fantastic people.

After seven years living in Australia and now 2½ years here in The

Hague, although the kids are now settled in at the British School

and my husband is busy at Shell, I can still remember how daunt-

ing living in a new country can be, and how difficult things can

sometimes seem when you are so far away from home. And that’s

why ACCESS is here – to help and offer advice. Please don’t ever

hesitate to contact us – we’re always ready to listen.

If you have any feedback on the magazine, on the services that

ACCESS offers or any ideas I’d love to hear from you.

Warm regards,

Lucie Scott

[email protected]

We’re delighted to announce the

launch of the ACCESS memory stick

– ACCESSING the Netherlands.

The memory stick will give you all the

information you need on first arriving in

the Netherlands and for your ongoing life

in Holland. Memory sticks weigh less than

a bag of crisps – or ‘chips’ and you can just

open the information you need at the click

of a mouse – no more heavy books and

multiple leaflets to plough through. There

will also be some free space on the memory

stick for you to save your own documents.

And there’ll be information included from

some of our partners.

As well as being able to buy the memory

stick at the I’m Not a Tourist Fair in

Amsterdam on October 10th, you’ll also be

able to buy it from our ACCESS on-line

shop at www.access-nl.org/shop/index.htm

With the weather shifting into cooler temperatures, and darker

days, a warm autumn welcome to all of you. As we move into our

25th year we decided we needed a makeover, so as well as the

‘new look’ ACCESS magazine in your hands, you’ll soon be seeing

our new and improved website to be launched later in the year.

Our thanks to Dijkman Publishers in The Hague who created

our new style.

I also have to say a big thank you to the Netherlands Foreign

Investment Agency who have made a generous and welcome

investment in ACCESS as part of their programme to improve hos-

pitality to, and the quality of life for, expatriates and internationals

living in the Netherlands.

or from either of our ACCESS offices as

well as at the Xpat Desk in The City Hall of

The Hague.

Living in a new country can be a tough experience. Day-to-day differences, such as customs and lan-guage, can have more of a personal impact than you might expect. Additionally, ordinary and unexpected life situations may prove more challenging when faced in a different country away from personal support net-works and resources you had at home. At times like these you may benefit from professional support, which ACCESS can provide through a referral to our counsellor network.

The Counselling Services of ACCESS were established in 1986

to meet the needs of the international English speaking com-

munity in the Netherlands. The ACCESS Counselling Network

consists of professionals having practices all over Holland. Our

counsellors are men and women who are psychologists, mental

health counsellors, and social workers from a variety of differ-

ent cultural backgrounds. All counsellors have a minimum

Masters level degree with at least two years supervised work

experience. They offer a variety of expertise in different areas,

including:

•adjustmentdifficulties •childrenandfamilies

•marital/relationshipissues •AIDS/HIV

•anxiety •careerchallenges

•depression •suicide

•sexual/emotional/physicalabuse •eatingdisorders

•lossandbereavement • learningproblems

•substanceabuse •psychologicalevaluations

•cross-culturaladjustment •medicallyrelatedproblems

•sexualityissues

In addition to English, a number of ACCESS counsellors speak

other languages including Dutch, German, Spanish, French

and Italian. All referrals and counselling services are confiden-

tial. Fees are set by the individual counsellors.

Contacting a Counsellor

Every month, two of the ACCESS counsellors are on-call, they

can provide a free referral to a member of the ACCESS

Counselling Network who is best placed to assist you. Please

contact the helpline at your local ACCESS office or for more

immediate attention out of office hours, details of the month’s

on-call counsellors can be found on www.access-nl.org

learning Adults

and

Children

Dutch Language Courses• Beginner to advanced • Dutch for business • In-company courses & private tuition • NT2 exam preparation

For further information call 070 315 4080 www.britishschool.nl/languagecentre

English Language Courses• Beginner to advanced • Business English • In-company courses & private tuition • CELTA teacher training • Cambridge exam preparation

for life

Language

ACCESS Counselling Network

8 | access | AutuMN 8 | access | AutuMN access | AutuMN | 9access | AutuMN | 9

young Writers in print:

Friendship book features competition winners

Community News

You’ll find us at the I’m Not A Tourist Fair run by

Expatica on Sunday, October 10th. The Expat Center

Amsterdam have kindly invited us to share their

stand. Please call in and say hello – you can also

purchase the NEW ACCESS memory stick.

Source: www.expatica.com/iamnotatourist

We were delighted to have our annual ACCESS networking & fund

raising event hosted by the British Embassy in the British

Ambassadors Residence, and extend a big thank you to Paul

Arkwright and his staff. We had over 150 people attend from national

and local government, organisations and businesses that support

ACCESS. Many thanks to all those that attended and generously

donated to the ongoing and valuable work of ACCESS. See page 51

and www.access-nl.org for the list of sponsors and donors.

Community support ACCESS at the I’m Not a tourist Fair

The UNESCO World Heritage Site will

take in the area around Amsterdam’s

three main canals: the Herengracht or

Patricians’ Canal, the Keizersgracht or

Emperor’s Canal, and the Prinsengracht

or Prince’s Canal. The three waterways

run parallel to each other in a crescent

Amsterdam’s Canals Now a uNESCO World Heritage Site

shape, giving the city centre its character-

istic semi-circular shape when viewed

from the air. Many of the canal houses

were built in the Golden Age, a period of

great progress and prosperity in 17th-

century Amsterdam. It comprises a net-

work of canals to the west and south of

the historic old town and medieval

port. According to UNESCO, who

awarded the title of World Heritage Site

to the 17th century canal ring area

inside the Singelgracht, the historic

urban ensemble of the canal district of

Amsterdam was a project for a new

‘port city’ built at the end of the 16th

and beginning of the 17th centuries.

Amsterdam has been working to win

world heritage status for its 17th cen-

tury centere since 2006. Locations on

the list can obtain UNESCO funding for

maintenance or to restore damage. But

more significantly for Amsterdam, the

World Heritage tag is a source of pres-

tige, and boosts the location’s status as

a tourist destination.

Source: UNESCO/NBTC

Community News

The ‘global city by the sea’ comprising

Scheveningen (The Hague beach) will be

further protected with reinforcements in

the form of an attractive new boulevard

designed by Spanish architect Manuel De

Solá-Morales. Not only will the boulevard

appeal to the 20 million visitors attracted

to the coast each year, as part of the

Scheveningen Master Plan the structure

also serves as a dike barrier to keep the

water from reaching beyond the shores to

the city. Construction will continue

through 2013.

Every young writer wants to be published.

So perhaps the best prize of all for the win-

ners of the Young Writers Competition,

organised by the The XPat Journal, The

International Herald Tribune and

DutchNews.nl, is the publication of a book

featuring their work.

In total, nearly 700 young writers from 40

different schools took part in the competi-

tion, launched last September, and submit-

ted stories, poems and plays based around

Scheveningen begins work on new boulevard

the theme of friendship. The book con-

tains the 15 winners and some 40 runners-

up – picked by the judges on the basis of

their imagination, emotion, insight, and

writing skills.

Being expat children, there were a lot of

stories and poems about leaving people or

being left behind themselves. Some were

terribly sad but others full of hope and

optimism. All 700 original entries have

also become part of the Expatriate Archive

Centre’s collection so every story and

poem, not just those in the book, will have

a place in history. The book can be ordered

via www.hollandbooks.nl or purchased from

ACCESS offices or online bookshop.

10 | access | AutuMN access | AutuMN | 11

By OLIVIA VAN DEN BrOEk-NErI

ACCESS VOLuNtEEr

Who hasn’t almost been run over by kami-

kazee tourists poorly navigating on two

wheels? While the phrase ‘go with the flow’

may be apt for the experienced ‘ fietser’

knowing the rules of the road is a good

start. Cycling is so ingrained in the Dutch

culture, that children are given bike traffic

lessons in grade school in order to get their

‘fiets diploma’ proving that they know how

to be safe while cycling and follow the

rules. In fact, the Dutch, undaunted by

wind or weather use their bikes all year

round. They love their bikes so much that

May has been designated national cycling

month, with lots of activities.

www.meimaandfietsmaand.nl

Rules in motion

In Dutch traffic law, bicycles form a sepa-

rate category, and some special regulations

apply, which may be different from those

there’s no better way to see the scenery in the

Netherlands and enjoy nature. Everyone cycles:

adults, children, teenagers, the elderly, students, and

even professionals. Cycling is a way of life, and

popular because a continuous network of cycle

paths are maintained, making it convenient and

easy to get around town. It’s also efficient, energy

saving and environmentally friendly! More than

1.3 million new bikes are sold annually from over

3,200 bike shops. So enjoy cycling, the Dutch way!


for motorised traffic. In short, the traffic

law distinguishes between ‘slow traffic’

(bicycles, mopeds) and ‘fast traffic’

(motorcycles and cars). Indeed, driving

while under the influence will net you a

hefty fine if caught ‘drunk driving.’

As pedestrians and other cyclists are obvi-

ously not mind readers, do use hand sig-

nals when preparing to make a left or right

turn. Simply put your arm out in the direc-

tion you want to turn. You also need to stay

on the bike paths; cycling is not allowed on

sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas, and

certainly never on the highway. Cyclists

also share the bike paths with mopeds, so

keep to the right-side of the bike path so

that they can pass you. They are much

faster, so do keep that in mind to avoid a

collision.

Assuming your ears are not filled with ear-

pods and the sounds of music in motion,

make sure you can be heard! Bikes have

bells for a reason! Warn other cyclists as

you approach and need to pass them and

use the bell to warn pedestrians who are

blocking the bike path! And speaking of

blocking, it’s allowed to ride alongside

another cyclist, but cycling with three peo-

ple wide is not permitted. Make sure you

can be seen as well, even with laws stating

that cyclists must have proper lighting and

reflectors on their bicycles, many people

do not abide by the laws. Disregarding the

law is dangerous and can result in a fine.

Wearinglightcoloursand/orareflective

the Netherlands

has over 15,000 km

of bike paths

vest is helpful at night. Bicycle helmets are

not required, though sport cyclists are

wearing them.

Follow the path

The Netherlands is a small country, and flat

as a pancake, which makes cycling a very

practical form of transportation. Bike

paths are distinguished by red tiles or pave-

ment, sometimes with a cyclist symbol on

the pavement. Follow the signs, as bike

paths and bike roads are indicated by a

blue circular sign with a white bicycle sym-

bol. Some roundabouts have cyclist lanes

around them, with signposts directing the

cyclist to a destination. They are also

marked with priority, with roads connect-

ing the cycle ways to the roundabout, so

you don’t keep going round in circles...

others have separate cycle paths around

them. Tunnels are common around motor-

Flat as a pancakePHOtO By BEN DEIMAN

12 | access | AutuMN access | AutuMN | 1312 | access | AutuMN


ways to avoid busy road junctions and traf-

fic lights, although for some reason they

often smell like urinals. When crossing riv-

ers, bridges are used, but at times there are

no separate bike paths and cyclists are

forced alongside automobiles. So do be

careful. There are plenty of types of bikes

to choose from. Stadsfietsen (city bikes) and

omafietsen (grandma bikes) generally are

used for every day trips, including going to

schooland/orwork,andrunningerrands

around town, whereas a sportfiets(exercise/

sport bike) is a more convenient bicycle for

longer trips. A special type of ATB (all-ter-

rain-bike) is the mountain bike, but

because of its flat terrain is not often used

in the Netherlands. An electric bike offers

the possibility to get electric support while

cycling. Because it does not require as

much strength, it is especially useful when

it is very windy. In Dutch this is called

“trapondersteuning,” which means that you

have to bike yourself, but the electric motor

will support you. You can choose between

bikes that offer no support, little support,

average support or a lot of support. Prices

range from second-hand bikes for about

E75 to super-deluxe top-of-the line f0r a

few thousand euros.

Whatever fits

The Dutch are big on transporting children

by bicycle, but there are laws and safety

requirements for cycling with children.

Since 1990 it has been law that only chil-

dren younger than eight years old can be

carried on a bicycle, and they must have an

effective seat with support for their hands,

feet and back. Several ways of transporting

your children are: in front of you, at the

back, in a bakfiets, or in a so-called fietskar.

Bakfietsen (cargo bikes) are transport bikes

with three wheels and a large front bucket.

It is common to see parents transporting

children around in bakfietsen because the

box is low to the ground making it is easier

to transport more weight, so you’ll see

them filled with kids, dog, groceries, you

name it, whatever!

SPECIAL OFFER: You can download the complete new ACCESS Bicycling in the Netherlands information booklet, free-of-charge, via the website (see publications). www.access-nl.org

“ the Dutch transport

children, pets and

almost everything

else by bicycle.”

