'The expatriate worker is here because he or she wants to be, he would not have come if it weren't for the great job, but the relocation is only successful when the individual or his/her family is happy.' concluded a survey requested by the city of Maastricht (January 2008).
For newcomers to the region it is important to be able to connect with like-minded individuals and people in a similar situation or stage of life. Most often social life is rebuilt through relationships at work, via neighbors or through the children's school. Also, connecting with people sharing the same cultural background is very comforting, because they often have similar experiences and emotions when adjusting to a new place. Sharing those experiences improve the readjustment process. Therefore the list of intimate personal stories from people with different nationalities in the region -on the right hand side of this web-page- might be a fun and helpful read.
For women, one of the best ways in the region to reconnect with like-minded people is through the International Womens Club South Limburg, a club to bring together foreign women. The IWC is a way to meet new people, a source of valuable information and a club organizing activities catering to everyones taste.
Another way to reconnect is the Lion's Club Maastricht Mondial's main fundraising event: the May Fair. This annual event brings together expatriates and their families to meet, mingle and enjoy a free afternoon of entertainment, information and hospitality at a location in the Euroregion. Furthermore, articles and news-items on international web-magazine Crossroads will inform you on what is going on in the international community and where you want to be. Getting connected has proven to be especially difficult for pregnant women and young mothers. A good meeting point for this group of newcomers is Maastricht International Playgroup: an English-speaking, non-profit group of expatriate and Dutch parents, carers, and parents to be.
If you have found a new home near Brunssum, the NATO (Allied Joined Force Command Brunssum) and the international school located there, will be useful places to meet new people.
Regional professional networks are primarily Dutch. However, several service clubs in the region have dedicated international branches. International Round Table Maastricht (for men between 18-40), Rotary International (for 40+ professionals), Kiwanis International and Lions Club Maastricht Mondial are internationally well-known service clubs which are useful for making new business connections in the area.
Read more about the May Fair.
Various international communities
- International Women's Club South Limburg
- Lion's Club Maastricht Mondial
- International Round Table Maastricht
- Rotary International
- Kiwanis International
Personal stories
Resources for the international community
- Gratifying feedback from a Japanese expat in Maastricht
- Forgive me for I have sinned
- Newly arrived American expats in Maastricht: 'No time to be bored!'
- Amandine de Rosnay, a white African in Maastricht
- Reflecting on my Romanian identity
- Reflections of a Jewish American on Rosh Hashanah
- Down in 'Kampung Daniken'
- Moroccan-Belgian student: 'It's the heart that counts'
Resources for the international community
- About moving to the Netherlands
- Access NL
- Expatica
- Internations - Netherlands Expat Community
- Xpats
- NL Planet
- Government news and information
- Official site of Holland
- History of the Netherlands
- Dutch royalty
- CIA's World Factbook on the Netherlands
- 2010-2011 UWC Maastricht Welcome Guide
This project is supported by the European Union.
