Connect International serves the international community in

the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.

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Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.

Services: Join Us!You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.

Visit: www.connect-int.org

● Immigration services● Home search & set-up● Career services● Social events, activities & clubs● Business events● Personal support & assistance● “Buddy” -system● Free access to books & guides● Knowledge database

Connecting Worlds

Welcome New Members!Connect International would like to welcome the following new members:

Vivek Dalal, Ferdinand Lewi, Jing Li, Istora Pattakova, Antoine Rimbert, Lim Jia En, Lin Junhan, Levke Clausen, Kelly Hoffmann, Alex Ivanov, Michael Lee Beavers, Christine Eulenburg

Connect International Office:Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98, GroningenPostbus 16, 9700 AA GroningenTelephone: 050 7440087Email: info@connect-int.orgWebsite: www.connect-int.org

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EditorialEditor: Stephanie FermorAssistant Editor: Margaret MetsalaWriters: Stephanie Fermor, Alexandra van den Doel, Maria Kuznetsova, Karen Prowse

Send all letters and submissions to:publications@connect-int.org

Editorial and advertising in Connections is based on material, written and verbal, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions, and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Connections is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission by the publisher.

Important Dates

Primary Education & Secondary Education SchoolsBasisonderwijs & Voortgezet onderwijs

North Netherlands 16 July 2016 - 28 August 2016 Week 29 - 34Mid-Netherlands 9 July 2016 - 21 August 2016 Week 28 - 33South Netherlands 23 July 2016 - 4 September 2016 Week 30 - 35Some schools do run different vacation times, so be sure to double check with your school for exact dates.

IMPORTANT DATESSpring School Vacation Times

Summer Olympics, Rio 2016 5 - 21 August 2016Feast of Assumption (Offerfeest) 11 - 13 September 2016911 Remembrance 11 September 2016Budget Day (Prinsjesdag) 20 September 2016International Peace Day (UN) 21 September 2016Autumnal Equinox 22 September 2016Oktoberfest , Germany 27 September - 2 October 2016

Other Dates

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What’s on August & September 2016

International Coffee MorningFriday 5 August, 10:30 hrsDoppio Cafe (Groningen)

CONNECT EVENTSConnect Events

International Coffee MorningFriday 2 September, 10:30 hrsDoppio Cafe (Groningen)

Book ClubThursday 8 September, 20:00 hrs(Groningen)

International Coffee MorningFriday 19 August, 10:30 hrsDoppio Cafe (Groningen)

Pub NightFriday 19 August, 18:00 hrsO’Malley’s Irish Pub (Groningen)

Crafts Club: Beading workshopSunday 28 August, 14:00 hrsHet Concerthuis (Groningen)

International Coffee MorningFriday 16 September, 10:30 hrsDoppio Cafe (Groningen)

Pub NightFriday 16 September, 18:00 hrsO’Malley’s Irish Pub (Groningen)

"Unleash your audacious YOU" WorkshopSunday 18 September, 13:00 hrsHet Concerthuis (Groningen)

Crafts Club: Beading workshopSunday 25 September, 14:00 hrsHet Concerthuis (Groningen)

International Coffee MorningFriday 30 September, 10:30 hrsDoppio Cafe (Groningen)

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What’s on August & September 2016

OTHER EVENTSEvents in Groningen, Friesland & Drenthe

Coopluydenmarkt AppingedamMedival festival5 August, Appingedamwww.coopluydenmarkt.nl

Sneekweek, traditional naval show5 - 14 August, Sneekwww.sneekweekgids.nl

Introduction to Dutch MOOCDutch language course for beginnersStarts 15th August, RuGhttp://goo.gl/63Sl7Q

Noorderzon, performing arts festival18 - 28 August, Groningenwww.noorderzon.nl

Open MonumentendagThe theme for Open Monumentendag 2016 is Icons and Symbols. 10 - 11 September, Groningenwww.openmonumentendag.nl

NajaarsplantenmarktAutumn flower and plant market24 - 25 September, Meedenwww.tuingoedfoltz.nl

Donderdag MeppeldagEach Thursday through out the summer, Meppel celebrates with a children’s flea market in the morning, and live music and performances in the afternoon and evening; each day has its own theme.