PH

Ot

O B

y B

EN

DE

IMA

N

PH

Ot

O B

y B

EN

DE

IMA

N

access | AutuMN | 13

You will also be amazed to see mums or

dads with a kid on the front handlebars

seat and one on the back of the bike, and

possibly a baby in a kangaroo carrier as

well. The Dutch are quite good at getting

around. Women cycling in spike heels and

tight dresses do so like its a breeze, same

as persons moving people, goods, pets

from A to Z in a variety of balancing

manoeuvres.

Bicycle thefts

Even though the Netherlands is a safe

country, bike theft is a big problem:

Amsterdam is said to be the bike theft capi-

tal of the world. In 2006, some 760,000

bikes were reported stolen, about 5% of

bicycles in the Netherlands. If people on

the street ask you if you are interested in

purchasing a bicycle, know that these are

possibly stolen. To help prevent your bike

from being stolen, park at a guarded bicy-

cle parking lot. Make sure you have a

sturdy lock for your bike, and make sure

you fasten it to something stationary, like a

bike rack, pole, or tree. Do not park your

bike in places that have signs posted say-

ing, ‘Geen fietsen plaatsen.’ (No bike park-

ing.) Otherwise you may find it confiscated

by the police, and you’ll have to pay to get it

back again.

Enjoying cycling

There are plenty of routes where you can

cycle. Landscape-wise some of the most

interesting areas are the coastline, includ-

ing the Wadden Islands, the national parks

“De Hoge Veluwe” and “De Veluwezoom,”

as well as the hills in Limburg. However,

exploring towns and villages can be fun,

and suggested routes are readily available

at tourist and bicycle shops. Riding a bike

in the Netherlands is a good way to inte-

grate into Dutch society, and with these

tips you can be ready to join the Dutch on

the bike path! «

PH

Ot

O B

y S

HIr

LE

y A

gu

DO

Did you

know... Some

85% of the popu lation

has at least one

bicycle.

Resources/links related to cycling in the Netherlands

• www.fietsberaad.org or www.bicyclecouncil.org (center of expertise on bicycle policy in NL, a ‘knowledge institute’ with masses of information)

• www.nsfiets.nl (information about taking your bicycle on the Dutch trains)

• www.vvv.nl (national tourist information office, advice on cycling/walking routes)

• www.anwb.nl/fietsen (national motoring/touring organisation), info on cycling

• www.fietspad.nl (hundreds of biking routes)

• www.fietsersbond.nl (Dutch association and interest group for cyclists in NL

• www.ov-fiets.nl (for fast access, public transport bikes at some 200 user destinations; subscriptions cost €9.50 per year. Returning the bicycle, the key is scanned, and the rental price of €2.85 per 20 hours is automatically deducted)

• www.oudefiets.nl (history of the Dutch bicycle and various models)

• www.fietsen.123.nl (for enthusiasts, with routes, news, agendas, tips)

• www.holland.com, American edition www.holland.com/us (Netherlands Board of Tourism; see ‘Discover Holland/Active/Cycling’)

Tips courtesy of www.bicyclemania.nl

14 | access | AutuMN access | AutuMN | 15access | AutuMN | 1514 | access | AutuMN

Words of encouragementAbcoude. Sarah had been tutoring a child

in the village in English and was looking

for a way to organise English lessons of

some sort there, as well. Sarah has a back-

ground full of volunteering and teaching

experiences. She was born in Singapore,

and brought up in Malawi, Central Africa.

Her father is a teacher and currently the

voluntary directory of Open Arms orphan-

age in Malawi.

When Sarah was 18, she moved to Zanzibar

to teach English in a local school for a year.

She then returned to England and com-

pleted her degree in Sociology and

Anthropology at Hull University. After

graduation, she moved to India where she

taught English at an international school.

“From a young age my parents stressed the

importance of doing things for other peo-

ple regardless of material gain,” Sarah said.

While in India, Sarah met Bastiaan and

moved with him to Amsterdam in 1998.

In 2004, Sarah and Bastiaan became par-

ents and decided to move to Abcoude.

Fun learning English

Art and Sarah established Fun Learning

English Abcoude VOF in March 2009. Art

had his volunteer teaching experience, but

decided to get a TEFL certification to help

give him more insight into how children

learn new languages.

In May 2009, Art and Sarah began giving

official lessons at the school of Art’s sons.

They immediately had a quarter of the

entire school taking the course! In

September, they had an information eve-

ning for the remaining three schools in

Abcoude. The interest was instantaneous.

They had over 230 children wanting les-

sons! Art and Sarah began hiring other

native English speakers to teach the les-

sons, as there were far too many students

for just the two of them.

“The challenge has been to keep the quality

high, and to keep our teachers well

trained,” states Art. The mission of Fun

Learning English is to improve the English

of students from age 4 to 12. The classes

meet before and after the normal school

day in groups of 4 – 8, all children of simi-

lar age and language capability. All of the

Fun Learning English teachers are native

English speakers who are enthusiastic

about working with children. They use

games, songs, reading aloud and even per-

form short plays to interest the children in

a fun way in the English language.

There are a number of advantages that

learning English provides for the children.

Early learning gives the children more self-

confidence, it prepares them for middelbare

school (high school) and it helps them with

learning additional languages later on.

“We take advantage of a child’s innate

desire to communicate. Having fun while

learning English is the key to our busi-

ness,” Art states. “It’s not just about hav-

ing fun during the lessons. We’ve been to

“ Having fun while learning English is the key to our business.”

see a few baseball games with the students,

teachers and parents. We’re organising a

summer camp this year for kids who want

a boost before school starts again. We help

the kids put on plays in English for the

school during the year. Anything we can

think of to help stimulate them to commu-

nicate in English is fair game,” adds Sarah.

Sarah has a special talent in coming up

with an endless variety of lesson themes

and material that are both fun to teach and

fun to learn. Some recent examples of les-

sons that she created are ‘World Cup

Fever’, ‘Making a Pizza’ and ‘Working in a

Toy Store’. Every week there is something

different for the children and the teachers

to enjoy. “It’s not just about fun learning

English, but just as much about fun teach-

ing English. We try to keep our teachers

engaged by organising regular get-togeth-

ers where we share experiences and pro-

vide training on the various lessons that

Sarah comes up with,” says Art.

Art and Sarah are now expanding Fun

Learning English into Amsterdam. Their

goal is to grow it through out the

Netherlands for the next few years, then

on through Europe.

If you’d like to know more about Fun

Learning English, or to become a FLE

teacher visit their website:

www.funlearningenglish.nl. «

Education

It always seems to be

one small, simple

thing that inevitably

causes life to change

in unexpected ways.

For Art Olender, it

was the moment that

he decided to spend

some of his free time

volunteering at his

sons’ school.

During his hectic first years in Amster dam,

Art met Catherine, a Netherlands native.

The two married, moved to Abcoude, and

three boys later, Art concluded that trying

to combine his demanding career with

raising a family was less than ideal.

American-born Art (Miami, Florida) was

educated at Vanderbilt University in

Nashville, Tennessee, and received his

Masters Degree in Computer Science. As

one of the founders of IEX Corporation,

Art moved to Amsterdam in 1997 to open

his company’s first international office.

Back to school

In 2008, he took a parental leave with the

idea that he would look for a job that would

allow him to spend more time with his wife

and children. Initially curious as to what

his sons were up to all day, Art began vol-

unteering at their basisschool (elementary

school). His original assignment was to

read stories in English, one day a week, to a

few 10-year olds who were having trouble

with English. Within a couple of months,

however, it grew into English lessons for

the entire school (4 -12 year olds)!

Art was enjoying taking small groups of kids

and teaching them games, reading stories

and singing songs in English. They even put

on short plays to help them overcome their

fear of speaking English. After volunteering

for nearly a year and seeing how much fun

the kids were having, and how much fun he

was having, Art decided to look into ways to

turn this into his new career.

Almost by coincidence, Art met Sarah

Bevis, an English woman living in

By CANDACE CONNEr-kABELA

ACCESS VOLuNtEEr


Education

By MArIE DEWuLF

ACCESS trAINEr & VOLuNtEEr

Relocating to another country can be a fab-

ulously rich experience for some chil-

dren. But for others, it can be more diffi-

cult as they have lost their familiar points

of reference. It is important to keep in

mind that when moving house, a child may

require a great effort to adapt their life-

style, to make new friends, to get used to

another school, culture, language, etc.

Fear of having to be up-rooted again can

create a difficulty in thinking about the

future.

School results do not only depend on a

good education, an efficient memory and

regular support... They also depend on a

child or teenager’s acceptance that they are

responsible for managing their everyday

life and their future goals.

In parallel with the support of quali-

fied school staff, you can also

contribute to your children’s

progress by using coaching

techniques. Coaching uses a

question and

answer method that enables your

child or teenager to become con-

scious of any problems and their

subsequent consequences. The

child can then determine for him-

self what needs to be done

to change the situation. Nothing

is imposed, the child discovers

Help your children

the solution and therefore the child is

motivated to take responsibility and

action to follow the path to the solution.

Here is an extract of the method:

1) What do you think of the situation you are in

now? How is that a problem for you?

Here, the child discussed a difficulty, a particular

situation encountered at school and/or at home.

Often, children unconsciously use the

defence mechanisms they have to avoid

feeling responsible and guilty. They often

trivialise situations “I didn’t do well but it’s

not really a problem because neither did

my friends.” Or victimisation: “it’s not my

fault; it’s the teacher who didn’t explain

well enough or doesn’t like me.” A difficult

situation can also hide fears, awkward-

ness, mental blocks, for instance: “ever

since my best friend’s left, I feel lost.”

“People are laughing at me.” “I don’t even

know how long we’ll be here for.” “I’m

afraid to leave home next year to continue

my studies...”

2) What will be the short and long-term conse-

quences if you don’t solve this problem, now, for

yourself ? What do you risk losing if you don’t

change the way you act and react?

As soon as the child becomes aware of

what is happening now, he can very clearly

seethepositiveand/ornegativeconse-

quences of his actions if he doesn’t change

hisbehaviour/attitude/actions.

3) Give me five solutions that would help resolve

this problem. Which one do you choose to act

upon as of today? When will you start? What do

you expect to achieve?

The answers commit the child to take

action, to make a plan and to look forward

to a positive outcome.

4) Knowing yourself, which are the strategies you

could be tempted to use to sabotage this action?

Blame the teacher, not being able to say no

to a friend, spending too much time online.

5) What signs do you think will indicate to you

that you are on the right path?

Encourages the child to visualise success.

Succeeding

This type of coaching encourages finding

new points of reference and techniques. «

learn, evolve and excel!

For more information

Marie Dewulf, [email protected].

City of The HagueThe Hague Hospitality Centre

email: [email protected] telephone: 070 353 5043, every working day from 9.00 until 17.00 hoursvisitor’s address: City Hall of The Hague, Spui 70 (Atrium)opening hours: Monday through Friday from 9.00 until 17.00 hours

THE HAGUE IS JUST A CLICK AWAY!

WWW.DENHAAG.COM

Your fi rst point of contactfor (new) residents of the city of The Hague

22198_GDH_Xpat_Advertentie_190x135.indd 1 11-11-2009 16:29:32

Academy for Counselling and Coaching

You can gain valuable skills and experience that make a positive difference in your personaland professional sphere. This course provides ample opportunity for useful learning anddevelopment and can be a starting point for setting up your own practice.........

The training for Counselling and Coaching is given in or Your trainer is Els Barkema - Sala, an international professional in counselling and coaching.

.

The Hague Amsterdam - TeleClasses

Expand your personal skills and professional repertoire and Register now for the newEnglish-language Diploma Course in Counselling & Coaching.

Els Barkema-Sala, MPhil, MBACP at071 - 52 82 661 or [email protected]

- (mind: double ll)

Ask for further information

www.counselling.nl

English-language Diploma Course Counselling & Coaching Exciting International classes with people from all over the world


Since the Netherlands is the world’s Number One cycling

country, we have to make our ‘steel horses’ a showpiece. The

cycle-bags from Esschert Design prove functionality can abso-

lutely be very cheerful, super handy and most hip! Visit any

bike shop for an assortment of styles!

ring your

bell!

My favourite bookmark

New blueEverybody knows Delft blue pottery.

It was found as a cheaper alternative to

the valuable Chinese porcelain. Factories

started producing tiles, plates and vases.

Nowadays the souvenir shops are full of

Delft blue windmills, canal houses and

‘wooden’ shoes. But we’ve found more

original items with the centuries old print.

Dutch Design shopping

Since the bicycle bell became compulsory on Dutch bicycles in 1906,

it went through a long development. No longer

enormous, rusty steel things with a sound of sand and dust, but modern, cute plastic ones with a charming Delft blue print giving a happy ring. So ring your bell! Bicycle bell € 5,95 www.hiphollandhip.nl.

Booklovers alert! No more dog-ears or free

bookmarks with ads for your favourite book, but a

beautiful handmade book-mark, made from silver coloured

metal and ceramic. Now you won’t lose your place…

Bookmark € 8,95/6,95 www.delftsblauwesieraden.nl.

trendy bags add a splash

of colour and style!

