Dutch Culture Decoded: Navigating Windmills, Bitterballen, and Directness!

Did you ever find yourself too caught up in the differences between you and people from other cultures? As internationals, sometimes we find it difficult to associate with the local Dutch community. Subconsciously, we alienate ourselves from this culture that is “quite difficult” to understand. Conversely, some Dutch look at the international community and might not relate to how challenging it can be for internationals to live and find happiness in The Netherlands.

In this workshop, you will discover:

• How to bridge the familiar (your culture) with the unfamiliar (not your culture);

• What - below the surface of society - the subconscious part of culture is;

• How to explore your own very personal way to connect;

• How volunteering is a great opportunity to connect with other cultures.

This workshop is part of the supersized Mix & Match Volunteer Job Fair titled "Together at Home" held on May 11 alongside three more workshops: "Hidden Gems of The Hague" by Harry Bogers, guide at Gilde Den Haag, "Building Bridges: How Volunteering Bridges the Gap to Career Success" by Tetyana Benzeroual, Project Lead at PEP Den Haag, and "Integrating Volunteering into your Job-Hunting Strategy" by Sarah Feid, an account manager at The Hague International Centre.

While event registration is not mandatory, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to secure your spot. Your registration not only helps us plan better but also ensures we can provide you with the best possible experience. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Together at Home Volunteer Job Fair!

About the Speaker: Gert-Jan Aleman has been the director of PEP Den Haag since the beginning of 2023. Previously, Gert-Jan was manager of the Arbo Center of the Municipality of The Hague, where in 2016 he won a national prize as Vitality Manager of The Year. He passionately continues this line of work at PEP, aiming to enhance the vitality of The Hague's social organizations and contribute to a city where everyone can participate. Gert-Jan will offer an opening speech at the event on behalf of PEP Den Haag, Volunteer The Hague's parent organization.