1. How are Indians treated in Netherlands?

    El-Demouhi
    4
    Netherlands, has a majority of Indians, but it also has many, I mean a lot people from Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam…). No doubt majority of Indians, work either in Technology domain with subdomains Automative, Industry, ..so on.. There were some points which struck me, and blew my bubble: • They have no idea, who is the leader in India. I was surprised, as we Indians, think that our Leader, is touring the world, and people know him globally. • They also question, about our Leader and his Educational Qualifications, as people here really value Educational contributions. Manmohan Singh, is famous here, because of Scholarship named after him. • They know Indians, cook spicy food, and even complain the irritating smell of curries (I even ask them what makes them like Chinese and how they see our chilly, spicy food as a bit complaining) • Most of them, ask me “where is that mark on your head?”, they refer to tika mark, which people from South India have on their forhead. Infact they expected me to be a bit pale in skin color, and confuse me with other nations identity. I take huge pride in telling them the diveristy we Indians have, and even told them you cannot predict someone from Assam, Sikkim.., coming here and loking an Indian. • Indians, are considered intelligent, but not out of the box, as people here are pretty intelligent too, when it comes to skills. • Racism, is everywhere in the world, so there are always some exceptions even in the bestest of countries. (I hope you understand) Overall, I can say, only Indians treat each other differently (by rarely smiling when see each other walking in a different nation, very few smile, and even interact), but here people treat us like every other nation’s immigrant. No difference or special/proviledged treatment. Please smile and interact with elders, when you recognize them from India. It really makes them happy, if not, you paid respect and move on
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  2. What’s it like to live in the Netherlands?

    Amr Gamal
    3
    Grey and boring. This means: • no hot sun and also no strong rains/thunderstorms • no poverty and no rich • simple and modest • no big crying and no big laughing • no screaming (of happiness or of upsetness) • flat (no mountains, no up and downs, flat tastes) As a "latin" origin, I was used to big differences and the middle term still surprises me. It has advantages and disadvantages. It is a calmer life, no big risks, you usually know what you can count with. Though, sometimes is like a passion, and you may miss it, and you may feel like screaming very loud, or just missing the strong rain or the strong sun, or just laughing without a reason. Sometimes, holidays are enough ... maybe ... or if you know the other side, maybe one day, you just need to be at the sun all the time, if you were born used to that. I feel safe here, but I miss the Portuguese side. We can't have it all. UPDATE (Begin 2016): I am not at this moment "hispanic". I am still living in Europe (Netherlands). Though, we were going to move to Atlanta in May-2016 and I was looking schools for my small son and he would be hispanic there. I just mixed up. Me and my little son have darker hair, eyes, skin, ... a very "latin" look. So, I just corrected. UPDATE (April-2017): I returned to my home Country Portugal, mainly because my oldest son decided to return. By the way, I learned Dutch, I was the one teaching Dutch to my small son (now 8 years old) and I miss some things from the Netherlands. As I said above, we can´t have it all. Our home Country will be always our home, also. That makes a difference. Not for the language, but for the culture when you are raising children. Well, Lisbon is still Europe
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  3. How can I get PR in Netherlands?

    Ram
    -2

  4. How do I get a job in Netherlands for Indians?

    El-Demouhi
    2
    There is a considerable difference in chances for Indians living Netherlands vs Indians living in India presently on the chances of getting a job. That being said I know many people who have succeeded in both the journeys. All depends on how lady luck is smiling on you. • For Indians living in Netherlands already- Make a really good CV and cover letter. You must adjust the CV to each application. Read through the job description and try to guess what the job demands. Try to learn dutch. It takes a long time though. The rejections would be high but you’ll get the odd interview calls, there kill it with you charm. Go to various event fairs, recruitment agencies etc. They are helpful. Plus there are lots of other things which you’ll learn only when you are into the process. Remember finding a job is a job itself here. You need dedication and effort. • For Indians living in India - Find a way to come to Netherlands. IT services companies are good options. Go to the gym, beef up, add your good looks and charm and then find a dutch partner, :) So after you come here, go to the step For Indians living in Netherlands already. Still if you can’t come here - If you are highly skilled in some rare things which is difficult to find, look through linkedin and various job sites and they might just be looking for you, who nows!!! I know people who got directly employed from India. Keep persevering!!
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  5. What do you know about the Netherlands’ education system for expats?