Multi functional

Ocean treasures

East West Home is best

Flower or flip flops?

Looking for an original Dutch gift that can be sent by mail? This K’Do

Ding (literally: gift thing) is a foldable carton.

The happy recipient may fold it as a box or

bowl, use it as a package wrapping

or thanks to the coating even use it as a vase. A perfect

match accented with red tulips!

K’Do Ding of Coen € 24,95 www.thinkingofholland.com.

Suppose, on the bottom of the South Chinese Sea you find a ship’s wreck from the VOC era. (East India Company). In the wreck are porcelain trea-sures from the 17th century Ming dynasty. The undamaged plates were auctioned off for €7.000,-. So, why not make jewellery out of the broken shards, as Saskya & Co does? All pieces of jewellery are one-of-a-kind and provided with a certificate of authenticity. Bracelet € 249,- www.saskyasouvenirs.nl. Prices as from € 110,- to circa € 300,-.

Who says summer is over? In Holland, September weather can be unexpectedly warm and sunny. So keep the Holland Box ready to go. Fill it up with chicken wings, salmon wraps, home made tuna salad, club sandwiches and off you go to the park or the beach. The box has a fast-lock toggle that fits on the front, or rear carrier, on your bicycle. Holland Box € 49,95 www.fastrider.nl.

What’s the story with the Dutchies and their shoes? In the old days they

used to walk on wooden shoes, now they’ve come out with flip flops in Delft

blue print… Just press them easily out of the tulip flower. In the sizes 34/35,

36/37, 38/39 en 40/41. Slippers € 8,95

www.kadoomdehoek.nl.

Just because it is so traditional… for the Dutch speaking amongst you: also available with Dutch sayings and proverbs. To remind you that all clichés are really true. Bathroom tile € 3,50 www.hollandsouvenirshop.nl.

Chess boring? For chess lovers or Holland fans, to play a game, or to place on the side table as decoration, with this beautiful board, chess becomes fun! The wooden figures come in white and indigo blue. Did you ever beat a white horse with a blue lady?Chess board € 12,95 www.jolandaschultz.de.

Check mate!

PH

Ot

O B

y W

WW

.CA

ME

rO

N-S

tu

DIO

.NL

For Indian summer days

20 | access | AutuMN access | AutuMN | 21access | AutuMN | 2120 | access | AutuMN

Resources: Coaching bodies• International Coach Federation (ICF) www.coachfederation.org

USA based

• Association for Coaching www.associationforcoaching.com UK based

• Nederlandse Order van Beroepscoaches (NOBCO)

www.nobco.nl Netherlands based

• European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC)

www.emccouncil.org

Europe based

Coaching Schools• Coach U

www.coachinc.com Co-active coaching www.thecoaches.com/coach-training

• Results Coaching www.resultscoachingsystems.co.uk

• Coachville www.coachville.com

listening, reflecting back, etc. in order to

help you unlock your inner resources and

keep you moving forward.

It is said a coach does NOT need to have

knowledge of the industry in which they

are coaching and in fact sometimes it is

better if they don’t! However, we now see

that coaches often specialise in an area that

is related to their previous experience. For

example, a former marketing executive

might decide to promote themselves as the

marketing coach. A photographer friend of

mine found a coach specialising in helping

photographers and she loved it because

she felt he really ‘got’ what her issues were.

What types of coaching are there?

Coaching is not yet a regulated profession

and therefore coaching classifications are

inconsistent. In general, you can think of

coaching as having these main categories:

Personal/LifeCoaching–whichfocuses•

on helping individuals in any area of

their personal lives. E.g. life purpose,

relationships,work/lifebalance,confi-

dence and self-esteem, health, stress

management, career choices

Small Business Coaching – which •

focuses on supporting entrepreneurs,

owners or managers of small businesses

Corporate/BusinessCoaching–which•

aims to improve the individual’s perfor-

mance and operational effectiveness in

the business environment

Executive Coaching – which is specifi-•

cally focused at senior management

level and CEOs. A coach is expected to

be comfortable exploring business

related topics at this level.

The coaching profession is now diversify-

ing into specialist areas. For example, you

can find Leadership coaches, Career

coaches, Relationship coaches, Health

coaches, Weight Loss coaches,

Performance coaches, Transformational

Coaches, Youth coaches to name but a few.

New specialities are popping up all the time.

How do I choose a coach?

Before choosing a coach, do your home-

work. Too many people call themselves a

coach without having had any formal

coach training. Therefore you must be dili-

gent in asking for the credentials of your

coach, finding out about their background

and the coaching philosophy or model

which underpins their coaching work. A

qualified coach will have completed a

coach-specific training, will have achieved

a designated number of experience hours

and will have been coached by a mentor

coach. Finally, your coach should be

accountable to the code of ethics and stan-

dards set forth by a reputable coaching

body, e.g. the ICF.

Aside from qualifications, another impor-

tant ingredient in the coaching relation-

ship is the ‘click’ between you both. It is

important that you feel completely com-

fortable with the coach and that you feel

you can trust them implicitly. Interview two

or three coaches before making a decision

and trust your intuition. A coach should

never pressure you to sign up for coaching

and don’t feel obligated to work with him

or her if it doesn’t feel right. You can find a

helpful list of questions to ask a coach

from the ICF website.

Coaching is a wonderful tool to help you

achieve your full potential. Coaches come

in all shapes and sizes, they are passionate

about helping people and, without a doubt,

there is a coach out there who is just

perfect for you. «

About the author:

With a passion for helping people to achieve their true potential, Jacinta Noonan’s career as a coach and trainer is more a divine calling than a job choice. She is the founder and director of www.soulworks.nl for personal coaching, for body image and weight loss coaching www.bigontheinside.com and www.branch-out.eu for corporate coaching. E-mail: [email protected]

By JACINtA NOONAN

De-mystifying Coaching

It is hard to believe that

10 years ago coaching

was relatively unheard

of in Europe. But since

then the growth of the

profession has been

phenomenal. In this

article, I will try to

de-mystify coaching,

explaining what it is

and what it isn’t, and

provide tips on how to

choose a coach.

What is coaching?

First of all, let’s try to

define coaching – if that’s

at all possible. The

International Coach Federation,

(ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with

clients in a thought-provoking and creative

process that inspires them to maximise

their personal and professional potential.”

What does this mean?

Coaching aims to help you to achieve your

goals and aspirations and at the same time

help you to overcome the barriers holding

you back. Coaching is about challenging

comfort zones, changing habits, revising

beliefs and celebrating achievements.

It’s about getting fresh perspectives,

enhancing thinking skills and improving

personal effectiveness. The role of your

coach is to facilitate this process by using

coaching skills, for example powerful

questioning techniques. Together with

your coach you define inspiring goals,

formulate a strategy and create a plan to

help you realise your goals. Your coach will

hold you accountable to the commitments

you make to yourself, thus ensuring you

remain focussed and on track. When work-

ing with a coach, people tend to move

beyond what they would normally achieve

on their own.

Why would I hire a coach?

Coaching can be used in any area of your

life where you feel you are not living up to

your full potential. You might decide to use

a coach if you are at a turning point and

need some clarity on which path to take.

Ormaybeyouwanttocreatemorework/

life balance but find yourself making

excuses instead of changes.

Perhaps you have a passion that

you’ve always wanted to follow

but never dared go for it. You

might be struggling with a new

promotion and need support as

you adjust to the new role. Maybe

the lack of progress with your fit-

ness/weightlossgoalsfinallymotivates

you to get help. Almost any situation can

be improved through coaching.

What coaching is not!

Coaching is not therapy. Coaching does

not try to resolve deeper underlying issues

which are the cause of more serious prob-

lems. Therapy is an appropriate interven-

tion if you are going through a major life

crisis or are extremely distressed by a per-

sonal issue. Therapy will tend to focus on

the past and how that impacts the present.

A coach will not help you explore your past

and deeper psychological issues. This is

the role of therapy. Coaching is present

and future focussed and is action oriented,

taking you from OK to Great! A degree in

psychology, therefore, is not a prerequisite

to being a coach.

Coaching is not mentoring or

training

Mentors and trainers are experts in a par-

ticular field who pass on their knowledge

and expertise to a novice. In coaching, YOU

are considered the expert on you and the

coach is the expert on questioning, active

Health

Coaching can help you

find your passion in

life!


DIJKMAN PUBLISHERSU I T G E V E R S / S P O N S O R E D M E D I A

Dijkman Publishers is a multimedia publisher in the center of The Hague. We are specialized in

development, production and publishing of sponsored media including websites. Dijkman Publishers

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and education. Our strength is fluent and accessible editorial content without losing the message.

Clients a.o. Vestia, Texaco, Allied Breweries, NMi, Meeùs, Berk Groep, Window on the Netherlands, Fluor Daniel, Rocks, NVM, Rabobank.

Communication is not a goal but a tool to accomplish goals

The bigger picture

Koninginnegracht 8 P.O.Box 84416, 2508 AK The Hague, the Netherlands. T: +3170 302 33 00, Contact: J. Dijkman


I N F O R M A T I O N , A D V I C E A N D S U P P O R T F O R Y O U R L I F E I N T H E N E T H E R L A N D S

pick up your own free copy

Autumn 2010

Special features | Culture shock! Brazil vs Holland | Visit Maastricht |Coaching | Dutch Design | Learning languages | Courses | Events | Volunteer profi le | Food | News

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Travel

By SHEILA gAzALEH-WEEVErS

Maastricht is the capital of Limburg, the

most southerly province of the Netherlands,

which hugs the borders of Germany and

Belgium. A scenic province which offers

farmland and woods in the north, flat river

and lakes in the centre to hilly, undulating

countryside in the south. It was populated

as early as 750 BC, became a Roman settle-

ment with villas, hot spring baths, and

vineyards. Vulnerable by its situation, it

was often under siege by the Dutch, the

Spanish and the French. Hence the need

for its fortifications.

Following the period of Spanish rule, the

north and south developed differently, the

north becoming a maritime trading region

where Dutch was spoken, and the Catholic

south (Brabant and Limburg), developing

coal-mining and manufacturing, but

speaking French and Flemish. Perhaps

influenced by their neighbours,

Limburgers are known to be hospitable

bon vivants, who appreciate good food and

fine wines.

Maastricht is a vibrant cultural, educational

and political centre with a prosperous but

turbulent past. It has a wealth of history,

art, culture, and matching tradition, and is

known for its countless ancient churches,

elegant historic buildings, and its city walls.

More recently (1991) the agreement to

establish the European Union and a com-

mon currency was historically signed here.

you will be at a loss

to find windmills,

wooden shoes or

tulip fields. If you are

interested in history,

churches, or shopping

this is the city for you.

Maastricht


Travel

Do not miss the two principle museums,

the Derlon Museum in the Derlon Hotel

and the Bonnefanten Museum. Built in

1983 in the oldest part of the city on what

was a garden, the plot of the Derlon Hotel,

it transpired, hid the remains of a Roman

settlement which together with its artifacts

were then cleverly incorporated into the

design of the hotel basement. Across the

river from the old town centre, is the

Bonnefante Museum with its archeological

relics as old as 250,000 BC. It has also

medieval art, sculpture, silver etc. as well

as contemporary art exhibits.

The Fortifications of Maastricht will be of

interest to military buffs. Originally built

by the Romans, those remaining were built

in the 13th century. The VVV has a brochure

to guide you on a walk along them, point-

ing out the Hell Gate, the Plague House,

the Natural History Museum, the Bishops

Mill, St. Martin’s Almshouses and more.

In October, there is a three-hour guided

tour of the Casements (1575-1825), the

underground mining passageways which

were later used as hiding places and for the

movement of troops. (VVV reservations

necessary.)

More of Maastricht

• Crossroads web magazine, edited by Sueli Brodin contains a wealth of information on Maastricht region, news and activities. She is a French/Brazilian/Dutch resident, living here since 1994, who won the Expat of the Year 2010 award. www.crossroadsmag.eu

• The new Expat Guide for the Maastricht Region 2010 ‘Bright site of life’ with 33 pages of essential information. Download your free copy: www.zuidlimburg.nl/upload/div/expat-guide-maastricht-region.pdf

• Find out more about the Maastricht region with culture, housing and much more. www.maastrichtregion.com

• International Women’s Club of South Limburg www.iwc-sl.nl

• The VVV Tourist information www.vvvzuidlimburg.nl VVV Maastricht, Kleine Staat 1 6211 ED, T: 043 325 21 21

• More city information can be found on www.maastricht.eu

Maastricht has a lively international atmo-

sphere, pavement cafes, culture, good food

and great shopping. Different from the rest

of this country, you will be at a loss to find

windmills, wooden shoes or tulip fields.

