Staff Mobility in The Hague, Netherlands
Oscar, Staff Mobility
My experience in finding the internship placement and applying
Finding a suitable language school or learning opportunity on site was initially more difficult than expected. Many offers were either very expensive, not flexible enough for such a short stay, or mainly consisted of individual lessons, which are also significantly more expensive. In the end, I found a very suitable option with the Dutch Language Café. They do not offer traditional language courses, but instead organize various events and meetings where people come together to speak and learn Dutch. After I got in touch with them, the organization and communication were very straightforward and open.
My experience in finding accommodation and traveling
Since the city is very international and many students and international professionals live there, there are quite a few short-term accommodation options, such as apartments or rooms through platforms like Airbnb. Nevertheless, it is advisable to book early, as good and affordable accommodation can fill up quickly.
Traveling from Germany was uncomplicated. Public transport within the Netherlands is very well organized. Trains run frequently and connect the larger cities quickly and efficiently. One particularly practical feature is the payment system used in public transport: you can simply check in and out with your bank card without having to buy a ticket in advance.
My tip:
Don’t just learn in the classroom, but use the language in everyday life.
My experience during this staff mobility
During my stay, I mainly took part in different language events at the Dutch Language Café. Unlike traditional language courses, the focus there is mainly on practical speaking and exchanging with other people. At these meetings, Dutch is usually spoken most of the time. English is only used if something is not understood.
I really liked this approach because it allows you to learn the language in a very natural way through conversation. You quickly get into discussions with other people and can apply what you have learned directly. In my experience, this helps you learn particularly quickly because you constantly have to actively speak and listen. At the same time, this way of learning also provides many insights into Dutch culture and everyday life.
My experience with everyday life and leisure activities
There was also time to explore The Hague and the surrounding area. The city is very international and offers many cultural opportunities. For me personally, the proximity to the sea was particularly nice. Other cities can also be visited easily and quickly. In everyday life, the strong bicycle culture is also very noticeable, and the infrastructure for cycling is extremely well developed.
My conclusion & tips
Overall, my stay in The Hague was a very positive experience. What was especially valuable for me was the opportunity to improve my language skills in a natural environment while also getting to know another country and its culture better.
One challenge can be the relatively high cost of living, especially for accommodation and sometimes also for food.
My advice for future participants is to start looking early for suitable language learning opportunities and also consider alternative formats such as language cafés or language meetups. It is also worth taking the opportunity to visit other cities in the Netherlands and explore the country beyond the learning program.
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