    Fouad Badawy
    4
    You have various options. I live in The Hague as an expat, so my answer is based on that, but other major cities will have something similar, although probably less expat choice: • Send to a regular Dutch school. Your child will be taught in Dutch and have a good, Dutch education. Teachers will tolerate communicating with you in English. At the secondary school level, there are a few select schools for high achievers that will deliver a bilingual education (Dutch/English). Advantage is that normal Dutch education is free. The best choice if you plan on permanent immigration to the Netherlands or cannot afford the international system. • Send to a private national school. In and around The Hague there is the British School of The Netherlands (BSN), American School of The Hague (ASH), French School, German School, Indonesian School, etc. These will follow the relevant national syllabus and charge around Euro 15-20k per year in fees. Generally an excellent education with an international student community but largely monoculture teaching community, with overall school culture based on the national system. • Send to an International School. In The Hague there is the International School of The Hague (ISH) and the European School. These are private schools as well, but affiliated with a Dutch schools foundation so enjoy a 50% state subsidy of fees (so typically around €7000 per year). Very international environment with typically children and teachers from all over the planet, following the International Baccalaureat system. A very broadening experience for the children in this increasingly xenophobic world, and the one I would personally recommend - particularly given the cost advantage. My children have been through all three approaches (Dutch primary, ISH primary and secondary and BSN secondary) and all three were excellent. But my preference was the ISH - the international viewpoint, school culture, quality of education and community are superb. Hope this helps. You have plenty of options
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  6. What is it like to be an expat in the Netherlands?

    Abu Hashem
    1

  7. What is it like being an Indian in the Netherlands?

    Amr Gamal
    -2
    It is a complicated answer. Let me point out the differences- Governance - I find the people here politically more disinterested than India. They treat the govt as an isolated entity from themselves so their level of involvement is much lower than an average Indian. So I found that the govt works as an corporate entity, people pay them money and they deliver the services. Elections happen without much hue and cry or large events. You’ll find couple of advertisements here and there with some television shows and that’s about it. Taxation - It is notoriously high and also I find it highly inefficient in Netherlands. Personal income tax, high VAT, road tax etc. There is not much incentive nor options for personal savings. They even tax you for you savings and investments. It is always countered by saying that it has good social security - so essentially it encourages you to be overtly dependent on govt and it’s present day circumstances. Unlike, Asian countries where people build their own savings - that thing is very different in Netherlands. Quality of life- Much much better. Clean air, clean water, great solid waste management. Food in the supermarkets looks fresh and clean. Lot’s of green spaces around. Cars don’t honk nor belch black smoke fumes. Infrastructure - Superb. Very good roads. Trains, buses are clean and mostly punctual. Water gas electricity are always very reliable and stable. Mind it, it all comes at a very high cost, you need to pay road tax every month,petrol is the most expensive in the world I think with so many charges and surcharges and all that is quite a substantial amount. Trains, buses, taxis are much much more expensive than Asia. People - I think it is very difficult to break into the dutch society and even if you do you’ll find it difficult to connect with them. Their upbringing is much different from yours and you’ll find them not knowing much about the rest of the world. You need to put a lot of effort to get by with the dutch way of life, and it is entirely upto you whether you want to give that effort. If you don’t want to it shouldn’t be a problem as you’ll have an expat community in you same mother tongue where you’ll be absorbed easily. Racism - It exists, and it is covert in most cases. You can simply avoid them or be indifferent to them. I mean, if you develop this attitude like “who cares”? or “why give a damm”? I think it would make your stay way more enjoyable. Remember, Indians are very successful internationally because they know from the Mahabharata the difference between “karmabhoomi” and “janmabhoomi”. In your karmabhoomi you don’t need to absorb everything in it or adapt to it nor you need to participate in every aspect of the society. It is entirely upto you what you seek. There are lots of other things, but I think I’ll stop here now and maybe write at some other time
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