If you are interested in history, churches, or

shopping this is the city for you. To begin

with the churches, make for the Basilica of

St. Servatius. A Medieval cruciform basil-

ica, which among its many important trea-

sures boasts the remains of the city’s first

bishop and the largest bell in the country.

Close by is St. Janskerk, built in the 14th

century, with a tower you can climb.

The Vrijthof, Maastricht’s large and very

popular square is just behind. Full of

colourful shops and restaurants, it is

where many festivals take place - though

in former times it was where executions

took place.

Walk on past the Dominican Church to the

Markt square and the Town Hall, which is

also open to visitors. North of the Markt is

St Matthias’ Church and close by, the

Dinghuis, Kleine Staat 1. Built in 1470, it

was the seat of the Chief Justice but is now

home to Maastrichts Tourist Office.

Similarly the Caves of Mount St. Peter,

labyrinths of hundreds of years of mining

excavation some 124 miles long, which

have been a place of refuge for centuries.

Emergency provisions from WW1 and

WW11 can still be seen and names, dates

and hometowns are also still visible

scratched into the walls. Not to be missed

are the 37 acres of Linie van du Moulin,

a complex of fortifications (1773-1737 with

dry trenches, bomb-proof shelters and

mine galleries. (One-hour guided tour.)

Events in Maastricht draw tourists from far

and wide. Here the biggest manifestation

of Carnival in the country is held the week

before Lent; the famous International

Antique Fair in March; the St. Servatius

Fair in May; the Burgundian Gastronomic

Festivities in August, and the colourful

Christmas market throughout December,

all on the Vrijtof. The weekly antique and

curio market is held Saturdays 10 am to 4pm.

Staying over is highly recommended and

there are hotels for all purses, from the

usual chains to the Delon mentioned

above. But here you can also find unusual

accommodation in a castle or a covent.

The well restored Kasteel Vaeshartelt is in a

Special Offer:

For complementary information, addresses, and particulars a copy of Here’s Holland can be purchased from ACCESS at the special price of €24.50Also from bookshops, VVV City Tourist Offices and Help Desks, Amazon.com or, [email protected] for €27.50 incl. postage. www.heresholland.com

large park on the edge of town and is both

unique and affordable, while the Kruis-

heren hotel is a restored monastery, com-

plete with church, in the middle of town.

Author Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers has pro-

duced nine editions of Here’s Holland -

the Expats’ comprehensive guidebook

to travelling and living in the Netherlands. «

26 | access | AutuMN access | AutuMN | 27access | AutuMN | 27

Spanish, French and Dutch relations

Anne Nielsen de Bérard is

one of many people who

are completely immersed

in an international lifestyle,

while setting up her own

business and actively taking

part in the British School of

the Netherlands community.

Meeting Anne, we were

curious to find out more.

For example, it is amazing to see my

Japanese niece and nephew trying to

explain things to my Danish mother-in-law

by trying to find words she can relate to

(the reverse is true as well, my children try-

ing to show my Japanese “family” in Tokyo

how much they appreciate being in Japan).

Q: How did you settle here in The Hague?

Very easily, probably the easiest country to

settle in with exception to London!

However, after travelling so much around

the world I have learned a few tricks: get

involved very quickly with all kind of

groups and activities to avoid being alone

and thinking negatively. Then open your-

self up to new ways of doing things, of

thinking; if they do it this way, it might be

for a reason that I do not know or under-

stand yet, but worth trying to respect. Then

a bit of luck, I suppose: my husband

strongly pushed me to recommence my

PHOtO By VALérIE BErNArDINI

wine studies when we were in London.

Today I have my own wine and spirits busi-

ness and this allows me to “carry” my job

around the world whilst enjoying the free-

dom of an independent activity and insur-

ing my children settle smoothly in any new

environment.

Q: How are the children doing?

Our children are attending the British

School, which I guess is another oddity in

our family. Being a total stranger to the

British education system I thought I would

participate in helping the community: now

I end up being the Chair of the PTA (Parent

Teacher Association). Being involved in

such a responsibility without the stress of a

normal job is a fantastic way to work with a

team with their various personalities.

Furthermore, you get to know so many

people that you would have missed other-

wise; all of them rewarding to know: a big

melting pot of ideas, attitudes and thinking.

Q: Where is home now?

That is probably the most challenging

question. Undoubtedly all those experi-

ences contribute to building up an incredi-

ble social network while increasing your

comprehension of the world. We feel at

home very quickly everywhere, especially in

Europe, but you can have that feeling in

various places: I felt at home while I was

taking the metro in Tokyo and I could not

read a word of Japanese, even with the tre-

mendous effort our Japanese teacher put

into teaching us before going there!!)

However, the hardest is to come back to

your native country, whatever country it is,

and feel that nothing has moved nor

changed. This in a sense is true and not

true. While travelling, I have changed and

find it probably more difficult to settle in

an environment I know well.

Worst of all, French natives living in France

sometimes ask me if I would feel more

comfortable switching to English! Many of

my French words are not in daily use any-

more so they do not think I am French! On

an overall basis, the international life style

is a daily challenge but rich enough in

experience not to be missed, and not to

mention we can support so many football

teams!!! «

“ get involved with all kind of groups and activities.”

Volunteer Profile

I remember my small self braving the adult

world by claiming high and loud “I am

American.” Our oldest son did the same

when he was five years old with curly blond

hair claiming aloud: I am Guinean! (His

first country!!)

Q: How did you arrive in the Netherlands?

Obviously that wide opening to the world

at such an early stage in my life had its

down sides: we had no clue where we

belonged. However, what was certain,

above all, was that we were “different”

everywhere we went! We had two uncon-

scious choices to make: either we had to

reject completely that extremely interna-

tional aspect of our lives OR we had to

embrace it, maintain it, and go even fur-

ther into differences. We chose the latter: I

married a Dane and left my home country

for many years, having lived in many

places; Africa, United Kingdom, Denmark

and now the Netherlands for the past four

years. My brother expatriated himself to

Japan, opening the family to a new world

that we hardly knew, with our lovely

Japanese sister-in-law.

Q: That is indeed an international family. How

do you cope with such a variety of cultures within

your own family?

Today, and looking back at our youth, it

has been a wonderful experience of toler-

ance and patience. Always wanting to

know more and discover more. Someone

said that children, who speak various lan-

guages at an early age, do not tend to try to

make their surroundings understand

them, but instinctively try to find how their

surroundings might communicate with

them: which is a totally different approach.

Q: So Anne, where do you come from?

I grew up in a bicultural family: my father

is of mixed Spanish and French back-

ground whereas my mother is entirely

French. My siblings and I grew up sharing

summer between Spain and France.

Already back then we realised that we were

different: In France we were called the

Spanish and in Spain the “Frenchies”: We

were both though! It grew even more inter-

national when our father moved the whole

family to the US, in a small town Jackson

Tennessee, for a few years before reaching

something “slightly” bigger: Detroit.

There our feelings were not clear: we just

wanted to be part of something, to belong

to one culture.

Culinary & wine expertise

The Wine SeriesLearn all about fascinating wines with Anne Nielsen de Bérard’s wine workshops! www.anneswines.com

Amsterdam

Advertising Sales•

Fund Raising•

Marketing•

The Hague

Advertising Sales•

Fund Raising•

Marketing•

Database•

Finance•

ACCESS needs you!

We have some open positions that need to be filled by enthusi-

astic volunteers. Are you interested in using your skills to help

ACCESS become even better? Just contact your ACCESS office of

choice. Would you be interested in editing this magazine? We’re

lookingforanEditor/web-editorforeditingourwebsitewhich

will be re-launched later this year. And of course writers to con-

tribute articles. Photographers are also welcome, and proof

readers. Come join the ACCESS editorial team!

Please contact Lucie Scott at [email protected]


The BSN is a leading British international school with four campuses in The Hague area.

We are a thriving and supportive expatriate community made up from over 80 nationalities. We offer a stimulating learning environment and the highest standards of education for children aged 3-18 years.

Contact us today to arrange a visit and see for yourself why the BSN is The International Choice.

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For more

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Admissions: 070 315 4077www.britishschool.nl

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the Residentie Bach Ensembles

Arts & Entertainment

Do you know Johann Sebastian Bach? Of course you do! What you

probably do not know is that the Residentie Bach Ensembles, con-

sisting of the Residentie Bachkoor, the Residentie Kamerkoor and

the Residentie Bachorkest, perform various compositions by Bach

in some of the most atmospheric churches in The Hague. And

we’ve been doing this already for more than a century.

Every season is built around the celebrations of Christmas and

Easter, where the grand works for Choir and Orchestra are per-

formed. This year in the holiday season we will bring you Bach’s

Magnificat and an anthology of his Weihnachtsoratorium. In between

you will hear Corelli’s famous

Christmas Concerto’. The concert will

take place on Friday, December 17, in

the Kloosterkerk on Lange Voorhout, in

The Hague. Our artistic leader Jos

Vermunt will conduct the Residentie

Kamerkoor, the Residentie Bachorkest

and five soloists with international

reputations.

Passions

On the eve of Easter 2011, you are most

welcome to join our performance of

Bach’s St. John Passion. On Maundy

Thursday, April 21, 2011 the Residentie

Bachkoor and the Residentie Bachorkest

will perform this more dramatic passion

in the Grote Kerk in the city centre, with

Jos Vermunt, joined by six soloists of

outstanding quality. Every last Sunday of the month we perform

one of the Bach cantatas during the service in the Kloosterkerk.

We encourage you to join these very impressive events. Entry is

free, but after the service you are welcome to make a voluntary

contribution if you so desire. Check the website www.

kloosterkerk.nl for details.

Modern compositions

Although Bach plays a leading role in our season, both choirs do

other repertoire as well. The Residentie Kamerkoor has a reputa-

tion of giving concerts with modern compositions. You are wel-

come to our concert with American 20th-century choir music on

Friday November 5 in the Paleiskerk in the Paleisstraat, The Hague.

The Residentie Bachkoor tends to do the more oratorio-like com-

positions. Last season we did Britten’s War Requiem in a tribute to

the end of World War II in the Netherlands, 65 years ago.

In October, our season’s opening night is offered with the

Requiem by Duruflé, preceded by works from Bruckner, Brahms

and Cornelius, on Friday October 8 in the Lutherse Kerk, Lutherse

Burgwal, Den Haag. As you can see, the Residentie Bach

Ensembles are prominently present in The Hague’s musical scene.

We strongly support our city as the International City for Peace

andJustice,byregularlyorganisingconcertswithapeaceand/or

justice character, and welcome foreign guests! For more informa-

tion or to order tickets visit our website www.bachensembles.nl. «

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Arts & Entertainment

Theatre has something magical, from the moment you take your seat to the

curtain rising, there is a sense of anticipation….the mood is set, glowing

stage lights, scenic back drops, the actors, costumes, props, and dialogue, all

combine for an experience that just can’t compare to film. So fancy a night at

the theatre, then check out these thespian offerings!

Founded in 1950, In Players International Drama Group

Amsterdam are Amsterdam’s oldest English language theatre

company. The group’s distinguishing feature is its innovative

approach to a broad repertoire, ranging from modern classics,

musicals and Christmas pantomimes and including original plays

written by members of the company. The annual subsidy they

receive from the Amsterdam city council reflects their unique sta-

tus in the Dutch theatre world: www.inplayers.org

Every night of the week, Boom Chicago presents an English-

language comedy show which is invariably hilarious. The actors

are professional comedians, recruited from the United States and

brought out to Amsterdam for a season. The material is mostly

topical and somewhat controversial but also includes an amusing

look at the Amsterdam experience from a foreigner’s perspective.

www.boomchicago.nl Easy Laughs performs most Friday nights at

the Crea Theater on the campus of the University of Amsterdam;

There are two shows each week starting at 8:30pm and 10:30pm.

No two shows are the same, but always funny: www.easylaughs.nl

The AATG, English language theatre in The Hague, have been put-

ting on plays since 1951. For the past few years they have staged

three major theatrical events every year - usually an evening of one-

act plays in the spring, a major production in the autumn and a

pantomime just after Christmas. Interspersed with these are

smaller productions and experimental theatre. In all, we’ve run

the gamut from Will Shakespeare to Willy Russell, and some

works penned by members of the group. www.atag.nl

The English Theatre STET promotes and produces professional

English language theatre in The Hague and beyond. Christmas

can hardly start without the famous performance of Ashley

Ramsden’s Christmas Carol, whilst also new and exciting work as

well as comedy is an integral part of the year long program offered

by STET. STET works closely together with Hague based interna-

tional theatre companies TUSK, Operadans and comedy troupe

The Cyclepaths. Performances take place in regular theatres and at

unusual but fascinating locations, www.theenglishtheatre.nl

TUSK international theatre company provides English language

theatre by internationally trained performers and artists, in coop-

eration with STET. Different backgrounds and training methods

deliver a wide and open-minded approach to our community and

culture. TUSK’s team of actors, directors and artists provides our

audiences with both modern and classic plays.TUSK also stages

translated work of Dutch playwrights. http://tusktheatre.net «

Life’s a dramatic comedy

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THE HOLLAND HANDBOOK® 2010–2011The Indispensable Guide for Expatriates in the Netherlands

NEW EDITION

Where you can study in a fl exible way that fi ts around you, using a combination of innovative materials that really bringlearning to life. We have over 210,000 students and 570 courses, all taught in English.