4 AugustThe street theater festival with legendary performances and spectacular acts.

11 AugustAmsterdam day, with singing, dancing and many famous Amsterdam artists.

18 AugustStreet orchestras in the city center

25 AugustDay full of laughs with a circus and entertainment

Ballon Fiësta MeerstadHot air balloon festival2 - 3 September, Harkstedewww.meerstad.eu

Proeven in GroningenFood tasting event, coins cost €1,503 - 4 September, Groningenwww.proeveningroningen.nl

ReitdieppopFree music festival for the whole family9 - 11 September, Groningenhttps://goo.gl/s6UGec

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Upcoming Workshop

DARE TO PLAY REAL BIG! Unleash your audacious YOU

Autumn is a good time to focus on yourself and to reflect on life. To support you in this complex but necessary process, Connect International is organizing an inspirational workshop called, "Unleash your audacious YOU : Experience profound and sustainable happiness" that will be presented by Blanca Vergara, an author, motivational speaker and heart-centered leadership strategist.

No matter what your cultural and professional background is, during this two-hour-long workshop, you will learn to make first steps in letting go of blame, fear or complacency and discover how you can play real big. Blanca will dare you to embrace risk, seek new experiences and learn from setbacks. The three main topics you will be focusing on under Blanca’s guidance are: overcoming procrastination, creating sustainable personal change and dealing with setbacks.

Are thoughts like these keeping you playing way too small? • I tried before and it didn’t work • I just cannot make this any better • They can do it; they are better • I give up • I will never be able to do it

You can play bigger than you think. Blanca will show you how to access your potential. You might be quite successful now (in everybody’s eyes), but deep inside you do know that there is a higher level that you have not allowed yourself to become. There is a higher level of meaning, potential and joy for you. And you do want to once and for all be there: embodying your magnificent YOU. Blanca Vergara will share with you her story – how she fired her bad bosses: guilt, fear and blame, allowing her to play real big – and how you can do the same.

Blanca's strong academic background, solid corporate experience, plus her Aztec heritage make her a mentor who not only understands the challenges of modern life but also has the vision and innovation to overcome them. To learn more about Blanca Vergara and her project, please visit www.blancavergara.com/

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Information Center

BREXITAnd what it might mean for you

Back in June, the UK voted on whether or not to remain a part of the European Union. The outcome was that 52% of voters voted to leave the EU. So what now?

Firstly, it is important to understand that right now, everything is as it was. The UK is still part of the EU, British citizens still have the right to live and work freely in the EU and do not need to rush out and apply for a Dutch residence permit or citizenship (unless you want to).

Secondly, it is completely unclear what the eventual outcome of Brexit will mean. When Theresa May (the new British Prime minster) invokes Article 50, the UK will

have two years (maybe more) to negotiate its leave from the EU. In those negotiations the UK and EU have to come to an agreement on many aspects, such as trade treaties and freedom of movement. It is the outcome of those negotiations that will possibly affect British citizens living and working here in the Netherlands.

As things develop and more information is known, Connect and the IWCN will help spread the word about what Brexit will mean for British citizens living in the Netherlands. If you have immediate worries, questions or concerns, you can contact Connect or the IWCN, and we will try our best to inform and help.

Written by Stephanie Fermor

Testimonials

"Life changing! In life you meet many people but only very few have the power to change your life. Blanca has this power, and this is maybe because she does what she likes to do in life, and she does it very well. Only in one hour I saw her touching the heart of more than one person, all with different backgrounds, nationalities and ages". Carina Bravo Plancarte, Groningen/Mexico

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that LITTLE extra. That is Blanca , a woman with an extraordinary talent and aptitude to speak to others. It’s nothing enormous about her, just a little twist making a full modification. She’s not just another inspirational speaker and coach; it’s that extra that makes her reach into your heart giving you the strength to move the next mountain. Blanca has a self-confident attitude that can be contagious. Don’t let her pass by without catching it”. Laverne Hunt, Amsterdam

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Expat Tips

DUAL-CAREER WORKSHOP SERIES OFFERED BY RUG

So, here you are in Groningen, facing many new challenges. You are busy settling into a new city and setting up a household, perhaps learning Dutch and building new social and professional networks. Perhaps you have already thought about the next step in your professional life, or about starting voluntary work. Or maybe you’ve applied for a job but have not yet received the good news you’re hoping for. You might have found that job hunting is not easy and that Dutch language proficiency requirements make it even more difficult.

talents and a good grasp of soft skills, such as adapting to business culture in the Netherlands or elsewhere, are prerequisites for a successful career. There are three questions you need to be able to answer before you can successfully apply for a job: Who am I? What am I capable of? What do I want?

