Connect International serves the international community in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.

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Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.

ConnectingWorlds

Connect International would like to welcome the following new members: Stefani Nellen,Silvia Lui,Adeline Chipaux,Terrin Tamati,Nawal El Boghdady,Claire Utrecht,Keenan Pritchard,Leopoldo Zanardo

Welcome New Members!Serv ices :

Jo in Us !You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.

Visit: www.connect-int.org

● Immigration services● Home search & set-up● Social events, activities & clubs● Career services● Business events● Books & guides● Information sheets● Knowledge database

Contact : Publ ica t ion Team:Connect International office:Gedemte Zuiderdiep 98, GroningenPostbus 16, 9700 AA GroningenTelephone: 050 7440087Email: info@connect-int.orgWebsite: www.connect-int.org

Publisher: Stephanie Fermor-PoortmanAssistant Editor: Margaret MetsalaContributers to this issue: Stephanie Fermor-Poortman, Tomas Poortman, Alexandra van den Doel, Milena Stanojevic, Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney.

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Connecting Worlds

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JanuaryCalendar

January 2015

Primary Education & Secondary Education SchoolsBasisonderwijs & Voortgezet onderwijs

North Netherlands 20 Dec 2014 t/m 4 Jan 2015 Week 52 t/m 1

Mid-Netherlands 20 Dec 2014 t/m 4 Jan 2015 Week 52 t/m 1

South Netherlands 20 Dec 2014 t/m 4 Jan 2015 Week 52 t/m 1

School Winter Holiday Dates

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JanuaryEvents

Parents Coffee TimeDate: 6 January 2015, 10:30 hrs

Parents Coffee TimeDate: 20 January 2015, 10:30 hrs

International Coffee Morning GroningenDate: 23 January 2015, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Beads Embroidery WorkshopDate: 25 January 2015

Parents Coffee TimeDate: 27 January 2015, 10:30 hrs

Coffee in LeeuwardenDate: 30 January 2015, 10:30 hrs

Parents Coffee TimeDate: 3 February 2015, 10:30 hrs

Writer's CircleDate: 4 February 2015

International Coffee Morning GroningenDate: 6 February 2015, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Upcoming Events in Groningen, Friesland & Drenthe

Writer's CircleDate: 7 January 2015

International Coffee Morning GroningenDate: 9 January 2015, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Beading for CharityDate: 12 January 2015

Parents Coffee TimeDate: 13 January 2015, 10:30 hrs

Coffee in LeeuwardenDate: 16 January 2015, 10:30 hrs

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InformationCenter

by Tomas Poortman

What phenomenon happens -on average- only once every 7 years, has not happened in the last 17 years (it might happen this coming winter after all!) and drives Dutch people hysterical when there’s only a glimpse of hope that it could possibly occur?

Elfstedentocht

province where they speak a language even most Dutch people do not understand) and, as the name suggests, it is a tour that passes eleven Frysian ‘cities’ (villages, more like; most are called cities only because they received city rights a long time ago). The total length of the tour varies every time, but is usually about ten kilometres short of 200 kilometres. Oh, and the entire track is to be covered on ice skates, on natural ice, on canals, streams, rivers and lakes. Madness you say? Nay, Frysians.

How, what, why? Well, long before there were cars and bicycles, Frysians that wanted to travel across Friesland

If the answer wasn’t in the title of this article, it would probably be a moderately difficult riddle to solve; especially for expats! It is of course the typically Dutch Frysian “Elfstedentocht” (freely translated: eleven city tour). Then again, now that you have had the time to think about it, you may remember the media hyping over the possibility of an Elfstedentocht happening back in February 2012.

Granted, it has been a while since the last Elfstedentocht. But, considering that most young adults could just about walk – let alone skate – when the tour was last held and the fact that only 16,000 people, all of whom are members of a semi-elite club, are allowed to enter the tour, it remains remarkable that the discussion in February 2012, on whether or not the Dutch were to witness another Elfstedentocht, almost resulted in a national riot.

So what is the Elfstedentocht really about, exactly? The Elfstedentocht is held in Friesland (that Dutch

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InformationCenter

And it has been 17 years since the last one. The biggest gap between tours was 22 years, though, so there’s still hope, right?

