Articles

Circumcision: a sensitive subject

It is a sensitive subject: circumcision. What is very normal in Arabic countries, people in the West may find to be odd. What do people in the Netherlands think about circumcision?

Would you like to learn better Dutch?

It is sometimes difficult to find websites where you can practice using the Dutch language. We have made a list for you. Who knows, maybe it will help!

ZZP'er: what is that and how can you become one?

In order to become an entrepreneur in the Netherlands you do not necessarily need to establish a business. You can also become a freelancer or a ZZP'er. ZZP (self-employed with no personnel) is not an official understanding. The law for example does not state exactly what a ZZP'er is. In practice, the term is used for the self-employed who offer their services to various clients. For example a bricklayer who works for various companies. Or a journalist, or IT specialist who hires out their services. You are a business of your own, or in other words, a one-person business.

How can you solve financial problems?

Managing your finances is easier for some people than others. But when you are new in a country, handling your finances is a great challenge for everyone. You do not understand the letter you have received or you forget to pay an important bill. It is easy to end up having overdue bills and debt, but how can you best deal with this?

4 Seasons in 1 Day

What is it about the Dutch and the weather? They can’t stop talking about it! Is it going to rain today? Will there be sunshine? Will there be a Code Yellow? You have a good chance of seeing all of this happening in 1 day, because the weather in the Netherlands is always changing.

Srebrenica: a black page in Dutch history

Last week the court in The Hague issued a verdict in a case that was brought by 6000 relatives of the victims of Srebrenica. According to the court, the Netherlands are partly responsible for the deaths of nearly 350 Muslim men in Srebrenica.

Khadija Arib: From a newcomer to the chairperson of the Lower House

Imagine arriving in the Netherlands at the age of 15. What would be your dream, what would you like to do? Would you dream of becoming the spokesperson of the House of Representatives (Lower House)?

Ali B: From a street kid to a famous presenter

Ali B (Ali Bouali) was born in 1981 and is a Dutch artist with a Moroccan background. He is known as a rapper and as a comedian.

10 things that you'll recognizes when you are learning Dutch

Dutch humor

Which comedians should you as a newcomer get to know in the Netherlands? What can you make jokes about in the Netherlands? And who are the most famous funny people in the country?

Mardjan Seighali: From client to director of UAF

As a refugee and a woman, she had to work extra hard to make a career. She has done well, as far as we are concerned!

Danny Ghosen: From a refugee of war to being a Dutch journalist

At the age of fifteen, Danny came from Lebanon to the Netherlands. He is now a successful journalist who has worked for various television broadcasters.

Mustafa Marghadi: From the Apple Core to Italy!

Mustafa is a famous face of the program the Apple Core (het Klokhuis). He studied journalism in Utrecht and worked as a trainee, radio presenter and editor for various broadcasters such as the NOS, the radioprogram News and Co and RTV Utrecht.

Turkish Dutchman held in Turkey

A Turkish-Dutch man was detained during his vacation in Turkey. He isn’t allowed to leave the country because to the Turkish authorities suspect him of offending president Erdogan on social media. There is a lot of discussion about traveling to Turkey, and members of parliament are asking for a reinforced travel advice from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Besan's viewers tip

Am I the only foreigner here? When I first walked through the streets of the Netherlands, I got a weird feeling. As if I was the only foreigner or immigrant in this country. But actually, this idea is a little crazy.

Arash's viewers tip

Why do the Dutch sometimes dress in orange clothing? Not when they go to work, but just a few times per year. I found the answer in this funny clip and now I know for sure why I will be wearing orange to the next celebration!

Basel's viewers tip

I come from the Middle East. A region where borders are becoming stronger by the hour, not only between countries but sometimes even between the neighborhoods of the same city! In Europe, however, there are no borders! How did the Europeans achieve that? Watch this episode of “The Apple Core” and find out!

Habib's viewers tip

The program Faith and a whole lot of love takes you to the world of ordinary people in the Netherlands. You hear the Dutch talk about their daily activities and concerns. You can feel how much we are looking alike, and that we all hope and want the same.

"Ghiath Show" Radio program

It’s real and it’s there! The first radio program in Arabic on Dutch radio, can you believe that? Every Monday afternoon you can listen to the radio program The Ghiath Show on SALTO radio. He receives guests and talks with them about everything that might interest newcomers in the Netherlands. Last Monday, I, Besan Zarzar, was his guest to talk about our website “New to the Netherlands”.

"Meet The Other" Festival

Many newcomers do not feel welcome in the Netherlands. That became obvious following a discussion with the initiators of the “Meet The Other” festival which will begin on 18 December in Utrecht. New to the Netherlands spoke with two of the organizers of the festival: “That newcomers do not feel welcome usually comes from the media which publishes too much news about angry people who want to accept fewer refugees.” However: in “real life” there are a great number of people who really want to organize something to help these “new Dutch,” as they are called.