The first three workshops in our series will focus on empowering you to find your personal and professional place in your new environment. You will learn how to use your specific experience, talents and skills and translate them into added value in your new context. Only then will you be able to define a feasible new goal and take your next step. In the final two workshops, you will learn how to present yourself in this labour market and how to apply for a job, and you will learn the necessary skills to successfully get where you want to go.

Dual-Career Support from the University of Groningen is offering a series of five workshops to help you with searching for a new job, voluntary work or a meaningful purpose in life which matches your wishes and talents. These three-hour workshops focus on learning by doing, and involve the application of knowledge and skills based on career-support theories. We will help you out with tips, tricks and knowledge regarding Dutch culture, particularly Dutch business culture. The workshops are designed for newcomers to the Dutch or regional labour market, whether they are in Groningen temporarily or permanently. The workshops are in English.

What is the specific content of these workshops? In today’s labour market, it is increasingly important for professionals to work continually on their personal development. Being able to reflect on your own skills and

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Expat Tips

Workshop dates

29 September, Annette RauhStarting a Meaningful Life Abroad

11 October, Annette RauhLooking into the Mirror

27 October, Fransis BoschNew Perspectives on My Way into the Labour Market

10 November, Fransis BoschDo’s and Don’ts of Applying for a Job

29 November, Annette RauhNetworking Works!

For more information about each workshop visit http://goo.gl/wVNhAE

What are the learning goals?After completing our series of workshops you will have gained:

• knowledge about yourself as a person and as a professional in a new cultural environment • knowledge about how to make new career choices and how to present yourself, and the skills to do so • a basic set of skills and techniques to successfully conquer the Dutch labour market.

In some cases, further individual career support might be advisable and/or necessary.

CostFor non-University people, the cost for the series of five workshops is 250 euros. Preference will be given to the partners of RUG staff if there are not enough spaces open.

RegisterPlease register by sending an email to: dualcareer@rug.nl

The instructorsAnnette Rauh originally hails from Germany and has been living and working in the Netherlands since 1997. She uses her own experiences as an expat in Brazil and West Africa, and her 17 years of work in higher education in the Netherlands, to support expats in finding a professional future. Annette works closely with International Welcome Center North. As a career coach and expert in Dutch business culture and managing diversity, it is her ambition and desire to help talented expats find success in the Dutch labour market.

Fransis Bosch is the owner of the Talent and Career Center, where she also works as a talent coach and trainer. Her creativity, energy and ability to see people’s potential talent allow her to inspire expats to find and be successful in their dream job. Fransis has been a career coach since 1991, and the recurring theme in her work is a positive human vision. Taking inspiration from the Talent & Career Center’s slogan and mission statement ‘Return on your talent’, and from the motto ‘Give me a job that suits me and I will never have to work again’, Fransis does everything she can to ensure that as many of her highly educated clients as possible find jobs that perfectly match their talent and qualities.

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Netherlands and beyond

HISTORY OF THE TERPNot quite as flat as a pancake

Everyone knows the Netherlands is flat. Apart from the three hills in Limburg, flat, completely flat. Or is it?If one looks closely, particularly in the coastal provinces of Friesland and Groningen (and to a lesser extent, Noord-Holland and Zeeland), one can see churches, farms and even villages raised up on flattish hillocks. (There were once ones in Drenthe, but they have since disappeared.) These are known as terps (terpen in Dutch) and have been around since at least 500 BC.

The word terp

The word terp is from the Frisian, meaning ‘village’ and is closely related to the old English word thorp (plenty of place names in the UK with that ending) and the Dutch word for village: dorp. In Groningen the word wierde, meaning ‘height’ or ‘living hill’ is used.

Place names showing a history of being built on a terp tend to end in –um in Friesland (Dokkum, Marum, Bakkum, to name a few) and in Groningen in – werd (Garnwerd, Selwerd for example, but also Saksum, Bedum), whereas those in Noord-Holland tend to end in –werf (e.g. Wieringerwerf). Interestingly, the capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden is an amalgation of several villages built on terps.

Café Hammingh Garnwerd Allersmaborg Ezinge

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Netherlands and beyond

History of the terp

Terps were originally built to protect houses, whole villages and churches from flooding (by sea or river) and were communal constructions. They became higher as time went on and as human and animal waste slowly raised them up.

