General info on daily Dutch life
When trying to get settled in the Netherlands you will no doubt have many questions on practical issues. How does the public transport system work? How do you open a bank account? How do you get cable TV? Do you have to register your car or your foreign driver’s licence? This section will provide answers to many questions like these.
- Orientation: on the Netherlands and its 12 provinces
- Dutch cultural profile: key features and do's and don'ts
- Dutch business culture: key features and do's and don'ts
- Public holidays: list of days when you won't have to work, and short intro to some festive days
- Food & drink: on Dutch and other local cuisine
Practical matters
- Getting around: by car, bicycle or public transport
- Money matters: on the Euro, cost of living, insurances and understanding your payslip
- In need of help: essential phone numbers, legal matters, medical care
- Finding a job: help on writing a cv and cover letter for a Dutch employer
- Conversion charts: weights, temperature, distance and clothing sizes
- Dutch media: newspapers, radio and television
Other sources of information
Good places to start looking for information are your new colleagues, roommates and contact persons at your company or host institution. On a less personal level, another good place to start is your local town or city hall. They will surely have printed materials available on several practical issues. Information on the peculiarities of your town, association, clubs, local markets, church services will usually be available as well. On arrival you will have to visit the town hall anyway to get yourself registered. Why not pick up some leaflets at the same time?
Reading suggestions
Once the first rush has passed, you may want to dig into Dutch culture a bit deeper. You have probably had your first encounters with Dutch customs and local behaviour. Perhaps you’re experiencing culture shock. A pile of literature is available to introduce you to the Netherlands and its people. We include a short list:
“Living in Holland", Marilyn Warman, ISBN 90 5464 033 2
“The Low Sky. Understanding the Dutch”, Han van der Horst, ISBN 90 5594 199 9
“The Holland Handbook”, X-pat media, ISBN 90 5594 301 0
"The Xpat Journal", a quarterly issued magazine for expatriates.
All of these, and many more, are available through the Holland Books website.
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