Expatriates Meet in Amsterdam!

Sunday's visit to the Expat Expo in Amsterdam, was a tremendous chance for students to learn about what things need to be considered when living and working in another country, in this case, the Netherlands. About 25 students went to the Expo, and talked to people representing Job Recruitment agencies, Business Schools and Universities, International Schools, both for younger and older children, as well as representatives of many organisations supporting the Expat community in the Netherlands.

Also at the Expat Expo were Housing Agencies, selling mortgages, housing and assisting in renting out accommodation for Expats, Tax advisors, legal advisors, and immigration lawyers, on hand to advise Expats about their legal status. There was a great deal of information on hand regarding the legal status of Expats in the Netherlands, including information on the (semi) residential tax status, including the 30% rule, new job possibilities for non-europeans (new laws making it easier for people who earn more than aprox 2500 euro per month to work in the Netherlands), information about starting companies and businesses in the Netherlands, and about employment law here.

Many of us visiting the Expat expo had a sense of well-being, in an environment of English speakers, of all nationalities, many with similar backgrounds, and all of us living and working (or studying) in a foreign country. For all of us who made the effort it really was worth the while. See Paul's online pictures here!

N.B We all regretted the absence of the students who had signed up, but didn't go. Because of these students wasting time and money by not turning up, Wittenborg will later have to bring in new regulations for the registering for excursions, which will make it a little less formal. You will be told about these new regulations as soon as possible, before the next big excursion.