Later, when dykes were built to control flooding and water levels throughout the region more effectively, they were no longer viewed as necessary. Due to the centuries of animal waste being dumped on them and concentrated there, the ground was very fertile. In the 18th and 19th century, they were dug up and the fertile earth sold to spread around less fertile ground. Unfortunately, this was done indiscriminately, thereby not only defacing the landscape but also losing much archaeological information and hundreds of thousands of artefacts from every day pottery and animal bones to Roman statuettes. All the ones in Drenthe were lost during this time.

The practice was slowed and halted in the

mid-19th century when the government decided to tax the ownership of terps because of the sale of the fertile land. This had the added (unintended) bonus that all terps were catalogued and inventorised, allowing for present day historical and archaeological studies.

Terps today

So terps today are not deemed necessary anymore, but many have survived and give a characteristic look to churches and villages around the northern coastal provinces. If you wish to visit some, check out the lists on Wikipedia, for example. The trip would be worth it just to discover and explore some of the little villages around the area, some of which are truly lovely within themselves. The provided lists are not comprehensive and once you know what to look for, you may be able to spot some and add them to the list yourself!

Written by Alexandra van den Doel

Terpkerk Saaksum

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Food for Thought

CHEESECAKE IN A JARYummy summery dessert

Going on a picnic this summer? Or maybe hosting a BBQ for friends? This white chocolate and vanilla raspberry cheesecake is perfect! And it is served in individual jars so everyone can enjoy their own.

Cheesecake (makes 6)

200 gram Bastogne biscuits 100 gram butter (boter) 200 gram white chocolate (witte chocolade) 125 ml cream (slagroom) 100 gram cream cheese (roomkaas) 125 gram mascarpone 1 vanilla pod (vanilla stokje) or ½ tsp vanilla extract

Sauce

200 gram raspberries (frambozen), can be frozen or fresh 1/2 tablespoon sugar (suiker) Juice of half a lemon

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Food for Thought

Break the Bastogne biscuits into fine crumbs (use a food blender, or rolling pin to break them up).

Melt the butter over a low heat, then add to the Bastogne crumbs and mix well.

Divide the mixture between the jars, pressing the mixture down firmly, so you have about a 1 cm layer.

Break up and melt the white chocolate in an bain marie (double boiler).

Put the cream, cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth, then add the white chocolate and mix it through.

Divide the mixture between the jars.

For the topping, mix on a low heat 2/3 of the raspberries with the sugar and lemon

juice for about 10 minutes or until the raspberries are broken down. If you like, strain the sauce to remove the seeds.

Divide the sauce between the jars and add the remaining raspberries.

Allow at least 12 hours in the refrigerator and enjoy!

Don’t have any spare empty jars?

You can buy new jars at places such as Blokker, Xenos, Hema and Action. Or use small drink glasses.

Written by Stephanie Fermor

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Information Center

IWCN SERVICE PARTNERS 2016

The IWCN has a wide range of reliable service partners for internationals living in the Northern Netherlands. The partners offer expert services in various areas, including Housing & Relocation; Legal Services, Insurance & Finance; Tax Consulting; Health & Child Care; Payroll & HR; Tavel & Leisure; Education: Recruitment; and Career Support. All of the partners of the IWCN offer services in English.

The Student Hotel

Centrally located in the hip and artistic Ebbinge Quarter, The Student Hotel Groningen is the perfect launchpad for adventures in this youthful, cultural city. Explore car-free Groningen centre by foot or bicycle. Local area highlights include the iconic Martini Tower, Mendini’s Groningen Museum and the English landscape park, Noorderplantsoen. At The Student Hotel, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind space that combines the energy and spontaneity of a university campus with the style and full-service amenities of a boutique hotel. In our super sleek communal spaces, everyone is welcome to kick back, relax, play a game of ping pong and soak up

some of that groovy atmosphere.

Ziggurat Taaltrainingen

Ziggurat Language Training Center offers individualized instruction, scheduled group classes, and company courses. The intake interview, given to all prospective students, establishes what the student wants and needs from a language training, the preferred learning style, and the current language level. The teachers and managers at Ziggurat look for different ways to help students learn the language faster and will adapt a course in any way to make it even better. When you give your time and best efforts to language learning, Ziggurat works hard so you get the most out of that time.

