Meet the Dutch – Event Recap
Earlier this month, Studium Generale Groningen hosted its ‘Meet the Dutch’ Kenniscafé, where our Operations Manager, Karen Prowse, participated on the panel discussion and shared insights on how IWCN’s services help internationals adjust to life in the North. It was a thought-provoking session that showcased the importance of community and inclusivity. We’ve put together a short recap of the key takeaways from the discussion.
Moderated by Meriam Tuinhof, the panel featured three distinguished guests: Joana Duarte, Professor of Educational Sciences at the University of Groningen, Sven Gins, a cultural historian, and Karen Prowse, Operations Manager at the International Welcome Center North (IWCN). Each panelist shared their experiences of living in the Netherlands and explored Dutch customs and culture.
Karen Prowse began by explaining the wide array of services the IWCN offers to support internationals living, working, and studying in the Netherlands, covering everything from practical formalities to engaging integration events. She emphasized how the IWCN helps individuals from the trivial to the more serious challenges they may face during their transition.
Joana Duarte followed with a discussion on multilingualism, diversity, individualism, and inclusion in Dutch society. Her current work revolves around addressing the question, “Why are we so afraid of diversity?”—focusing particularly on linguistic and cultural diversity. She stressed on the importance of viewing diversity as an asset rather than a challenge.
Sven Gins discussed the Dutch relationship with animals, examining how pragmatism, cruelty, compassion, and ingenuity have shaped Dutch society over time. He also touched on how Western Europe has historically been cautious in welcoming foreigners, noting that discussions around immigration have long been fraught with skepticism.
The panelists shared their personal experiences with Dutch customs as well. Karen highlighted Dutch directness, which many internationals find surprising, but explained that it stems from a cultural emphasis on honesty and practicality, not rudeness. Sven mentioned Dutch ingenuity, offering the quirky example of the “fish doorbell,” a live streamed canal camera where people can press a button to allow fish to swim upstream and avoid predators.
When asked for advice for those considering moving to the Netherlands, the panelists provided these valuable tips:
- Research the cultural differences between the Netherlands and your home country to better understand what changes to expect.
- Learn the language and keep practicing, even if you have an accent. Knowing the language is key to feeling more connected and understanding social cues.
- Embrace the Dutch directness to become more assertive, but don’t forget to keep aspects of your own culture alive as well.
To help Dutch people better welcome newcomers, the panelists offered practical suggestions:
- If you know someone new to the country, consider inviting them for coffee or cake after 17:00. It’s a simple gesture that can help internationals feel more at home outside of the usual work and study environments.
- Be mindful that directness can come off as rude to those unfamiliar with it. If you notice confusion, take the time to explain yourself.
- Show curiosity about different cultures without exoticizing them.
The event wrapped up with a memorable analogy: You could compare people from different cultures to cats, but any cat owner will tell you that the one thing all cats have in common is how different they are from each other.