The reason there have been so few tours is that there are certain (safety) conditions that have to be met: the ice has to be at least 15 cm thick along the entire track of the tour. In addition, all “Rayonhoofden” (22 Elfstedentocht- district heads) have to give their consent, which they do not do lightly, as they are basically held responsible for the ice in their district, so they must

in winter and arrive before that winter was over really only had two options: either travel by horse or by ice skates. And since horses cost a lot of money, most ‘opted’ to skate. But do not be mistaken: it was tough going. So if you weren’t tough enough to skate and had no money, you had to either get tougher or make money. Naturally, the thing to then do is to challenge the tough people to a bet they can’t possibly win: to skate past all Frysian cities in one day. As they had no chance of making it, you were sure to get a good payday and buy that horse you’ve been craving.

I must be joking, right? Actually, no. There’s a source dating as far back as 1749 that makes mention of a man named Pier who passed by eleven Frysian cities on skates, in one day. Later, in 1890, someone named Pim Mulier decided to also try skating past eleven Frysian cities. Some years later he played an important part in founding the organization that organized the first Elfstedentocht in 1909, and the winner of the Elfstedentocht receives the Pim Mulier-trophy to this day (well, 17 years ago, really).

Which brings us back to the riddle at the start of this article: the Elfstedentocht really only took place fifteen times in the past 115 years.

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InformationCenter

also factor in things like the weather forecast for the day of the tour.

But even when those conditions are met, there remain parts of the track that have thinner ice, for example under bridges. Those areas of the tour the skaters have to cover while ‘walking’ on

their skates, in Dutch called “klunen”.

Below you can see the track of the Elfstedentocht from 1997. The eleven ‘cities’ are: Leeuwarden, Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker and Dokkum.

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InformationCenter

LocalBusinesses

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SoundSupplyby Alexandra van den Doel

Ger Wolthuis and I met in his recording studio in central Groningen. A lot of electronic equipment, a huge computer screen and a small recording cabin are his domain.

Ger started life as a classical percussionist attending the Prince Claus Conservatoire here in Groningen after having been an enthusiastic drummer as a boy.

Whilst still a student, he was asked to provide some music for an advertising campaign for C&A and a career and a company were born.

Ger completed his degree and

SoundSupply. The exhibition, including the audio tour was a success and word soon spread that Ger was the “go-to guy”.

Now, no self-respecting museum is without an audio tour and Ger has clients in the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Germany and Britain, as the business as a whole, as well as Ger’s part in it ameliorates.

The voices for these audio tours are chosen from Ger’s database and he is

until recently has worked on and off as a percussionist in bands, orchestras and as a teacher, whilst building his business.

Initially he provided recordings of cover music and original compositions for films, documentaries and corporate films, building his client base by cold calling and word of mouth.

At the end of the nineties, the Groninger Museum moved into a new building and just before they moved there was a large exhibition on Indonesia which, quite new for the time, had an audio tour as a component. This was provided by

Since 2000, Ger also runs a second business: EARZ. This is a web-based teaching aid for music schools and music teachers to support their pupils with developing their “ear” for music and learning music. It also has a built-in system for tracking students’ progress, which helps the teachers in developing suitable individual programmes. Ger hopes to expand this side of the business, by building an App and selling the programme abroad.

LocalBusinesses

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Back to the core business though: if you enjoy telling a story in your mother-tongue and are here for an extended period (students need not apply) and would like the opportunity to make some money if a museum picks your voice, why not get in touch with Ger to set up an audio test at his studio (and again: men are particularly welcome!).

Ger can be contacted at ger@soundsupply.nl

always on the lookout for new voices, especially men. So what does it take to become one of Ger’s voices? It is not necessarily about having a beautiful speaking voice, but more about being fluent and comfortable in your mother tongue. Being able to read fluently and interpret the text as well as being able to tell a story with your voice are imperative. The only cue the museum tour visitor has is the voice. There is no body language or facial expression, so the voice must do the work. And last but not least, one needs the ability to be able to listen to direction.

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Your Stories

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Having a baby in the Netherlandsby Milena Stanojevic

Last month we shared three new moms’ experiences of being pregnant here in the Netherlands. This month they are sharing stories about the care they received following their new arrival.

No matter what your delivery was like, the best part starts once you have your baby in your arms. And then, when you think it is all overwhelming and you wish your mom was there, this is the moment when SHE comes, the kraamverzorgster (maternity nurse).

When you deliver, the kraamver- zorgster comes to your home for a week or so to help with the newborn. This is an amazing help and it is paid for by your health insurance (some cover the full cost, others the majority; check with your health insurer for details). She helps with advice on breastfeeding, bathing the baby, does cooking and cleaning, picks up your birth announcement cards, etc; she does it all, so you can relax and enjoy your baby. And do not worry; you picked the right country to give birth in. Surveys by the United Nations show that Dutch children are among the happiest in the world.