Real Estate Consultancy Vastgoed

Real Estate Consultancy Vastgoed is a company known for its personal approach, creativity and involvement. We assist our customers throughout the rental process – a process that a tenant or a landlord can be unfamiliar with. We keep all the parties informed throughout the whole rental process. To rent properties from landlords and to accompany tenants to find the right accommodation are our strengths! Real Estate Consultancy is distinguished by the high level of expertise in the Expat market. If you are looking to buy a house or rent an

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Information Center

accommodation, you can reach us seven days a week. The accommodations we handle are varied: from fully furnished accommodations to short term or long term agreements. We are ready to help.

Expats at Ease

Your company recruits professionals from abroad. Expats at Ease understands that the expat (impat) has a more-than-full-time job, which does not leave much time to make all arrangements. We can assist you with all International Assignment Services and arrange for a smooth integration of all family members for which we have developed a tailored workshop, (“Gezellig hè?”) Never underestimate local knowledge. Your success is our goal.

Holland Payroll

Holland Payroll is a recognized sponsor at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), which means we are allowed to contract with and guide highly skilled migrants and provide them with payroll solutions.

Arvode

Arvode is your partner regarding the outsourcing of your HR and payroll. Our specialties include expat-international payroll, global services, single point of contact and our payment service. Personal, Knowledge, Flexible.

Focuz Support

Focuz Support provides a wide variety of services, ranging from housing

accomodation, Hertz Rent a Car service, hotel booking agent to facility management. We are ‘focuzzed’ on service and quality in everything we do. Please visit our website or contact us to see what we can do for you!

Postillion Hotel

Postillion Hotel Haren Groningen is a comfortable three star hotel, conveniently located near the city of Groningen. The hotel is located in a beautiful area in the center of Haren, which is a town near the Paterswoldsemeer and Groningen Airport Eelde, and only a five-minute drive from the city of Groningen. Moreover, the municipality of Haren has been awarded ‘Best Municipality of 2011′.

Connect International Relocation Services

Connect International offers high quality, personal relocation services to help internationals settle with ease. Successful relocation is a complex process. It requires organization, professional implementation and comprehensive follow through. We cover all stages of relocation: immigration, pre-arrival, orientation, home finding (lease negotiation, setting up utilities, etc.), settling in (registration with the municipality, arranging a bank account and insurances, etc.), and long-term personal support. Our dedicated Relocation team always goes the extra mile. Consequently, the result of hiring Connect International for relocation help is an uncomplicated new beginning for the expatriate and family and thus a motivated and more quickly operational employee.

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Information Center

HLB Nannen

The accountants and tax lawyers firm HLB Nannen has sites in Groningen and Emmen. Although we are part of a national and international network, HLB Nannen has retained its local focus. Our company has been rooted in the north of the Netherlands since its beginnings in 1942 – our employees are from our region, speak the language and are involved. We like to provide personal advice on your tax matters and make sure you do not miss opportunities. It goes without saying that we can help you meet your fiscal obligations.

Beljon + Westerterp

Beljon + Westerterp is one of the five largest HR consultancy agencies in the Netherlands. Committed with professional advice, and a specialized knowledge of recruitment, development and interim management, Beljon + Westerterp helps people and organizations to optimally use their talents and opportunities.From our national network of offices, we offer services to organizations in the profit and the non-profit sector at the level of management and professionals, board of directors, management board and board members and regulators.

Annette Rauh Coaching & Consult

Looking for a job in the northern Netherlands? Wondering how you can keep your career attractive and balanced while living abroad? Expat career coach Annette Rauh helps make your career match to job possibilities in the Netherlands.

Lefier

Lefier strives every day to provide affordable housing in good neighborhoods. We are client-focused and involved in the local communities. Lefier rents good accommodations for a fair price and in diverse price classes. Soft-furnished and fully-furnished rentals are both possible.

Boxx Global Expat Solutions

Boxx Global Expat Solutions is a completely independent (privately owned) service provider that is fully specialized in the international tax, social security, immigration, HR, legal and coordination aspects of corporateglobal mobility. Boxx and its employees are dedicated and passionate about global mobility. We see our business as a human-to-human activity; we bring our business by being up close and personal. Would you like toget to know more about Boxx? Then visit our website!

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Information Center

Groningen Airport Eelde

Since its founding in 1931, Groningen Airport Eelde has become a very complete international airport, located near Groningen, and offering high quality facilities and a market-orientated approach. Groningen Airport Eelde wants to become the first choice in airports for vacationers and the business world in the northern part of the Netherlands. A few of the advantages of Groningen Airport Eelde are the accessibility, the favorable departure times and the quick check-in.

