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Expaterience host Nuthan Manohar and 4 guest expat experts talking about dealing with Dutch winter

How volunteering can help internationals beat the Dutch winter slump

Tetyana Benzeroual, Project Lead of Volunteer The Hague and Den Haag Doet at PEP Den Haag, was part of an expert panel for Episode #05: Solving the Housing Crisis & How to Survive Dutch Winters of the Expaterience talk show on November 22, 2025. Nuthan Manohar, the Expaterience host for the segment about how to survive Dutch winters, revealed that she joined the Expaterience team after attending a Volunteer The Hague volunteer fair and that she can really attest to the benefits of volunteering. Together with her four guests, she discusses the challenges faced by internationals who are dealing with their first few Dutch winters. Together they share clear and easy to implement recommendations on how to adjust to, and even embrace, Dutch winters with their rainy days with limited daylight. Tetyana talks about how volunteering during the darker months is a great way to feel better, by meeting new people and focusing on tasks and causes that motivate you. Tetyana explains that Volunteer The Hague serves as a bridge between local organizations and internationals in the greater The Hague area. This connection helps internationals find their way in the Netherlands and make it their new home. Volunteer The Hague’s data shows that engagement on their online platform hits a low in the summer and that it is at its highest in September. When volunteers have children and come back from their summer holiday break, they realize that the new academic year is about to start, and they wonder how to occupy their time if they are not employed. Most of international volunteers are internationals looking to fill a gap on their CVs while looking for a job. If they are not looking for a new job, they want to do something to give back to the community. They want to engage more with the local community and practice their language skills. People volunteer for many reasons, but for the majority of volunteers they just want to be useful. When daytime gets shorter, especially in October and November, people want to engage and not only stay at home and only interact with their family. Show host, Nuthan Manohar adds that research demonstrates that people who volunteer are happier, mentally more resilient and even more resilient to diseases, with a sweet spot of 3 hours of volunteering a week. She states that she was impressed by the high variety of showcased organizations and volunteer roles at VTH events. She comments that sometimes at work you don’t get to work on things that you really care about whereas when you volunteer you do. Tetyana illustrates how Volunteer The Hague provides a platform for organizations looking for volunteers, for example when Expaterience was launched and needed volunteers. VTH helped them think about the volunteer vacancies they could create. A number of volunteers applied online and at one of their in-person events they recruited volunteers to make the concept of Expaterience a dream come true. She names another example by saying that recently the international film festival took place in The Hague and all their 20 volunteers were found through the Volunteer The Hague platform. Tetyana encourages internationals to check out the VHT website at www.volunteerthehague as vacancies regularly get filled but get replaced by others. Once people apply, they should follow up and call the organizations, just like for a job search. An interview will take place, as even volunteer roles can be a competitive process. International volunteers are always surprised to be invited to meetings and organization events and that their opinions are listened to. Tetyana announces Volunteer The Hague’s Mix & Match Volunteer Job Fair on Saturday, 29 November, 2025 between 11.00 am and 3.30 pm at the Social Hub The Hague. She adds that another guest on the show, psychologist Vassia Sarantopoulou, will be one of the speakers during the event, her presentation will be about making a different kind of new year resolutions. You can register for the event on our website at to mix and mingle with organizations and for up to 4 great presentations at https://www.volunteerthehague.nl/o/Volunteer-The-Hague/opportunities/Mix--Match-Volunteer-Job-Fair/104617 The entire Expaterience talk show episode full of practical tips by housing, mental health, HR, entrepreneurship and volunteer work experts can be watched below.
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How to Prepare for a Volunteer Role Interview Photo credit Resume Genius on Unsplash

How to Prepare for a Volunteer Role Interview

You have applied to a volunteer vacancy and are now invited for an interview by the organization of your choice. How can you prepare for this conversation so that their expectations become clear and that you can assess whether the role is suitable for you? Whether your interview is online or at the non-profit premises, expect the same dress code as for a regular Dutch job interview. Unless you are applying for a board position, you are not expected to wear a suit. The Dutch use the following expression about volunteer work (vrij means free in Dutch) with the word free , it is "vrijwillig maar niet vrijblijvend." This means that it is voluntary unpaid work, but it does require commitment and a sense of responsibility. They cannot assist their participants without reliable and competent volunteers. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the organization’s mission, which should be published on their website. Visit their social media accounts. Non-profit websites can be outdated, so you are more likely to find out their latest campaigns and programmes on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. A recent picture on their account may inspire you to ask a relevant question during the interview and gauge the amount of ‘gezelligheid’ (conviviality) during their events. The volunteer manager will tell you all about their mission and the tasks you would perform but they will also expect you to ask some questions. If they state that this role involves 4 hours of your time per month, you could inquire whether this would be on a set day during the week, or at the weekend or in the evening. Finding out what a typical volunteer shift looks like for a volunteer in this role will help you imagine yourself in the role and decide whether it is for you. You might also be curious about who is going to be supervising you and supporting you. It is also normal to ask whether they cover travel costs for certain activities. If you receive any social benefits, be sure to ask consent from your UWV advisor before accepting a volunteer role. handshake during interview Photo credit Mina Rad on Unsplash Photo credit: Mina Rad on Unsplash If you already feel like you are very interested, you could ask whether there are any special days in the year that you should already mark in your agenda. For example, cities often organize a yearly volunteer thank you event, which is full of entertainment and nice attentions for people who donate their time and expertise. If you want to have a general impact on the organization you can also ask what their most urgent needs are and what challenges they face right now, this way you can connect them if you know of others who may have some resources, expertise or funds that could help the organization thrive beyond your particular role. In a nutshell, treat your volunteer role interview seriously, find out about the tasks and necessary availability, the organization’s culture and if you are convinced this is a good match demonstrate that you are ready to be an asset and an ally to your interviewer. A good volunteer opportunity is a win-win situation for you as a volunteer and the organization who wants to recruit you, not measured in money but in personal and professional growth in your new country. Visit the Volunteer The Hague's volunteer vacancy search page and apply for a volunteer role today!
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Did you know that the Municipality of The Hague hosts over 135,000 volunteers? In every corner of every neighborhood, there are people who volunteer for a more healthy, involved, and caring city. We at Volunteer the Hague are so proud of all of the international volunteers included in this number, as they never let the difficulty of a new environment get in their way of giving back! As a token of gratitude for their dedication, the Municipality of The Hague offers a yearly appreciation gift to all volunteers who meet the criteria below. Who can apply You live in Zuid-Holland. You have been volunteering for at least 3 months for an organization in The Hague. You are 13 years or older. How it works You can apply online by filling in a short form. Within 4 weeks, you’ll receive an email with instructions to log in to a webshop, where you can choose your own gift card from over 100 options. Why a gift card? The gift card allows every volunteer to pick something that truly fits them: a small gesture to say thank you for your time, energy, and commitment to making The Hague a better place for everyone.

