Post | June 2024 | 1 min read

The Latest Version of the Access Magazine is now online!

As an international here in the Netherlands, have you ever run into cultural and bureaucratic hurdles for which you wish you’d been more prepared? Based on our own personal experiences, we’re guessing the answer is probably yes. But never fear, because there is help out there! For over 30 years, ACCESS has been getting important information and resources out to expats in order to help them build successful, happy lives here in the Netherlands. This includes everything from practical information such as how to get housing or health care to more cultural information such as Dutch etiquette and traditions, as well as how to find and build social networks!

In recent years, ACCESS has been a fantastic partner to us at Volunteer The Hague, helping us to get our message about the importance of volunteering out to our expat community. We’re excited about the services they offer and the work that they do, so we’re both happy and proud to continue our partnership with them in the future. In that spirit, we’re thrilled to announce that Access Magazine’s new issue for the year 2024 is now available on their website. In this issue, you’ll find features on important topics such as tips and tricks to make the relocation process easier, features on international entrepreneurs, articles on local cuisine, tips on personal wellbeing, and much more!

And if you like this issue, you can also go back and look at their magazine archive so you can peruse previous issues as well! Don’t forget to also take a look at their website to find the most important and up-to-date information on how to make a great life for yourself here in the Netherlands, as well as information about how to contact them directly for advice. We hope you’ll find Access to be as brilliant as a resource as we do!

View Access Magazine

The Latest Issue of Access Magazine Out Now!

The Latest Version of the Access Magazine - Now Available for Download!

Volunteer The Hague Takes the Stage at the Annual Feel at Home Fair + Full Program Video

On 14 March (and for the 7th year in a row!) Volunteer The Hague once again enthusiastically participated in The Hague Online's Feel at Home International Community Fair! Every year, this fun and informative event brings together local internationals with businesses, service organizations, and activity groups of every type imaginable with one goal in mind: making those of us from other lands who now live in The Netherlands "feel at home!" This is one of our favorite events - not only because we tend to run workshops and panels showcasing the work we do, but also because it give us the opportunity to meet directly with the international community that we serve. And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the show went on as planned thanks to The Hague Online's hard work in putting together a wonderful online program of virtual panels, workshops, and information booths. Despite the limitations, things really went off without a hitch; we were not only able to offer an informative panel on volunteering, we also participated in the fair's Work & Career Program and were also able to chat directly with attendees in our very own virtual booth! Our panel titled " No Dutch? No Problem - Volunteer! " was hosted by VTH's very own project manager Tetyana Benzoural. Tetyana was joined by Deborah Valentine, executive director of Access , as well as local professional speaker Cathy Delhante, who also founded one of our favorite local organizations, Wool for Warmth . Together, they discussed the importance of internationals stepping up to volunteer here in the Netherlands, as well as the many benefits - not only the benefits for our local community, but also for the international volunteers themselves. Later in the program, Tetyana was also joined by Ali Ayoub and Rodica Malancea, two local internationals with extensive volunteering experience here in The Netherlands. They answered questions about volunteering and spoke about the many fringe benefits they gained during their time as volunteers at various organizations - from expanding their support networks, broadening their CV and job skills, and giving back to causes they care about in the community. There were some great conversations during this panel, so for those of you who weren't able to make the fair, we hope you'll take a look at the video of the full program, which you can find below. We want to thank Deborah, Cathy, Ali, and Rodica, as well as all of those who attended the fair and joined us in our virtual booth! We had a fantastic time once again this year, and we're very much looking forward to participating again in 2022!