Add something to your world

www.open.ac.uk/[email protected] 070 360 7443

A worldapart from

any other wayof learning


Education

By NIkkI yOuNg

It’s all talk

Dating back to the biblical account of the

confusion of languages mentioned in

Genesis during the construction of the

Tower of Babel, humans have had multiple

linguistic challenges in communicating

effectively. With diverse languages all over

the earth, people were limited in their abil-

ity to be understood. A related word in

Hebrew, “balal” means “confusion.”

However, since that scattering of peoples

who did not understand one another’s

speech, language learning continues to

bring the world’s people closer together.

Speaking of …

One out of every five people on earth can

speak English to some level of compe-

tence. English is the first language of about

380 million people and the second lan-

guage to between 150 million to 1 billion

people, ranking number two. Around 30

percent of the British population speaks a

language other than English, though 50%

with another language as a mother tongue.

In the United States, 22 percent of the pop-

ulation speaks a language other than

English, mainly Spanish; which many of

these people have as their first language.

Chinese on the other hand ranks number

one with more than 1.3 billion speakers, if

considered as a single language.

Mandarin, (800 million) Wu (90 million)

and Cantonese (80 million) are the most

common sub-types, and then of course

there are numerous dialects. Hindustani or

Hindi-Urdu counts 541 million native

speakers in India and Pakistan, and 904

million worldwide. With increased busi-

ness investment in the Asian Pacific Rim,

many more people choose to do language

studies in Chinese and Hindustani. The

University of Leiden is the only school in

Holland where a degree programme is

possible in sinology (Chinese studies).

What’s in a word?

that depends on

which language you’re

speaking. With some

6,912 known living

languages worldwide,

there’s plenty to talk

about! And written

language only started

to be used some

5,500 years ago.

Resources

www.berlitz.comwww.lingurama.nlwww.lexicon.nlwww.alliance-francaise.nlwww.babel.nlwww.language-unites.orgwww.bltc.nlwww.icb-leiden.nl/en/opmaat.htmwww.iberlingua.nlwww.directdutch.comwww.britishschool.nlwww.reginacoeli.nl www.vtn-online.nl www.taalthuis.com www.britishschool.nl/languagecentrewww.bltc.nlwww.dutchforexpats.nlwww.stiftungsprachkurse.nlwww.polytaal.nl

India and China, over 500 million, now

exceeds the total number of mother-

tongue English speakers elsewhere in the

world.

In the Netherlands, children in primary

school also begin learning English at an

early age, and in high school (middelbare)

often study four languages, Dutch,

German, French and English.

European cultures

As for French, 180 million people speak it,

and it is the official language of 29 coun-

tries. About 10% of the world’s franco-

phone’s are Canadian. French is one of

Canada’s two official languages. It is also

the language of diplomatic life and inter-

national tribunes as well as the EU patent

office. It is the 2nd EU language after

English. You can learn French almost any-

where in the world, which is convenient if

you are transferred a lot. Alliance Française

has 1,130 institutes in 138 countries. They

are all non-profit local associations, with

native French speaking teachers. They

combine French culture with language

learning and organise special activities for

students.

Spanish is spoken by more than 400 mil-

lion people worldwide. The entire conti-

nent of South America speaks primarily

Spanish, as does just about all of Central

America, Mexico and Latin America, over

15 countries in total, (aside from Brazil,

which speaks Portuguese). By learning

Spanish fluently you can often understand

enough Italian and French to get by in

communicating with people who speak

those romantic languages. Spanish is the

fourth most commonly spoken language

in the world. Italian speakers, some 80

million, are located primarily in Italy, of

course! German counts 110 million native

Polyglots

Monolingual English graduates “face a

bleak economic future” as multilingual

competitors flood into the workforce from

all corners of the globe. According to a

report commissioned by the British

Council, “The competitive advantage of

speaking English is ebbing away,” com-

mented linguistic consultant David

Graddol, the author of the report. “Once

everyone speaks English, advantage can

only be maintained by having something

else, other skills, such as speaking several

languages.” More than half of all primary

school children in China now learn English

and the number of English speakers in

speakers, with 128 million using it as a sec-

ond language. Dutch has some 22 million

speakers worldwide, ranking it about 40th.

So learning ‘Nederlands’ doesn’t put you

in a large group of speakers.

Multiple language skills are essential in

today’s global village for doing business

and for understanding other cultures.

These new polyglots, and the companies

that employ them, have significant com-

petitive advantages over their single lan-

guage rivals, including a vital understand-

ing of different cultures, in a world faced

with rapid globalisation.

Have a look at www.ethnologue.com and their

catalogue of an estimated 8,000 languages,

living and dead, in the Lingual Links

library. «


My Pug and I

Lifestyle

The people of the Netherlands love their dogs, all

1.8 million! Soon after moving here we wel-

comed Pepper, a Mopshond (Chinese Pug)

into our home and we cannot imagine life

without her. Four years later Pepper has

grown into a member of our family who

requires effort and time, but who gives

back greater rewards!

Pepper’s favourite time of the day (aside

from eating and sleeping) is going out on

her daily walks. Discovering the many dog

parks near my home was a pleasant sur-

prise for Pepper and me. The “geen

aanlijnplicht”(no leash required) sign per-

mits me to take Pepper off her leash to visit

and play with other dogs, while it gives me

a chance to chat with other dog owners,

and to practice my Dutch! Of course there

are options for dog parents who do not

have time to take their dogs out for daily

walks. There are many hondenuitlaatservice

(dog-walking services) available.

Not everyone is a dog lover

Pepper respects her neighbours and is

careful around children. She stays away

from children’s playgrounds and private

property. If there is a sign that says “ver-

boden voor honden” (dogs forbidden) or “geen

hondenuitlaaten,” she steers clear. Being a

responsible pet owner, we never leave

home without a pooper-scooper and bags!

The Netherlands is “opruimverplicht” (clean-

ing up after your dog is required) and there

are fines in place for those who do not do

so, plus we do not want to litter the streets.

A dog’s education

Pepper did not become the dog she is today

alone. She attends school, where we have

both learned a lot. When we first registered

for Puppy Class, I did not speak a word of

Dutch. Luckily for me, my Dutch husband

stood patiently on the sidelines and inter-

preted for me, and our instructors were

both patient and supportive with Pepper

and me. This was what kept me going

when otherwise I would have dropped out

of the class. The fact that Pepper is loveable

also helped. Over time I learned Dutch and

was able to follow the class on my own. I

am proud to say that Pepper is the only

bilingual dog in her class – fluent in Dutch

and English!

Even Pepper has to pay taxes

Although a permit for dogs is not required

in the Netherlands, a Hondenbelasting (dog

tax) is charged annually and is calculated

on the number of dogs in each household.

Dogs must also be registered with the

Gemeentelijke Belastingdienst (Municipal Tax

Department).

Pepper also has her very own

EU-dierenpaspoort (European Union Pet

Passport) that she must use when travel-

ling outside of the Netherlands. The pass-

port includes vaccination information, her

microchip number, my name and address,

and a description of her, including her

breed, sex, age, and colour. All that is

missing is her picture!

Going on separate vacations

When we go on vacation to the US, Pepper

stays at a hondenpension (kennel). The first

time we left her was difficult, even though

we knew she would be safe since our veteri-

narian recommended the kennel, and a

friend had also left her dog there. It helped

that the kennel emailed pictures of her to

us while we were away. Several times a day,

she was able to play with other dogs and

we knew how much she liked that. I now

feel secure leaving her, though I will always

miss her when we are apart!

“Hi, I am Pepper’s owner…”

Dog owners can attest to the fact that own-

ers lose their identity and simply come to

be recognised by their dog. But I do not

mind this, and am slowly getting to know

the first names of other dog owners in my

neighbourhood. This is important to do.

Several months ago my husband and I

spotted a lost dog that was not wearing a

collar. We did not want to call the dierenasiel

or dierenopvangcentrum (pound) immediately

so we looked for the owners ourselves. We

went to the main street to see if anyone was

looking for this adorable long-haired

Chihuahua, but to no avail. Hours later as

my husband and I stood in front of our

house with the lost dog, two girls ran up to

us and claimed their dog. My husband told

them, “Put a collar and name tag on him!”

We cringe at the thought of our beloved

Pepper ever being lost. But in case she ever

does get out, I think that most people in

our neighbourhood know her. Maybe it is

because we routinely go on walks or per-

haps the fact that she has a very distinct

high-pitched bark, whatever the reason,

our neighbours seem to know that I am the

American lady with Pepper, de mopshond –

and I wouldn’t have it any other way! «

Hondenbelasting

(dog tax) is charged

annually and is

calculated on the

number of dogs in

each household.

DO’s and DON’Ts with dogs in Holland

• Poop! Anyone walking a dog must be carrying a suitable item with which to “scoop the poop”, failure to clean up after your pet will result in a fine. Use a paper bag, a plastic bag or a special ‘poop scoop’ available at pet shops, vets and municipal offices.

• Beach party - Dogs are allowed on beaches except during the summer months, although some beaches will allow animals on leads in the early morning or late evening. All mess should be cleared up, and the owner is responsible for the dog’s behaviour while it is on the beach. There are signs indicating whether it should be on a lead or not.

• Help! Dieren Ambulance is a nationwide animal ambulance service with regional centers in Rotterdam and The Hague. Call to report injured or lost animals. Dieren Ambulance nation-wide telephone: 0900 0245.

By OLIVIA VAN DEN BrOEk-NErI

ACCESS VOLuNtEEr


should embrace the person and give at

least three kisses. So? Just after I had

arrived in the Netherlands I asked a Dutch

Master Nurse if we could greet in Brazilian

way. We did, and then he told me: “This is

not decent.” Shock! Of course, the situa-

tion finishes in a very embarrassed way.

After that, I understand that just shaking

hands is good enough here. A question:

“Why can’t we mix the greetings being

warm and respectful at the same time?”

Just on time

Ah! That was a difficult one. You know,

usually, we are not very punctual in Brazil,

especially if it is a social event. If you want

to socialise, you may count on small or big

delays from families and friends. So on a

Saturday evening I had a family dinner at a

Unusual and curious situations – it is what

you probably have to face when you left

behind your country, and live in a com-

pletely different land. Don’t forget that you

keep carrying the background and the cul-

ture of your previous home. Perhaps if you

find yourself in a similar situation, you may

identify with some of the stories in this

article. In my case, I left Brazil in the end of

the summer 2005 and I have found my new

home in the Netherlands. During this

period, I have to face a behaviour shock,

and sometimes it is funny, but not always.

One good example is the Brazilian greet-

ings: you are supposed to always be very

warm and say a lot of small phrases: “Take

care… – See you soon – Greetings for the

family – And after all this small talk, you

By VALérIA rAMOS

ACCESS VOLuNtEEr

Lifestyle

restaurant by the beach in The Hague and I

was only 10 minutes late. So a family mem-

ber started to shout at me and speak badly

about me, like I had committed a crime.

Shock! I was really concerned! Anyway, I

have learned my lesson: from that

moment, I always try my very best to be

precisely punctual. A question: “Why can’t

we not be punctual, but simultaneously, to

tolerate possible small delays?”

Where does your word count?

A remarkable behaviour shock is how your

word counts differently in these two coun-

tries. Here in Holland if a person says

something, you know that person will do

asshe/hesaid(orpromised).Forexample,

here, sometimes I have an appointment

three or four months ahead and it is no

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Culture shock:

Brazil vs HollandHave you just arrived in the Netherlands? Are you an expat here

for many years? So, you may get in touch with different cultures,

behaviours and habits. this article describes a shock between the

tropical and European culture in daily life. Hopefully you will

identify and enjoy these peculiar situations.


problem. Even if I do not speak or meet the

personinthemeantime,Iknowhe/shewill

be there, at the right date and right time

(punctually, of course). So you can easily

trust people. Even more: you can plan your

life smoothly. In Brazil, it is different. The

relations are more informal… This seems

to allow you to not keep your word.

It is quite common to say something and

afterwards forget about it… For example,

I remember a friend who always forgets to

confirm our meetings and sometimes she

didn’t even come on the right time, date

and place. Perhaps you had counted on

that appointment and it was just waste of

time and energy.

Suggestion to think about: We can defi-

nitely learn something about doing busi-

ness in different cultures!

Direct or indirect

Brazilians and the Dutch have different

way of relating with each other. It is well-

known, that Dutch people are very direct

and to the point in both social and profes-

sional live. You always start the conversa-

tion with the most important idea.