Read on to learn about the experience of three expat mothers who have recently given birth in Groningen. And if you have more questions please visit our Parents coffee morning to chat with other expecting and new mums.

Molly and Mia shared what it was like in the first few weeks after the delivery:Molly, (age 27, American)“It was difficult for me the first week or two since I was recovering after having a C-section, but overall the first weeks after the baby was born went really smoothly. We had the kraamzorgster, a nurse who comes to your house after the baby is born, for about 4 days. (The average time is usually about 8 days, but we were in the hospital the first few days.) I was unsure about whether I would like having someone at our house straight after the baby was born, but it was so nice to have her! She was a huge help with everything from giving advice on taking care of the baby to cleaning up and doing our laundry. It takes some time getting used to having a new baby, so having that extra help makes a big difference in those first few days. My sister also stayed with us for a week, and it was really nice to have family here. Someone from the consultatie- bureau also comes to your house for the first two appointments, and your midwife also comes to check on you. This was great, because we didn't want to worry about going out for our appointments in those first two weeks”.

Your Stories

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Marja (age 30, Slovenian)“I haven't had a baby elsewhere but what I enjoyed is that you get Kraamzorg at home instead of staying in the hospital the first couple of days. Of course it makes a big difference not having your family around. On the one hand you miss this but at the same time it gives you the possibility to look outside the box of your culture and decide how you want to do certain things instead of blindly following what your family believe is good. The negative side was all the paperwork that you have to arrange if you want your child to also have your nationality.”

Mia (age 40, Croatian)“The only downside of having a baby in the Netherlands was a lack of choice. What if I was more scared, more worried?! I would love to have seen more options, such as to arrange for a private gynecologist appointment if you wish for it, for example if you miss your appointment for an echo (that actually happened to me), or if you ever feel scared. But that is not a part of Dutch mentality it seems...”

And at the end, some advise for the future mothers:Molly, (age 27, American)“Don't be nervous about having your baby here! Sometimes you need to be direct about your wishes, but your

Mia (age 40, Croatian)“Postnatal experience was just more of the same: they ask you how you feel. I didn't even go for the 6 weeks check-up, because I saw no point in again answering the same question. I actually would like them to check for themselves how things are, not just ask me!”

What was the biggest difference in having a baby in the Netherlands compared to your home country?Molly, (age 27, American)“The kraamzorg is one of the major differences. In the US you usually stay in the hospital for a couple of days and then you go home and take care of the baby on your own. We loved the kraamzorg, so that was a big bonus of having our baby here. Having appointments with a midwife rather than your GP or gynecologist is another difference. You don't usually go to just a midwife in the US, and that was kind of hard to get used to. Even though we were happy with our care, sometimes we were wondering if we were getting enough checks (since it seems like you have more exams in the US). Having a midwife wasn't really a negative thing, it was just different than what I experienced with friends/family in the US who've had babies.”

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Your Stories

experience can usually go how you want it to. For example: our doctor gave us the options of having a natural or Cesarean birth since our baby was breech, but she didn't really want to recommend one way over the other (it seems like they want you to decide everything for yourself, without swaying your opinion). At first this made us a little unsure, since we felt like as a doctor she should be telling us which option was better or safer. In the end though, she was very supportive about our decision and we felt like we were in control of how it went. Just make sure

also have affinity with this. It is also important that the midwife speaks good English so that you are able to communicate well with her during birth.”

you speak up, and don't be afraid to say exactly what you want or question something that seems strange to you. Also, enjoy the kraamzorg while you have it and don't feel bad about taking all the extra help you can get! ”

Marja (age 30, Slovenian)“I believe it is important to find a Verloskundigepraktijk (the midwife practice) that suits your expectations and preferences. For instance, if you are looking for a personal approach and you want to build a relationship with your midwife, you should choose a practice with one or a few (not more than 3) midwifes. If you would like to give birth at home or in water then you should look for midwifes that

New Year's resolutions

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LifeExperience

by Stephanie Fermor-Poortman

As 2015 rolls in, I can't help but find myself thinking about all the things I want to achieve in the coming 365 days. As usual my list is a bit of a rehash of last year, each year I mark off something and any improvement is better than none! So here is my list, maybe some of these will inspire you too.

English television shows. I think adding some Dutch news, or just Dutch shows will help me improve my understanding of Dutch.

