Blog Posts

On hearing this somewhat strange noise for the first time, a couple of weeks after moving to the Netherlands, I was quite confused and totally petrified! Especially given the fact that no one, at any point, had mentioned it. Let alone what it was for or what it was about! I mean, you’d think my

A new job, a new country, a new start… One of the main aspects of moving to the Netherlands and making a fresh start, as well as a different experience, was to change some of my lifestyle habits. In fact, I was actually looking forward to embracing a healthier lifestyle and habits in Holland! Ok,

I’ve been teaching for a few years now, so it’s safe to say that in those years I’ve attended my fair share of staff meetings. I have also experienced these regular meetings, which occur weekly or twice weekly on occasion, in three different countries now. I’ve found that they don’t seem to differ that much

Feeling contented… It’s been a little while now since I moved into my new apartment. Having a place to call home has really helped make me feel more settled and contented living here. Living in a hotel for the first few weeks was really starting to take its toll. Hotels are great, but they’re really

As we get further into the school year, I’m feeling more settled and happy in my new job and my new home. It’s all quirky characters, still finding my feet and a few Dutch traditions! It’s lovely and interesting getting to know my class and watching them grow as the year progresses. I’m making new

Getting health insurance… Since moving to the Netherlands, I have taken the necessary steps to ensure I have the necessary health insurance. Something that I wanted to get done straight away! Mainly because it’s yet something else ticked off my long list of things to do here. I just want things like that out of

So, how can I sum up the first school trip in my new job and newfound country? A bundle of nerves with a bit of local history thrown in! Somehow survived my first school trip in the Netherlands… I think! Feeling all prepared and organised beforehand… It had all started off so well with the

After weeks of saying I’m going to do it, I’ve finally gotten on my bike – with a little help from a colleague! I am finally attempting to ride my bicycle! So, one Friday afternoon at work, just as we’d seen the children off for the end of the week, one of my colleagues appears

It’s been roughly a month now since I moved here to start my new job. And as anyone who’s moved to another country knows, it takes a while to find your feet. But I’m slowly getting there. I feel more comfortable and at ease than I did a month ago, at least! At the moment,

The art of making new friends when you’re a second-time expat is daunting and never going to be plane sailing! Being an introvert, making new friends hasn’t always been my strong point! Having said that, I do have some strong friendship groups from where I grew up, university and work. Although we don’t get to