Well, friends, this is going to be my very last Expat Chronicles. I know! Sniff. I will miss it as well. But as of last Thursday, I am an expat no longer. I have officially become a Dutch citizen, and my minor children along with me. I have some ideas to continue writing about my life, as well as my experiences in The Netherlands, but we will talk about that later. For today let’s wrap up this series with a snapshot of my journey to becoming a Nederlander.
Read MoreA diploma for swimming? You might be asked if your child has one if you take her swimming in The Netherlands! Why all the fuss, and what does this mean to Dutch people? Let’s take a stab at this rite of passage for Dutch children.
Read More“Oh, that is our Dutch Calvinism.” It wasn’t long after I moved to The Netherlands that at Dutch friend explained her behavior in such terms. The thing is, she was talking about why they don’t often dine out. Huh? Nowadays most Dutch are not religious at all; nevertheless, they still consider themselves culturally Calvinistic. How is that?
Read MoreBy the time I immigrated to The Netherlands in 2019, I was a relatively environmentally friendly person. But there is always more to learn and more ways to grow. Happily, The Netherlands is teaching me. Here are some progressive environmental perspectives that I have been delighted to find in the Dutch society.
Read MorePolitics?!?! Yikes. Let us all first take a deep breath. I won’t be writing a treatise on Dutch politics, only sharing a few stark differences that I notice from my American perspective. Political Parties, Elections, Collaboration and How the Government Steps Down.
Read MoreAll about my 2 weeks in France! The pros and cons of spontaneous camping, at least from my perspective. A ton of photos showcasing the country sites and our city days. The food, the wine, and a little scoop on my new boyfriend too. Voila!
Read MoreAt this time of year Dutch cities and towns begin to hum with energy again. The sun begins to warm shoulders, and we insist on being outside! Everything has come alive and its beauty turns our head. We answer by braving the cool spring weather on bikes, on foot and especially when eating out.
Read MoreChoosing a name is a unique cultural expression. The Netherlands has its own naming culture with traditions, trends and secrets that have been fun to discover. Here is what I’ve noticed about naming in The Netherlands.
Read MoreWe spent the days between Christmas and New Years Eve traipsing around Amsterdam as a family, on foot and by tram, exploring the city’s attractions. Are you curious about Amsterdam during the holidays? These are the highlights of our trip!
Read MoreUntil moving abroad I never thought much about how the American justice system compared to other nations. When I discussed our lawsuit with my new Dutch friends, we were surprised with the differences. Who rules on a lawsuit, how is evidence submitted, how long should it take? Here’s how it works in The Netherlands.
Read MoreAs I observe the lifestyles of my Dutch friends, I notice cultural patterns of frequent family connection. It strikes me that the proximity makes possible a tight-knit family cultural. Here are some Dutch habits I’ve observed with admiration and not a little jealousy.
Read MoreThis year Aria is a high school graduate - - - in The Netherlands! I think you’ll enjoy hearing about how this major milestone is experienced here, from the intensity of final exams to the Dutch graduation ceremony and how it is celebrated.
Read MoreI brought all of my fabric and even my scraps, when I moved overseas. In the last three years, I’ve gotten to know what it’s like to shop for quilt fabrics as a European. Let’s talk about the costs, accessibility and my favorite quilt shop destinations!
Read MoreFor us, the desire to immigrate to Europe came first, but affordable higher education made the move both possible and practical. In the Netherlands college is cheap and admissions are stress-free. Here’s what we’ve experienced so far in Dutch higher education.
Read MoreDo you know that Dutch people are the tallest in the world on average? According to scientists, it’s likely that food plays a roll. Interesting, right? Now do you want to eat like a Nederlander? Here are the basics.
Read MoreIt was one of my biggest concerns with moving to The Netherlands 2 1/2 years ago - how long would it take to make friends? As a cultural outsider who didn’t speak Dutch and has no family ties to the Dutch people, making new connections seemed daunting, but clearly vital.
Read MoreI enjoy sharing the different ways that society can be organized because it opens up possibilities for gratitude and maybe even change. So, are you curious about how children’s sports and extracurriculars are set up in The Netherlands?
Read MoreSocial trust wasn’t a value growing up in the United States. I was taught that making yourself vulnerable to strangers was reckless, foolish, irresponsible. Our time in The Netherlands is showing us another way to live.
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