High Standard Travel

High Standard Travel focuses on organizing beautiful, accessible and high quality trips for individuals as well as groups. These trips can be daytrips but also multiple-day trips abroad. The company knows its destinations, its accommodations and its guides, and the bus is driven by one of the founders. In almost all cases, the organization can satisfy the requirements of the clients.

Prostruct

Prostruct is a nationally- and internationally-operating employment agency within the area of civil engineering, offshore, construction and engineering. The agency specializes in the recruitment of technical specialists with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree for middle and senior positions at contractors, engineering agencies, authorities, housing associations, architects and industrial companies. Prostruct is an organization that brings the candidates and clients together and opts for a sustainable relationship.

Mevrouw Smit studiebegeleiding

Stuck at school? Don’t know what’s expected of you in your studies? At Mrs. Smit’s study house, you will learn how to study! Through a personal phased plan, you will rediscover the joy in learning and improve your test grades, so you can regain control of your studies. After a year of study counseling at Mrs Smit, you will find which type of studying suits you best and under which circumstances. Mrs Smit also gives extra tutoring to students who need extra support for a course.

Pallas Attorneys-at-Law

Pallas Attorneys specializes in employment law and employee participation law. Within this area of expertise, Pallas Attorneys engages in advising, guiding and litigation for employers, employees, directors, expatriates, freelancers and works councils.

SKSG

SKSG (Stichting Kinderopvang Stad Groningen) provides all forms of professional childcare at childcare centers and with child-minders spread over the city of Groningen and the region.

Vidend Consultancy

Vidend Consultancy is a financial consulting firm that focuses on SME’s, director major shareholders, expatriates, accounting and administrative offices and freelancers. Their services relate to taxes, finance and insurance.

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Information Center

KeyPro Housing

KeyPro Housing offers fully-furnished homes in all major cities of the Netherlands tailored to the needs of you or your (international) personnel. KeyPro will ensure appropriate housing with a suitable interior design for any budget and of the desired quality.

Europass

Europass is an initiative of the European Commission facilitating mobility in working and learning. Ensuring qualifications and competences are transparent is essential to improving the mobility between European countries and national sectors.

Groningse Schoolvereniging

The GSV is a regional primary school with a Bilingual and an International Department. Their Bilingual Department provides lessons in both English and Dutch, while in their International Department, the children are taught in English.

International School Groningen

The International School Groningen serves the secondary school needs of the International Community in the north of the Netherlands. The International School Groningen educates young people to become responsible world citizens through creative, critical and meaningful contributions to society.

Blue Umbrella

Blue Umbrella is a professional and experienced full service provider for Dutch tax matters. It is their mission to help your international staff to stay compliant with the Dutch Tax Rules and Regulations. Blue Umbrella acts as an English language interface between your staff and the Dutch Tax Administration.

ABN AMRO Bank

ABN AMRO offers private customers, private bankers and corporate customers comprehensive financial products and services. They provide in-depth financial expertise, broad knowledge of many sectors and an international network for the purpose of national and international activities.

Language Centre University of Groningen

Communicating successfully starts with language skills and cultural understanding. Advanced proficiency in communication will increase your opportunities. The Language Centre combines academic expertise and innovative learning with practical experience for professionals and students.

Van der Meulen Makelaars

Van der Meulen Makelaars is a major rental agent in Groningen. Specializing in the rental of furnished accommodation in Groningen, their wide range of properties consists of houses and apartments, with or without gardens, for both temporary or indefinite stays in and around Groningen.

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Information Center

UTS Van Hoek

UTS Van Hoek is the moving company of Groningen for all your national and international removals, project removals and storage of household effects, inventories and archives.

Talent and Career Center

The Talent & Career Center has over 20 years of experience in the field of talent and career development of people with a higher education, has a broad international academic network, knows what is happening on the labor market and would like highly educated professionals and organizations to benefit from that.

Inter-Being

Inter-Being offers psychological counselling and coaching by a psychologist and counselor in English, Dutch, Slovenian and Croatian in the center of Groningen and in Amsterdam. Skype and/or telephone sessions are also possibilities. Inter-Being strives to help their clients to find their own answers and solutions to problems through a relationship based on mutual respect, equality and empowerment.

More information and contact details can be found on the IWCN website, www.iwcn.nl