Brazilians do not behave like this, they are

always beating around the bush, talk

around and around, just in the end they say

what the relevant issue is.

I would add that the Dutch like to ask a lot

of questions. The other day I met an

American-Dutch friend at Kralingse Plas,

Rotterdam. After the lunch and some

drinks, we had a walk in the park: it was

one question after the other, non-stop!

In Brazil it is not elegant to do so and it is

not discreet. So just another behaviour

shock! To reflect: Perhaps, the ideal way it

is to be more directly to the point, but with

fewer questions.

Friendly or efficiently?

Even the character of these two cultures are

completely different. Brazilians are always

very warm and behave in a very friendly

way. People are always smiling and try to

understand you and help you…a very help-

ful person. This is one of the strongest

characteristics of this tropical people.

Once when I arrived here five years ago, I

went to buy fruit at the vegetable store and

I said, smiling: “Hello, Good morning!”

They young guy answer back very dryly:

“So what?”

The North European has the tendency to be

less warm and smile very much. On the

other hand, they are efficient, very effi-

cient. And this includes the Dutch as well.

They are not so friendly, but you can count

on it that they are very efficient in most cases.

Question: “Is it possible to be friendly and

efficient simultaneously?”

Services and attention

I must comment on just one more example

of the Dutch way of life. At the sport’s club,

there is just one person who takes care of

everything: the new clients, selling the

drinks, cleaning the place and do not for-

get:she/heisalsoagyminstructorand

helps people. To summarise, the profes-

sional here is multitasking. But, of course,

you may often hear: “One minute please,

I am busy now.”

In Brazil, the “normal rule” is one person,

one task. Following the example of the

sport’s club, the Brazilian gym instructor is

exclusivly for taking care of the clients of

the fitness facility. So actually, in that

“ Brazilians and the Dutch have different ways of relating with each other.”

Dutch Carnaval

Every Spring, Dutch Carnival is cele-brated on the Saturday thru Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. (seven weeks before Easter). The main Carnival provinces are Limburg and (south) Brabant, near the Belgian bor-der, with Maastricht usually regarded as top Carnival town.

Fetivities include a parade, elaborate costumes, a fake prince plus cortège (“Council of 11”), the boerenbruiloft (farmer’s wedding) and the haring hap-pen (eating herring) on Ash Wednesday. Marching bands (‘Zaate Hermeniekes’ or ‘Drunken Marching Bands’) tradi-tionally perform on the streets.Though less numerous, Carnival towns in the north are no less enthusiastic and their numbers seem to grow each year.

Lifestyle

tropical country, the clients

are the king; you can count

on much more attention

and service.

The unexpected culture

The list of shock behaviour can go on and

on. Probably you’ve picked up the idea in

your daily life: different countries, different

behaviours! I do not believe that one place

is better than another, or superior, or more

positive. The important thing is to under-

stand that you may have different back-

grounds, you may be born and raised in

another way; so, of course, you may face a

culture shock sometimes. Why not? But try

to be tolerant with your new country, your

new home. It is what enriches your life!

So just go out and try to get in touch with

the unexpected… Welcome to Holland! «

Brazil vs Holland

Figures Brazilian women , some of the world’s most beautiful, are proud of their round derrières.Dutch women,are some of the world’s tallest, and pride themselves on having a flat bottom.

Dress Brazilians dress with a flair and judge others on their appearance. Casual dress is more formal than in other countries, so dress well.The Dutch tend to be very casual, and in the north, many dark colours are worn. While following the fashion trends, they tend to under-dressing.

Time-wise In Brazil arrive at least 30 minutes late if the invitation is for dinner. Arrive up to an hour late for a party or large gathering.In Holland, always be promptly on time or five minutes early.


There’s something about stews that bring to mind the warmth of hearth

and home, perhaps an idealised vision of our mother’s table and the hearty

smells that linger in our sensory memory. Draadjesvlees is possibly the

most famous Dutch stew – its very name indicating that the meat has been

cooked for so long that it falls apart (‘draadjesvlees’ means ‘thready

meat’). Don’t be put off by the lengthy cooking time either. This dish

requires minimum preparation and the pot does all the work for you.

Appeltaart

Preparation:

In a small bowl, steep the raisins in the

brandy for at least an hour (or put on high

in the microwave for 2 minutes and allow

to cool). Preheat the oven to 175 degrees

Celsius.

Whisk the eggs, adding

most of it to the flour in a

large mixing bowl (keep a

tbsp of the egg behind to

brush the pie with later).

Add the cubed butter, 175 g

brown sugar, salt and lemon

zest. Knead dough using a

stand mixer with a dough attach-

ment (or by hand) until the dough

comes together into a ball.

Set aside for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel and core the apples, cut

them into bite-sized pieces and mix with

the sultanas, lemon juice, the remaining

brown sugar and spices. Sprinkle the corn-

starch over the apples and mix well.

Grease a large spring-form pie dish and

use3/4ofthedoughtocoverthebottom

If you haven’t already noticed,

almost every café in Holland has a

version of apple pie (appeltaart)

on its menu. Perhaps the ultimate

Dutch comfort food, it’s used

both to celebrate and soothe.

and sides of the

dish. The easiest

way to do this is to

wet your hands

and shape it by

hand, pressing the

dough into the pie

dish into a uniform

thickness.

Add the apple mixture to the pie dish and

press filling down firmly. Use the rest of

the dough to make the lattice topping.

Make longish sausage shapes by rolling

the dough between your palms (you’ll need

about 5 strips). Arrange 3 strips one way

and 2 the other way, pressing softly to fix it

to the sides, and then fold the dough back

in towards the pie. It should not be hang-

ing over the pie dish, otherwise it will stick.

But don’t worry about being too neat, the

pie will rise and hide a multitude of sins.

Brush the pastry with the egg wash and

place in the oven to bake for approximately

one hour. Allow the pie to cool in the tin

and then carefully turn out. Serve with

whipped cream, or vanilla or cinnamon ice

cream. Serves about 12 slices. «

Karin Engelbrecht is the

Guide to Dutch Food on About.com. For American mea-surements, Dutch food trends,

cookbook and restaurant reviews and more recipes, visit http://

dutchfood.about.com

Preparation:

Pat the meat dry with clean kitchen paper

and cut into medium chunks. Heat the but-

ter in a large pot (preferably a cast iron

Once the stew comes to a boil, reduce the

temperature to low, cover the pot with a lid

and allow to simmer for at least 3 to 4

hours. Check every so often and add more

water if required.

The dish is ready when the meat starts to

disintegrate into threads and the liquid has

reduced down to a thick gravy. Remove bay

leaves, cinnamon stick, and whatever

cloves and juniper berries you can find.

Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes, red

cabbage and apples or poached pears and

apple sauce. Serves 4.

one) and brown the meat. Season with salt

and pepper. Add the chopped onions and

cook gently until soft and translucent.

Pour the stock into the pot. Now add the

spices and vinegar and bring to a boil.

Dutch comfort food classics

DraadjesvleesIngredients:

1 kg stewing beef •

50 g butter •

Salt & Pepper•

3 large onions, finely chopped

•

750mlbeef/chickenstock•

1 cinnamon stick•

1 tsp juniper berries•

3 bay leaves•

4 cloves•

2 tbsp vinegar•

Ingredients:

300 g raisins•

2 tbsp brandy (or cognac)•

2 eggs•

500 g self-raising flour •

300 g cubed (ice cold) butter •

175 g brown sugar •

A pinch of salt•

Zestof1/2lemon•

1.85 kg tart apples, such as •

Goudreinet

Juiceof1/2lemon•

75 g brown sugar •

2 tsp ground cinnamon•

1 tsp ‘speculaaskruiden’ spices•

1 tbsp corn starch (maizena)•

[email protected]

A Whole WorldIn One School

Ages 3-18

windmillthe

preschool

Session times to suit your child’s needsall day - 09:00 to 14:45

or mornings - 09:00 to 12:00or afternoons - 12:15 to 14:45

or a mixture

a solid foundation for your child’s education

✆ 070 3272088

www.thewindmill.nl

The Windmill uses a structured curriculum to promote child development

in accordance with the UK Department of Education Foundation Stage

for international children aged 2 to 5 years old

also on Friday’s

for children aged 0 to 4 yearsaccompanied by a parent / guardian

the windmill toddlers

Do advertise in the ACCESS magazine!Contact our sales department 070 - 346 25 25 or email [email protected] magazine is published quarterly and distrubuted free of charge in the international community. reach 1000’s of expat and international readers! www.access-nl.org

I N S T I T U T E

12 week beginners, intermediate, advanced, NT2 level II

2 week intensive beginners and intermediate courses

Private and in-company courses

www.directdutch.com

Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië 2752593 BS Den HaagTel: 070 3654677

est. 1985

Clinic for Preventive & Curative DentistryTandartspraktijk Kaushik

Castricumplein 1,2547 HZ Den HaagTel: 070-3251241

Aesthetic treatment, Prosthetics, endodontic therapy, periodontal therapy, implants, crown & bridge work etc.

• Services to patients both in the Dutch and the English language• Charges as per the rates fixed by the Dutch government (COTG)• Consultation by prior appointment

Business Hours: Monday–Thursday: 0830-1630 hrs; Friday: 0830-1230 hrs

CafeMomfer De Mol

Cosy Dutch bar/bistro in the oldest street of The HagueWide range of wines and beers,

good food and great value for money!

See you tomorrow!Café Momfer de Mol

Oude Molstraat 19, 2513 BA Den Haag070-4278733

Website under Construction: www.cafemomfer.nl

From ACCESS

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9th Edition - Written by expats for expatsFrom bookshops, VVV's, Amazon.com ordirect from [email protected]

�27.50 www.heresholland.com

Simply the best all-in-one guide to travel and life

in Holland.

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Valkenboskade 91 2563 GR Den Haag - NLpos t@thomasconsu l tancy.n l

T +31 (0 )70 – 338 8338F +31 (0 )70 – 891 0712www. thomasconsu l tancy.n l

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F A M I L YL AW

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All levelsPrivate tuition,

groups,in-company training

German & Dutchcourses

All teachers arenative speakers

Language Courses German School The Hague(Statenkwartier)

www.stiftungsprachkurse.nlemail:[email protected]

van Bleiswijkstraat 125, 2582 LB Den Haag, Tel.070-354 94 54

S

S

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Deutsche SchuleDen Haag

Visser ‘tHooft Lyceum SWLocatie, Vijfmeilaan 1372324VV Leiden

A church family where people can be realwith a passion for God and others

For more information, [email protected] www.ichurchleiden.nl

International Church Leiden

Sundays 11amincluding activities for kids

Life Groups and other activitiesduring the week.

marek maakt grafische ontwerpen

Brouwersgracht 11, 2512 EP Den Haagwww.marekmaakt.nl


ACCESS courses - AmsterdamACCESS courses - Amsterdam

Date / Time Title Details Location Cost Contact

Childbirth and Baby CoursesTuesdays from 19.00-21.00, sessions run regularly every two months

Childbirth Preparation Course

Very popular six-session course, presented by a Dutch-English speaking, qualified midwife, aimed at expectant mothers in their last few months of pregnancy.

British School of Amsterdam, Anthonie v. Dijckstraat 1, Amsterdam

€ 195 5 ses-sions1 post-natal

Truus Gale, midwifeE: [email protected]

Available on request Childbirth Preparation – Individual sessions

Individual sessions cover your particular inter-ests and worries. Preparation for delivery, breathing and massage/relaxation exercises for the different stages of labour and tips on how the expectant mother can best be supported by her partner during labour; pain relief, including epidurals and attitudes towards pain, post-par-tum period; plus lots of additional information which covers your personal needs.

At attendees place, if required

€ 1352.5 hour session

Truus Gale, MidwifeE: [email protected] course information, please phone 020 470 0321

Breastfeeding Course

Course designed for first-time mums. This workshop offers you the opportunity to explore breast-feeding in more detail. The workshop is fun and interactive. It incorporates a mixture of discussions, information sharing and practical skills.

Amsterdam € 15 person€ 25 couple

Myrte van Lonkhuijsen020 470 0321 E: [email protected]

Orientation for NewcomersAvailable on request ACCESSing

AmsterdamAre you new to Amsterdam and looking for practical information and advice? Here at ACCESS we always aim to look into the needs of the community we are serving.Come to our workshop for: practical advice, insider knowledge, fill in gaps in your knowl-edge of how things work, broaden your under-standing of the Dutch way of living and also meet people in a similar situation

ACCESS Amsterdam Office, Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam

€ 30 E: [email protected]

Available on request Buying a House and Mortgages in the Netherlands

Buying a house in a foreign country can be very scary - especially when you don’t understand the language or how it works. This workshop outlines the following 3 main topics: searching for the right house, the mortgage and negotiat-ing & settlement.