Recognizing Your Impact: The Hague’s Gift for Volunteers

Did you know that the Municipality of The Hague hosts over 135,000 volunteers? In every corner of every neighborhood, there are people who volunteer for a more healthy, involved, and caring city. We at Volunteer the Hague are so proud of all of the international volunteers included in this number, as they never let the difficulty of a new environment get in their way of giving back! As a token of gratitude for their dedication, the Municipality of The Hague offers a yearly appreciation gift to all volunteers who meet the criteria below. Who can apply You live in Zuid-Holland. You have been volunteering for at least 3 months for an organization in The Hague. You are 13 years or older. How it works You can apply online by filling in a short form. Within 4 weeks, you’ll receive an email with instructions to log in to a webshop, where you can choose your own gift card from over 100 options. Why a gift card? The gift card allows every volunteer to pick something that truly fits them: a small gesture to say thank you for your time, energy, and commitment to making The Hague a better place for everyone.
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For those of us in the volunteer promotion community, this week is very special: Monday, 5 December is International Volunteer Day and Wednesday 7 December is National Volunteer Day in the Netherlands! These are days of recognition for all of the important work done by thousands of volunteers here and worldwide - and in every imaginable field. Volunteering isn't just an activity that makes a difference in the community and in the lives of others - this act of kindness can also help the one volunteering, whether it be by gaining new skills, a sense of purpose, or simply the satisfaction of having helped others. According to Time Bank, 84% of HR and recruiting professionals agree that volunteering is a great way to help people find work, with an astounding 80% of employers saying that they regard volunteering positively on a potential employee's CV. Whether it's helping to combat depression, learning to engage with new communities, or improving health and fitness, volunteering can also benefit one's physical and mental health and wellbeing. We at Volunteer The Hague understand the important benefits of volunteering - especially for internationals just moving to a new country. No matter the stage in your moving process, volunteering can be a great asset to help you get settled. This is why Volunteer the Hague connects internationals with meaningful volunteer opportunities at local non-profit organizations, free of charge. The Hague is a place where all nationalities come together, forming a multicultural society. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between internationals who may not know where to start on their volunteering journey in a new country, and nonprofits who are searching for internationals to help aid in their inspiring missions. Together, we can empower people to change the world from the grassroots up, especially when enabled by partnerships between local internationals and local nonprofit organizations. To all of the fantastic volunteers in our community, we want to send a big THANK YOU and hope you continue your volunteer journeys in 2023!

Let's celebrate National AND International Volunteer Days this December!

For those of us in the volunteer promotion community, this week is very special: Monday, 5 December is International Volunteer Day and Wednesday 7 December is National Volunteer Day in the Netherlands! These are days of recognition for all of the important work done by thousands of volunteers here and worldwide - and in every imaginable field. Volunteering isn't just an activity that makes a difference in the community and in the lives of others - this act of kindness can also help the one volunteering, whether it be by gaining new skills, a sense of purpose, or simply the satisfaction of having helped others. According to Time Bank, 84% of HR and recruiting professionals agree that volunteering is a great way to help people find work, with an astounding 80% of employers saying that they regard volunteering positively on a potential employee's CV. Whether it's helping to combat depression, learning to engage with new communities, or improving health and fitness, volunteering can also benefit one's physical and mental health and wellbeing. We at Volunteer The Hague understand the important benefits of volunteering - especially for internationals just moving to a new country. No matter the stage in your moving process, volunteering can be a great asset to help you get settled. This is why Volunteer the Hague connects internationals with meaningful volunteer opportunities at local non-profit organizations, free of charge. The Hague is a place where all nationalities come together, forming a multicultural society. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between internationals who may not know where to start on their volunteering journey in a new country, and nonprofits who are searching for internationals to help aid in their inspiring missions. Together, we can empower people to change the world from the grassroots up, especially when enabled by partnerships between local internationals and local nonprofit organizations. To all of the fantastic volunteers in our community, we want to send a big THANK YOU and hope you continue your volunteer journeys in 2023!
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