Dutch Programs for Pregnant Women

Everywhere requires adjustment from the place before. Even though I find Amsterdam to be a pretty close ideological match to San Francisco there have obviously been several areas where I've gone from confusion, to learning, adjusting, and finally understanding; of course the Dutch method of dealing with Pregnancy is no exception.

First off, there is a huge push here for home births. Everyone is assigned a midwife, and I've heard of people having to switch midwifes simply because they were being overtly pressured away from their choice of hospital birth. As with many arguments, there is scientific evidence on both sides; but in this case, most people recognize the mothers comfort should override others ideals. Second off you have the government required home inspection and post care nurse. This sounds much more fascist than it is, it's actually quite wonderful and shows the level of importance put on the safety of the child. Some people think that this could be invasive, the government should be less involved, smaller, etc; but I think there is also evidence that people just can't always be trusted, whether it be due to ignorance or negligence having a nurse come to your house and inspect your preparedness isn't such a bad thing. After the birth another nurse (Kraamzorg) will be at the house for 8 days to help with light cleaning, cooking, teaching you how to bath and breastfeed, etc. Historically these tasks were cared to by family, but times have changed and many find their families further and further away.

The one thing that has made me feel the most at home (and at ease) was Pregnancy Yoga with Lillith Turk at the the Active Health Center. I'm a bit biased because I LOVE YOGA. The class I've been taking is in English and just lovely. It is the one thing that feels like home. The studio could be in California, Vermont, Venezuela, or Amsterdam. In the studio there is no discussion of which birth method is best, no pressure to adapt to a new system, no need to explain why you have chosen a different system; just neutral discussions, stretching, and relaxation.

I highly recommend this class/series to any English speaking expectant Mother in Amsterdam. Our class was full of women from all nationalities and Lillith welcomes new students to come for a free trial class :)

Enjoy!

Amsterdam Charm

I took this recently with Hipstamatic on my iPhone. Fun! Charming!!

More links for Amsterdam Expats

This is a swell updated guide for expats that my Venezuelan friend put together....there is some overlap with my previous list, and some more detail in areas I formerly left out...

Not only are these links for job seekers, there are also social groups, and other general living info. Coming up on my year anniversary of living abroad in Amsterdam, I can say that a lot of my expat friends needed a few years to settle in; and many of them ended up starting their own companies with much success. The global job climate has changed so much in the past decade. Many cultures are leaning more towards a localized workforce and I've had several friends tell me that although they were hired abroad 4-5 years ago, they are not sure they would have the same opportunities now.

Enjoy!

English Language Jobs
Undutchables
Netherlands Jobs 77
Xpats Jobs
Just Landed (Netherlands Jobs Link)
Via Via
Depart Jobs
Intermedriar Jobs
Together Abroad
Pay Scale
Times Jobs
Experteer International jobs
Work from home style jobs
Marketing jobs in English
Freelance Jobs in the Netherlands
More Freelance Jobs in the Netherlands
Bright Connect
Another Freelance Job site for the Netherlands

Common and most used agencies/websites:
Monsterboard
Unique
Undutchables
Jobs in Amsterdam
Expat Jobs
Michael Page (HUGE International Recruitment company...specializes in Financial sector)

List of job recruitment agencies:
I AMsterdam Job Recruitment page

General info (living, business, city, health, family, etc):
Expatica
Expatax
I AMsterdam


Success!

BEWARE: Import Tax and Shipping

Heed this warning! Whatever price is put on your incoming package for 'Insurance', will be the amount you are taxed on; about 19% import tax.

Example:

My Father recently shipped me my Ski Boots along with several 'Mr. Clean Magic Erasers' (which are amazing and unavailable in Holland). The boots are a few seasons old, well worn; the Magic Erasers were new and valued at about $8.00 total. The total value for Insurance was $300. We were taxed 54€. Even though the boots were not new and such, doesn't matter; they tax off of the insurance value on the package. This is on top of already paying $60.00 shipping, and will probably be the last time I receive items in this manner. Oddly we were not charged like this tax when I received my Christmas package, which had a higher value...Christmas items were sent via FedEx as gifts, and the recent items were sent via USPS as just a normal package. I'm still a bit confused by the whole thing.

When my man called to discuss this with the Postmaster, they said the worst is when people just blindly say the value is 1000€ and get charged exorbitantly, having only a couple hundred worth of items in the package. The tax can exceed the actual value of the package in this case, but there is no compromising. Whatever is listed as the Insurance value is taxed.

You have been warned!

oh those things...an introduction to the basics

as an expat in holland, the three most challenging things i've found are finding housing, employment, and learning the language. i find the other cultural differences, navigating everyday life, and basic shopping more enjoyable; rather than points of contention. also, i don't have children; so my basics are very much about me, me, me, me...and my partner :)

in my last post i mentioned how i initially tackled the language. the basics are quirky, but with proper attention i should be conversation ready in about six months. having said that, i know that mastering Dutch is a challenge i will be facing for many years to come. i'm very glad i got started as soon as possible. i didn't mention in my last post, but there was a guy in my beginners class who had been living here for 14 years and was just now taking a basic class (?!). tsk tsk.

i consider language one of the three basics. my other basic necessities are housing and employment. i'm sure i'm not alone here. at first i was tackling all of these in one day. a bit of housing search here, a job board there, rewriting/reviewing language class notes...i was so on edge that the smallest disappointment became a breaking point.

housing in Amsterdam is a funny thing. it's limited. the city council wants to keep it that way, which i like, to be honest. the fact that squatting was only outlawed (sort of) around june 2010 makes for an interesting variety of interiors throughout holland. most vacancies (te huur) seem to be rented quite quickly, even if they are substandard. the phrasing 'furnished' can mean anything from a heel gezellig home to a place filled with things that were definitely discarded by the neighbors.

the process of becoming employed has allowed for many learnings. my wonderful american resume that still attracts offers in san francisco was treated like a digital leper. initially my online applications would be swiftly returned and rejected, i doubt people ever read past the first line. they didn't know how to read it. a dutch cv looks nothing like an american resume. it took me awhile to accept that i'd have to rewrite my american resume, but once i did it there was an amazing weight lifted off my shoulders. i sent the new (expanded) dutch cv out as an re: to all those rejection emails and have had wonderful feedback. really really great. very happy.

beyond becoming employed, dutch work contracts are much different than those in america...and by different, i mean better. vacation days start at five weeks, and there is much more job security. the overall feeling is that the company is investing in you, and you in them. it's a good feeling.

in future posts i will get deeper into the details of these subjects, and will solicit other expats to share their stories.