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
Learning Dutch
Do Expats Actually Need to Learn Dutch to Live in the Netherlands?
Do expats really need Dutch to live comfortably in the Netherlands? The honest answer: not to survive, but it changes daily life, and it is sometimes required.
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
Government & admin
Does the Gemeente Conduct Appointments in English?
Will the Dutch gemeente help you in English? Usually yes in big cities, but it varies. Here is what to expect, what stays in Dutch, and how to prepare.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Learning Dutch
How Closely Related Is Dutch to English? A Beginner's Guide
Dutch and English are close cousins, which makes Dutch one of the easier languages for English speakers. Here is what is familiar, and what still trips you up.
Lawrence Arya··4 min
Learning Dutch
How to learn Dutch when everyone around you speaks English
In the Netherlands and Flanders, people switch to English the moment they hear your accent. Here is how to practise Dutch anyway.
Lawrence Arya··6 min