5. Cook something typical DutchThis one is something I can't avoid. My husband is Dutch and one of his favourite meals is stamppot (maybe you know it, mashed potatoe with some green leafy veg thrown in and a sausage on top, eww). Well my natural distaste of the dish has put me off making it, and I always sent him to his parents house to eat it, but this year maybe I will try to cook it for him once, and I will eat baked beans on toast (which I love!)

Even if you only make one resolution this year (which may be easier to stick to), hopefully you will be able achieve them and enjoy your time here in the Netherlands.

1. Speak more DutchIn 2014 I passed my NT2 exam, a huge milestone in the learning of the Dutch language, but now that I passed that exam, my Dutch classes have ended and I find myself getting rusty! So for 2015 I will speak more Dutch with people, and in doing so hopefully keep improving my Dutch.

2. See more of the NetherlandsEach year I try to visit at least one new city or place in the Netherlands. For 3 years I never saw anything but Groningen and the inside of Schiphol airport. I still have only visited a handful of places and this year I will add 1 or 2 new places to that list. I think this year maybe somewhere to the middle of the Netherlands, Utrecht perhaps?

3. Make some Dutch friendsIt is all nice having English speaking friends; I love when I can make it to the Connect coffee morning, but it would be nice to make some Dutch friends too (and also help with the resolution).

4. Watch more Dutch TVNot your usual new year resolution, but I find myself always watching BBC or

Food for Thought

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Love Crockpot StyleBy Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney

Happy 2015 to YOU! What promise the next 365 days holds, a new canvas to fill with our hopes, goals, and visions. That is, once we’ve all recovered and caught up on clearing away the holiday debris, catching some sleep, and being creative with projects and activities indoors while winter settles in for a few months. Recently we were talking about our kitchens, what our favorite things are, and how to make the most of what we have. We held off sharing one of our very favorite appliances until now because, well, erhm, because we believe it really deserves a bit of hoopla & a grand introduction on its own. Without further ado, we’d like you to meet The Crockpot!

Are you surprised? How many of you have been thinking about the crockpot, purchasing one, but haven’t done anything about it yet? How many of you have one but don’t use it often (or at all)? Why is that? Yes, we know we’re in for a hard sell with some of you, and with some others, we can feel your heads nodding in agreement with us as you already know how clever it is to have this little beast as part of your repertoire of kitchen wizardry. The truth is, crockpots are a love it-or-hate it appliance, or what we affectionately call a beast. These beasts come in various sizes and shapes – therein lies

a problem: storage; simple or fancy brands with price ranges to fit your budget, and best of all – they do all the work for you while you are busy working, cleaning during the day, or sleeping through the night. If you can muster up storage space and find a great deal, we promise that a new pathway to easy, effortless and delicious meals has opened up for you.

Ok, we won’t trick you by saying that the crockpot does everything, but once you have done the prep work and assembled ingredients into the beast,

Food for Thought

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then the magic begins in earnest. Even better: you don’t even need to have a recipe to get things started. All you need is a nicely-stocked pantry and vegetable drawer, any meats of choice, water, herbs and spices and you’re set. There are a few tricks for doing it right and we’ll pass those along here. Regardless of the crockpot size, make sure to fill it one-half to two-thirds full with ingredients. This will ensure ample room for proper cooking time, addition of liquids, and breathing room for ingredients to marry well. All ingredients should be defrosted completely to ensure safe and

A fun winter activity to do with children is making pine cone bird feeders to hang outside and invite the birds over for a visit. Gather up pine cones outside on a nature walk with the kids, attach some string at the top to hang, spread peanut butter (or use suet – animal fat - if peanut allergies are a reality. You can ask at your butcher for suet, or check the pet shops.) all over the pine cone with a spatula, then roll in bird seed to cover. Hang up outside near a window to enjoy watching the birds when they come to feast.

Tip of the Month

thorough cooking. Fit the lid tightly to keep the heat within. Consciously layer ingredients! Place hearty vegetables on the bottom, then add meat (if using) so it isn’t overcooked. Add quick cooking ingredients such as pasta, rice, vegetables, dairy and fresh herbs in the last half hour. When all is ready, serve up & enjoy a great meal!

We truly believe that the crockpot is a blessing to have working in our kitchens year-round. There are so many nifty ways to use it, some we still have yet to try out ourselves but plan to do so over the next several months. To further inspire you, we’re including a few of our favorite links to crockpot goodness: www.365daysofcrockpot.comwww.savvyvegetarian.comwww.eatingwell.com

As always, we love to hear from you with questions, tips or compliments you have to share so feel free to drop us a line at CL.food4thought@gmail.com. Until next time, cheers from us!