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Dutch News Launches Summer Integration Guide for Expats Amidst Debate on Foreign Residents

The Dutch News presents its essential guide to integrating into the Netherlands this summer, helping expats navigate their new home. The guide arrives amidst a mix of perceptions about foreigners, from the 'bubble' they live in, as per Amsterdam's mayor, to the stereotypes they face, like Nigerian bankers mistaken for cleaners.

The Netherlands hosts a diverse range of foreign residents, each with their own story. Expats, a term often used to describe foreigners who have bought or rented property, or simply spoken their native language in public, have found themselves at the centre of debate. Amsterdam's mayor suggests they live in a 'bubble', disconnected from Dutch society.

International students, predominantly from EU or Efta countries, make up over three-quarters of foreign students. Yet, they too face stereotypes. Nigerian bankers, for instance, are often mistaken for cleaners, labelled as 'arbeidsmigranten' or 'asielmigranten'.

To understand one's place in Dutch society, it's crucial to identify which category you fall into. 'Kennismigranten' are skilled workers from non-EU or Efta countries, while 'lovepats' are those who came for love, like Queen Maxima. 'Arbeidsmigranten', meanwhile, are foreign workers taking on jobs locals shun, often facing exploitation.

Affordable housing campaign groups blame expats for rising rents, but the Dutch News encourages all foreigners to engage with Dutch society, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to their new home. After all, the ethnic group with the highest number of international students currently is from India, reflecting the global appeal of Dutch education.

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