€ 40 Tania Hudig, freelance consultant E: [email protected]

Personal development and Job Seeking workshopsStarting in September - check www.access-nl.org for updates

Dutch Language Training for Beginners

Very small groups (3/5) guaranteed with per-sonal focus on your progress! Learn and prac-tice your Dutch in daily situations and feel more comfortable in the Netherlands! After complet-ing this course you will have improved your communication in Dutch.


€ 2259 ses-sions of 1.5 hours

Caroline van den Bogaard, professional intercultural coach and language trainerE: [email protected]


Starting in September - check www.access-nl.org for updates

Intermediate Dutch Conversation

Very small groups (3/5) guaranteed with per-sonal focus on your progress ! For those who have received previous Dutch training and would like to become more confident and profi-cient in speaking the language. We will be read-ing articles and discuss current events and practice Dutch conversation skills. The classes will be entirely in Dutch.


€ 2259 ses-sions of 1.5 hours

Caroline van den Bogaard, professional intercultural coach and language trainerE: [email protected]

Starting in September - check www.access-nl.org for updates

Dutch@work Course - “Nederlands als werktaal”

Kleine group gegarandeerd (3/5). Training voor gevorderden, die zich goed willen voorbereiden op de Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt. Leer jezelf presenteren in het Nederlands.


€ 1804 ses-sions of 2 hours

Caroline van den Bogaard, professional intercultural coach and language trainerContact: [email protected]

Personal consultation on request

Personal and Career Coaching

Through coaching you will get insight in the impact of intercultural differences on various areas of your life such as your career and your well-being. You will explore and reflect on per-sonal and cultural values, examine your goals, directions and priorities and make the best choices for yourself.


€ 751 hour session

Caroline van den Bogaard, professional intercultural coach and language trainerContact: [email protected]

Check www.johndesilvaphotography.com for updates and prices

Camera Basics and Photographic Principles

This workshop is targeted at beginning and intermediate photography enthusiasts con-ducted by professional photographer John De Silva. This is a 2 1/2 hour workshop followed by a 90 minute field trip to Vondelpark / centrum, putting into practice what was learned.

Amsterdam see website

John De Silva, professional photographerE: [email protected]

Look at www.access-nl.org for updateswww.anneswines.com

Wine Course This 12-session series have been designed to provide information and knowledge while hav-ing fun tasting wines and meeting new people.

Amsterdam see website

Anne de BérardE: [email protected]

Caring for yourselfLook at www.presentmind.nl/en/ for updates

Mindfulness training

Mindfulness is an effective way to deal with everyday issues such as stress, anxiety, fatigue. It helps increase concentration and focus, and enhances both energy levels and quality of sleep. The positive effects of mindfulness are supported by academic studies worldwide.Join the 8 week workshop based on Kabat-Zinn programme, run by qualified trainer.

Amsterdam, Prinsengracht

€ 550includes workbook and CD’s

Lot HeijkeE: [email protected]

Look at www.access-nl.org for updates

Sivananda Hatha yoga - Yoga for all

“Yoga is a life of self-discipline. Yoga balances, harmonises, purifies and strengthens the body, mind and soul. It shows the way to perfect health, perfect mind control and perfect peace with one’s own self, the world, nature and God.” - Swami Vishnu-Devananda. Each lesson includes breathing exercises, sun salutations, classical yoga postures and a long final relax-ation. Open for all levels.

Amsterdam € 704 ses-sions€ 1006 ses-sions

Burcin Ozyurek, yoga instructor E: [email protected]

PLEASE rEgIStEr FOr COurSES ON-LINE At WWW.ACCESS-NL.Org, Or tELEPHONE ACCESS AMStErDAM, 020 - 423 32 17

Living and working with more cultures beside your own and feeling good about it, is a personal development. It is a wonderful experience but sometimes a (cultural) shock.

Zw-art-s Coaching and Counseling has developed a special program for

Personal Cultural IntegrationPersonal Cultural Integration is a practical basedprogram for everybody who deals with more cultures beside their own. The program is tailored for individuals, families, groups and organisations. The program also runs as a workshop.

For more information, call;T. +31 (0)6 50 650 122E. [email protected]

ABF International Sports Club Located in Wassenaar, we offer soccer, baseball and basketball programs to people of all ages and nationalities.

Come on out to the clubhouse and be part of the ABF community!

www.ABFSport.nl

+31 (0)71-516.8000

Webster University Leiden offers you the chance to earn both an American and a Dutch accredited

Bachelors in either Psychology or Sociology. One study, two degrees.

Dutch, American and truly international - with this program in Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences

students from the Netherlands and other EU countries receive an education that is absolutely unique.

Contact Webster University today for more information and call +31 (0)71-516 8000 or look

at www.webster.nl.

Dual Degree in Psychology and

Sociology

psuch-acces 190x 1351.indd 2 08-07-2010 11:58:19

Clinic for Preventive & Curative DentistryTandartspraktijk Kaushik

Castricumplein 1,2547 HZ Den HaagTel: 070-3251241

Aesthetic treatment, Prosthetics, endodontic therapy, periodontal therapy, implants, crown & bridge work etc.

• Services to patients both in the Dutch and the English language• Charges as per the rates fixed by the Dutch government (COTG)• Consultation by prior appointment

Business Hours: Monday–Thursday: 0830-1630 hrs; Friday: 0830-1230 hrs

CafeMomfer De Mol

Cosy Dutch bar/bistro in the oldest street of The HagueWide range of wines and beers,

good food and great value for money!

See you tomorrow!Café Momfer de Mol

Oude Molstraat 19, 2513 BA Den Haag070-4278733

Website under Construction: www.cafemomfer.nl


ACCESS courses - the HagueACCESS courses - the Hague


Childbirth and Baby Courses30 September 10:00 -11.30 25 November19:30 – 21.00

Breastfeeding Course

Qualified lactation consultant offering one 2-hour information session on breastfeeding for pregnant women.

Nootdorp € 30 Sharron van der Linden-Woodley061 972 4750, E: [email protected]

22 September – 27 October (Dec due dates)3 November – 8 December (Jan/Feb due dates)18:45 - 21:00, 6 evenings

Childbirth Preparation Course

Six 2-hour sessions preparing for childbirth in the Netherlands, led by our very experi-enced trainers.

Bronovo Hospital € 180 Lee Tolman and Nester Moyo061 972 4750, E: [email protected]

14 September – 9 November30 November – 25 January 8 Tuesday evenings 18:15 – 19:30

Prenatal Yoga Complete preparation for labour through breathing and relaxation techniques, yoga postures.

Bronovo Hospital € 135 Joke van Roosendaal-Kuijper070 326 2638, E: [email protected]

8 Tuesday evenings20:45 – 22:00Register anytime six weeks after birth

Postnatal Yoga Relaxation techniques, muscles strengthening of pelvic floor, pelvis, stomach through Pilates method, energy building through Hatha Yoga.

Bronovo Hospital € 80 Joke van Roosendaal-Kuijper070 326 2638, E: [email protected]

Friday mornings Postnatal Yoga Getting your waist back, regaining strength for abdomen and pelvic floor muscles, back care and relax and recharge for new mums.

Den Haag € 75 for six 1-hour sessions

Wendy Koopman061 972 4750, E: [email protected]

On demand Prenatal Exercise Course led by qualified physiotherapist for women in their 3rd trimester who want to get fit in preparation for the birth of their baby.

Oegstgeest € 120 for 2 sessions

Vera Atlas061 972 4750, E: [email protected]

Orientation for NewcomersDates in September, October and Novembersee website for details09:15 – 12:15

“At Home Abroad” - Dutch for Starters - Language Course

Dutch for Starters is an intensive language course for people who want to make a running start with learning Dutch. Twelve 3-hour ses-sions in four weeks, in groups of four to six people.

A location near Valkenbosplein, The Hague

€ 600 + € 92 for course book & CD-Rom

Henny van Santen065 719 4646, E: [email protected]

Personal Development and Job Seeking in Holland1 June, 21 September, 23 November 09:30-12:30

Job Hunting in the Netherlands

Discover your own way to job seeking success through the course of discussions and feedback with other job seekers. Aimed at individuals wishing to enter the Dutch employment mar-ket; explore your approach, improve your CV and application techniques. Includes a personal follow-up consultation with the trainer.

Women’s Business Initiative, Laan Copes van Cattenburch 86, The Hague

€ 107 Teresa Moynihan062 665 4708 or go to www.access-nl.orgIndividual coaching sessions also available on demand

21 September, 8 October, 12 November9:30 – 12:30

Understanding Yourself: Using Your Values as a Personal Compass

This 3-hour interactive workshop is about clari-fying what is important to you as a person, a professional or a parent. It will help you identify your values, your needs and your limits.

The Hague € 88 Marie Dewulf062 440 1355, E: [email protected]


Wednesdays 8, 15, 23, 29 September6, 13, 20, 27 October3, 10 November19:00 – 22:00

First Aid Diploma Course

Do you know what to do at the scene of an acci-dent, or a sport’s injury or if someone chokes or breaks a leg? What if your child falls or burns himself/herself? How do you bridge the gap till the ambulance arrives? Learn life-saving skills for yourself, your family and all the people around you. (30 hours tuition in 10 sessions inclusive C.P.R. with A.E.D.)

Het Klokhuis, Celebestraat 4, Den Haag

€ 375 all inclusive

Liz Jordan, First Aid and C.P.R./A.E.D. InstructorVital Signs Training – 070 346 9786 / 061 883 5293, E: [email protected]

Saturday 23 October10:00 - 16:00

C.P.R. with Automatic External Defibrillator

Do you know that most cardiac arrests happen unexpectedly at home or at work or during sport? On average, 300 a week in Holland. If you can do Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) and use an A.E.D., you can save a life. The first six minutes are vital. (A.E.D.) (6 hours tuition)

Het Klokhuis, Celebestraat 4, Den Haag

€ 150 all inclusive

Liz Jordan, First Aid and C.P.R./A.E.D. InstructorVital Signs Training – 070 346 9786 / 061 883 5293, E: [email protected]

Culinary & Wine expertiseSeptember thru November dates, six-week course. See website for details 19:00 – 21:00

The Wine Series 6 part workshops on wine tasting

Enjoy the secrets of tasting wines and discover-ing where they come from by using your senses. Learn about food and wine matching, various types of wines, easy to use in your daily life.

The Hague Cost: € 55 to € 70 (tapas included)

Annes Wines. 062 631 7807, E: [email protected]

Orientation for Newcomers29 September6, 13 October3,10,17, 24 November1, 8, 15 December10:30 – 11:45 or 17:30 – 18:45

Have a better Sleep for a better Day!

Learn how to improve your sleep, how to relax, how to fall asleep or fall back to sleep, how to reduce your insomnia by protecting yourself from stress, using relaxation and techniques of Sophrology.

Women’s Business Initiative, Laan Copes van Cattenburch 86, Den Haag

€ 180 for 10 sessions

Mireille Barreau, Sophrologist063 003 0888, E: [email protected]

Parent Education Seminars27 September 19:30 - 22:00

Communicating for Compliance & Co-operation

How to Talk: Why nagging, threatening, and lecturing probably aren’t getting you very far with your kids. Learn the kinds of instructions, explanations, and consequences that work best.

van Hogenhoucklaan 89, Den Haag

€35 Katherine Fortier (Child Psychologist) andSoul Robertson, 064 185 7773, www.passionateparenting.nl

4 October 19:30 – 22:00

Strategies for Gifted Children

How to identify a gifted child? How should we stimulate them? How do we get the teachers and schools involved? What about social skills? How could this “gift” affect the family? An enriched yet balanced life can be achieved


€35 Renata Hamsikova (Gifted Children Coach) andSoul Robertson, 064 185 7773, www.passionateparenting.nl,

15 November19:30 – 22:00

Marshmallows & Delayed Gratification

Self-discipline is an excellent predictor of a child’s success. Since it takes years of practice to develop patience & perseverance, the sooner parents teach children to avoid immediate grat-ification the better. Change your child’s life.


€35 Katherine Fortier (Child Psychologist) andSoul Robertson 064 185 7773, www.passionateparenting.nl

PLEASE rEgIStEr FOr COurSES ON-LINE At WWW.ACCESS-NL.Org, Or tELEPHONE ACCESS tHE HAguE, 070 - 346 25 25

ACCESS SponsorsThank you for your continued and generous support

Platinum Gold Silver Bronze

ABN-AMRO Bank

American School of The Hague

Adams Multilingual Recruitment Agency

American Book Center Amsterdam

Gemeente Amsterdam

The British School of Amsterdam

International School of Amsterdam

The Xpat Journal and Xpat Media

Gemeente Den Haag

The British School in The Netherlands

Octagon Professionals

Deborah and EricBrulo-Nisenfeld

Kamer van KoophandelHaaglanden

Your organisation’s name here?

Supporting ACCESS means helping over 20,000 people in the expat and international community each year.

