Cities & regions
A University of Amsterdam Dutch Survival Dictionary
Studielink, tentamen, studievereniging, borrel: the Dutch words every international student at the University of Amsterdam needs, explained in plain English.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Learning Dutch in Amsterdam: Beyond Tourist-Speak
In Amsterdam everyone speaks English, so most expats stall at tourist-speak. Here is how to push past the switch and actually use Dutch in the city.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Cities & regions
King's Day: Sell Your Junk Like an Amsterdam Local
On King's Day anyone can sell anything on the street, no permit needed. Here is how the vrijmarkt works and the Dutch to run your own stall.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
How Much Dutch Do Utrecht Students Really Need?
Utrecht's universities teach in English, but daily student life does not. Here is exactly how much Dutch international students in Utrecht actually need.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Skip Textbook Dutch (ABN): What Amsterdam Sounds Like
Textbooks teach ABN, the polished standard Dutch. The street speaks faster, looser, and with an accent. Here is how to bridge the gap between the two.
Lawrence Arya··5 min
Cities & regions
Free Gemeente Dutch Courses Outside the Randstad
You do not need to be in Amsterdam to find free or subsidised Dutch lessons. Here is where to find gemeente-funded Dutch courses across the rest of the Netherlands.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Which Office Do You Need? Admin Dutch in Flanders
Moving to Flanders, not the Netherlands? The Dutch is the same, but the offices and admin words differ. Here is how to navigate Belgian bureaucracy.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Can You Survive in Amsterdam Without Speaking Dutch?
Can you live in Amsterdam without speaking Dutch? Yes, easily, thanks to world-leading English. But here is where it gets harder, and what little Dutch fixes.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Do Amsterdam Locals Appreciate It When Expats Speak Dutch?
Do Dutch people appreciate it when expats try to speak Dutch, or do they just switch to English? The honest answer, and how to make the effort land.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Do You Actually Need to Learn Dutch in Amsterdam?
Do you really need to learn Dutch to live in Amsterdam? The honest decision: when it is truly necessary, when it is optional, and the middle path most expats take.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Going on a Tinder Date in Amsterdam? 7 Distinctly Dutch Compliments
Dating in the Netherlands? Here are 7 compliments that land in Dutch, why Dutch directness changes the game, and how 'going Dutch' really works.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
Living Outside Amsterdam: Rotterdam and Eindhoven for Non-Dutch Speakers
How easy is life without Dutch in Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht, and The Hague? A realistic look at the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam for expats.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
10 Dutch Words That Make an Immediate Difference on Day One in Amsterdam
Just moved to Amsterdam? These 10 Dutch words make an immediate difference on day one, from paying and ordering to sounding a little less like a tourist.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Cities & regions
How to Order a Coffee or Beer in Amsterdam in Dutch
The proper way to order a coffee or beer in Amsterdam in Dutch: the phrases, the drink names, the beer sizes, and how to pay and tip like a local.
Lawrence Arya··4 min