Renthouse International

ACCESS Sponsors & DonorsThank you for your support and contributions

SponsorsFinancieel Voorlichtingsbureau de Boer B.V. Guardian Wealth Management Music All In - Noordwijk BV Papa Bears Print Shop The British School in The NetherlandsThe Hague Online

Donors4MoreHarmonyABC BeerVan KleefABN AMROAkribeiaAngelcorner JophiëlAnne’s WinesBetjeman & BartonBibouBozenaBrasserij BabbilageThe British School in The Netherlands Language Centre Carlton AmbassadorCheesecake CompanyChesters KitchenCityJetRotterdam The Hague AirportCorpusde Tafel Dame

Direct DutchDutchnews.nlExpatriate Archive CentreFilmhuis Den HaagGemeentemuseum Den HaagHoutkram De, te LeiderdorpJo ParfittKelly’s Expat ShoppingKickstart SchoolKon. SchouwbergLanguage Institute Taal TaalLaura AshleyLekkers Uit HongarijeMeza MediterraneeMichel’s Boulangerie & PatisserieMoynihan HR ConsultingMuseonMy StoreSimons JuweliersSteigenberger Kurhaus HotelThe English Theatre STETThomas GreenTwentyfive DesignVan NieropWFIAWinnubst Parfumerie

For all your legal, publicitary and technical translations

Personal attention and efficient service guaranteed

Please contact us for more information

t: 31 (0)20 64 53 120 e: [email protected] www.polydioma.nl

Doing our bit to help YOU feel part of the International community in the Hague!

Want to know more then go to http://www.britishclubthehague.nl/

‘It’s not what you look at that matters it’s what you see’

Simone Branson

Your Personal Web & Graphic Designer in The Netherlandswww.simonebranson.com

• Graphic Design• Webdesign• Visual Identity• Advertising• Magazines• Card Design

Advertentie90_135_2.indd 1 8/25/10 5:36 PM

ART & ANTIQUE FAIR THE HAGUEWith 20 Art-& Antique-dealers showing their Collections.

27th and 28th of NovemberCarlton Ambassador HotelSophialaan 2, The HagueAdmission €3,50 - Parking free

ART & ANTIQUE FAIR WASSENAARWith 15 Art-& Antique-dealers showing their Collections.17th till 19th of December 2010

Van Ommerenpark Residencev. Ommerenpark 200, WassenaarFree admission and parking

Info: CANfairs - www.canfairs.nl

Phone: 0172-588402 / 06-54778513


What’s onWhat’s on

Specials events - Autumn 2010POSt A COMMuNIty EVENt IN tHIS MAgAzINE? CONtACt ACCESS PuBLICAtIONS At [email protected], PLEASE tItLE yOur MAIL AS ‘WHAt’S ON’.

21 Septmeber

Prinsjesdag

On Prinsjesdag Queen Beatrix rides her Golden Carriage from Palace Noordeinde in The Hague (her residential home) to the Knights Hall. The streets are lined with crowds and she reads her budget speech to the Upper and the Lower Chamber

Info: www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/

28 October to 15 November

The Hague, Holland Dance Festival

12th Edition of this largest biennial dance festival in the Netherlands. This year the festival boasts over sixty performances, more than one hundred work-shops, and a dance parade with over 1200 amateur dancers. This years festival celebrates the 50th anni-versary of the Nederlands Dans Theater. The festival is opened by the Nederlands Dans Theater I en II at the Lucent Danstheater.

www.hollanddancefestival.com

24-25 September (annual)

Todaysart FestivalPerformances, concerts, exhibi-tions and films by more than 200 artists from 25 countries

Covering artistic disciplines from fashion to contem-porary dance, the annual Todaysart Festival is held across 20 indoor and outdoor venues in The Hague.

Info: http://todaysart.nl/

17 to 20 November

Crossing Border Festival

A huge literature, music and visual arts event, Holland’s Crossing Border Festival presents an inspired mix of writers, musicians and performers. More than 80 acts appear at the Royal Theatre, across a variety of stages. Royal Theatre

Info: www.crossingborder.nl

8 to 17 October

Shoot me Film Festival The Hague

Open on the first Sunday of every month. For further details tel: 070 323 1568. Location: Heliotrope Avenue 15v

Info: http://www.shoot-me.nl/

25 & 26 September

Scheveningen Kite Festival

On Saturday 25 and Sunday, September 26 shaft is the largest international event in the Netherlands pilot site, the MASCOT Kite Festival Scheveningen. Dan ziet Scheveningen ze weer vliegen: vliegers in alle soorten en maten. Scheveningen will see them again fly kites in all shapes and sizes.

Info: http://vliegerfeestscheveningen.nl

26 November

Holland South Event:

The Resident Orchestra goes on tour

A concert prior to the Orchestra’s tour of Vienna, Bratislava, Maribor, Zagreb and Villach. The orchestra is conducted by Neeme Järvi, with Dagmar Pecková, mezzosoprano. Tickets €10 - €36 available online. Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150.

Info: www.ldt.nl

22 October


Piano Penomenon Aldo Ciccolini

The Residence Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Foster, with Aldo Ciccolini, piano. Programme: Franck - Le Chasseur Maudit, Saint-Saëns - Piano Concert Nr. 4, Fauré - Suite ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’, Debussy - La mer. Booking online. Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150.

Info: www.ldt.nl

20 to 29 October

The Cinekid Festival, Amsterdam

“The Cinekid Festival is an annual film, television and new-media festival for children in Amsterdam. Every year more than 50,000 children and (international) guests visit one or more of the five hundred media productions that Cinekid has to offer them: film, doc-umentaries, short films, cartoons, television produc-tions, cross-media productions, interactive installa-tions and workshops. Alongside the main festival in Amsterdam, a satellite programme also featuring the Cinekid films is organised in more than thirty other towns throughout the Netherlands.

Cinekid for Professionals takes place during the Cinekid Festival, providing an opportunity for more than 200 media professionals to meet in order to dis-cuss new developments in the field of children’s media, exchange experiences and promote the produc-tion of children’s films, children’s television and cross-media productions. At CinekidStudio.nl children can make their own media productions. At this special children’s domain children produce their own short films, news broadcasts, video clips or short cartoons.”

Info: www.cinekid.nl

30 September to 3 October

National Tattoo

“Military music from an international line-up of marching bands. Among those appearing are the drum corps Top Secret from Switzerland, the Scots College Pipes and Drums and the OzScot Dancers from Australia and the Englishmen of the Royal Military Band. Ahoy, Rotterdam”

Info: www.ahoy.nl

17 to 28 November

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is the largest event of its kind in the world. The festival will arrive in Amsterdam on 17 November to begin a ten-day programme packed to bursting point. IDFA’s rising popularity guarantees that 2010 will once again see hoards of film-hungry visitors race to the capital to catch one (or more) of the staggering 300 creative documentaries on offer.

Info: www.idfa.nl

Aug 28, 2010 to Jan 9, 2011

The Temporary Stedelijk

“While the new wing of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam continues, the restoration of the original building is almost complete and it will open tempo-rarily to the public with a series of exhibitions in August.The highlight is Taking Place for which specially selected works by contemporary artists will be dis-played in various spaces within the old building. It will include pieces from the museum’s collection of 19th and 20th century art, ranging from paintings and sculpture to industrial and graphic design.Stedelijk Museum”

Info: www.stedelijk.nl

4 to 13 December

Holiday on Ice at RAI, Amsterdam

The traditional skating troupe tell the story of ancient spirits from Stonehenge to Native American tales and Asian mysticism.

Info: www.holidayonice.nl

17 December


Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”

One of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works since it fea-tured in Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’. Performed by the Residence Orchestra conducted by Andrew Grams, with The Hague Sailors’ Choir. Tickets €10 - €36 avail-able online. Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150.

Info: www.ldt.nl

15 October


Morlot conducts Mendelssohn and Schumann

The young French conductor Ludovic Morlot, previously with the New York Philharmonic, conducts The Hague Philharmonic, with American star violinist Jennifer Koh. Programme: Debussy / Escher, Six epigraphes antiques, Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto, Schumann, Symphony No. 2Tickets €10 - €36 available on line. Concert starts at 20:15. Venue: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150

Info: www.ldt.nl

54 | access | AutuMN

the Who’s Who

The HagueAmerican Book Center, Lange Poten 23Bronovo Hospital, Bronovolaan 5Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Sophialaan 2Central Public Library/CentraleOpenbare Bibliotheek, Spui 68Chamber of Commerce/Kamer van Koophandel, Koningskade 30Cheesecake Company, Torenstraat 32GEM, Stadhouderslaan 43International Health Centre,Prins Willemstraat 41Kelly’s Expat Shopping, Piet Heinstraat 105Mercure Hotel, Spui 180MUSEON, Stadhouderslaan 37Novotel Hotel, Hofweg 5-7Nuffic, Kortenaerkade 11Paagman bookshop,Frederik Hendriklaan 217Sherlock Holmes Bar, Sumatrastraat 314Thomas Green Shop, Frederik Hendriklaan 71De Vulpen bookshop,Frederik Hendriklaan 173-179

AmsterdamABC Treehouse, Voetboogstraat 11American Book Center, Spui 12Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce/Kamer van Koophandel, De Ruyterkade 5City Hall/StadhuisVoorlichtingsloket, Amstel 1Amsterdam Public Library/OpenbareBibliotheek Oosterdokskade 143Bagels and Beans, Spaarndammerstraat149a and Parnassuweg 218Dienst Persoonsgegevens,Stadhouderskade 85ExpatCenter WTC, F-tower,2nd Flr. Strawinskylaan 39Town Council/Gemeente Amstelveen,Laan Nieuwer-Amstel 1Htel, Laan van de Helende Meesters 421Hilton Hotel, Apollalaan 138Horlings, Josef Israelkade 46Waterstones, Kalverstraat 152

The Wider Randstad RegionDelftDOK Library Delft, t.a.v. R. van Gorp Vesteplein 100TU Delft Library, Prometheusplein 1LeidenNorth End English Pub, Noordeinde 55Public Library/OpenbareBibliotheek, Nieuwstraat 4RotterdamCity Hall Library/GemeenteBibliotheek, Hoogstraat 110Chamber of Commerce/KamerVan Koophandel, Blaak 40Expat Desk Rotterdam, BeurspleinVoorschotenPublic Library/OpenbareBibliotheek, Wijngaardenlaan 4WassenaarWassenaar Health Center, Hofcampweg 65Public Library/OpenbareBibliotheek, Berkheistraat 55

The HagueManagement Team Manager, The HagueAnne MacDonald AdvertisingWiggert Sackman Community EducationChristine Fischer Computer ServicesJohn Pellet Counselling ServicesAlina Avarvarei Event ManagementRoy Lie A Tjam FinancePatricia AxelradInformation ResearchWang Ju Tsai The Help DeskRichard Goddard Volunteer ResourcesRosemary Farrell

AmsterdamManagement Team Director, AmsterdamAnna Lysenko Community EducationCandace Conner-Kabela Computer ServicesAndy Nicastro Information ResearchJennifer Walsh Public RelationsLiz Tjostolvsen MarketingRadhika Goyal The Help DeskGillian Brooks Volunteer ResourcesHelen Bilbe

Stichting ACCESS Executive DirectorLucie Scott Executive BoardChairmanKiri Kikis, Kikis Investments Vice ChairmanGary Hays, Fonterra (Europe) SecretaryImanda Wapenaar, Director, WFIA MembersCharles van Beuningen, van Beuningen advocaten Connie Moser, Real Estate Publishers B.V. Willemijn van Oppen-Stuyt, Educaide Jessie Rodell, American School of The Hague Vacancy: Treasurer

ACCESS Magazine

AutuMN 2010

Vol. 23 No. 3

Publisher

Stichting ACCESS

Editorial content

[email protected]

Advertising info:

Tel: 070 346 2525

Subscriptions:

[email protected]

Design & LayoutMarek MoggréJeannette Dijkman

ProductionDijkman Publishers

ImagesShirley Agudo Valerie Bernardini Alice de GrootMarianne Lourens

ContributorsKarin EngelbrechtSheilah Gazaleh-WeeversCandace Connor-KabelaAnne Nielsen de BérardOlivia van den Broek-NeriValéria RamosMarie DewulfJacinta NoonanConnie MoserLucie ScottNikki Young

you will also find that the ACCESS Magazine is available through the Human resources Departments of many international companies, organizations, NgO’s etc.

If you would like your employer to also have copies available contact 070 - 346 25 25.the ACCESS Magazine is unique: written, edited, published and distributed by expats for expats.

ACCESS magazine is distributed free of charge. Below is a list of locations to pick up your copy.

Copyright©ACCESS 2010All 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 infor-mation 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.

developer: SAleS:

Tel. +31 70 - 355 84 00

SAleS:

Tel. +31 70 - 375 75 75www.houtrust.info

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