Comingtothenetherlands - What to do

Volunteer Work

In the Netherlands:
If you are unable to find work, and are not dependent on an income from employment, voluntary work might help to fill the gap – possibly enabling you to learn new skills and improve your Dutch as well as providing fulfillment. And you might even find that it leads directly to paid employment in the long run.

There are a lot of organisations offering volunteer work in the Netherlands. Not all of them require knowledge of Dutch. There are tasks for 40 hours per week but also light work for only 2 hours per week. Some institutions may pay small pocket money; others reimburse your travel expense or supplying you with meals (especially if you work in the kitchen). If they pay you just for the expenses you made, you do not need to pay the taxes but if you get more than € 21.- per week and € 735.- per year (in 2005) you will need to pay the taxes.

Abroad:
Teaching children or adults in Mexico or Nepal, work in the healthcare in Ghana, China or Mongolia, helping in a travel agency in Peru or give information about ‘environment education’ in South Africa. A few examples of voluntary projects: from 1-2 weeks to 6-8 weeks in and outside Europe; from excellent supervision to primitive circumstances where you lift the project of the ground yourself, with or without working experience accessible.

*There are lists available in The JoHo centers with addresses for voluntary work

JoHo Eco Projects Abroad
Example: researching dolphins in Scotland or Italy, study orang-utans in Indonesia or watching whales in Brazil. With a project through JoHo Eco Projects Abroad you find yourself often eye to eye with wild animals. You always work in a team of international researchers and visit places "tourists" never come.


Different Types of Volunteer Work
Volunteer Work with Own Contribution
All projects and jobs in which you are not only contributing by your physical efforts but also pay all costs that are related to you. If you are able to get the extra funding for the projects with which the circumstances and the survival chance of the project will be improved, and then you might be delivering the best contribution you can.

Within this you have subdivision between short, mid-long and long-term projects:
They can vary from a few weeks till for e.g. 9 months and also the costs can vary from a little compensation for the food and accommodation to a substantial contribution for the project.

Expedition or research like wildlife projects, they are meant for applicants with little time and experience. The contribution of the applicant is also usually the financing of the projects or expeditions.

Volunteer Work without Own Contribution
Voluntary work consisting of projects and jobs without the need of making a contribution of your own. In some cases room and board is included. Sometimes there’s even room for a small salary. This kind of work can be found under ‘Paid work’. In general the projects which can be found in this category are more of a ‘serious’ nature like assisting in a guesthouse, language course institute, travel agency etc. Please note that in some cases where you don’t have to make an own contribution but do need to pay for room and board it will be more expensive than voluntary work with the obligation to make your own contribution. After all in the end it all comes down to how much money you need each day.

Volunteer Work with Salary
Do you have working experience which is needed abroad and are you available for a minimum of 1-3 years- In that case there are some possibilities with organisations that can arrange work abroad. Most possibilities are in forestry, technical and medical work. In most cases it will be (project) management related work in which you can put your knowledge into practice. In order to prevent disappointment you should be aware of the fact that the demand for these kinds of jobs easily exceeds the available openings. As a result of this the selection process is thorough, you need at least two years working experience in the field you are applying for. It is hard to say something about the salary. In some cases you will get a reasonable salary and expenses paid. In other cases only some expenses will be paid and will you be required to do some fundraising yourself before you leave. Soon you will find on www.joho.nl under "Paid work" a special section which will be called "Development work".


Paid Job

In the Netherlands:
If you do not speak Dutch and you are not familiar with the Dutch labor market, it might be difficult to find a job in the Netherlands. But there are several ways to find a job in the Netherlands. We have national and regional newspapers with job ads; many jobs in the Netherlands are obtained by personal mediation of future colleagues, or by a spontaneous application to a firm where you might fit in. Part time work is widespread; also temporary jobs are quite common

There are certain documents required if you want to work in the Netherlands:

Coming from a country that is a member of the European Union?
You are a citizen of the member states and you don’t need to apply for a work permit, but you need:
  1. Sofi number
  2. Valid passport/national identity card
  3. Bank account in a Dutch bank
Coming from a country that is becoming a member of the European Union?
If you are from one of the many new EU member states, the current regulations are as follows:
  1. If you plan to stay in Holland for up to three months, you have to apply for a visa, if you plan to stay for longer, you then need to apply for a residence permit.
  2. You will have to apply independently for a work permit, either through direct company sponsorship or through partner sponsorship.
  3. Valid passport
  4. Bank account
  5. Social Security number (SoFi)
Coming from another country?
  1. You need a permission to stay (verblijfsvergunning); Register at the Alien Police (vreemdelingenpolitie), fee will be charged. Bring your ID/Passport!
  2. You also need a tax number (sofi number); available at the Tax Office (belastingdienst). Bring your ID/Passport and previous home address.
    Amsterdam:CentraalBelastinggebouw, Kingsfordweg 1 (direction Sloterdijk)
  3. Bank account number: very difficult to get! Bring your residence permit, contact/declaration of your employer and passport (ID often not valid)
    Famous banks: Postbank, ABN-AMRO, Rabobank, ING
  4. Work permit: in general only non-EU citizens have to apply for one. But it is very difficult to get because of the Immigration Policy! More information available at the Department Legal Affairs of Dutch Employment Agency!
Where to look for jobs?

JOHO TIP: You can come by to one of our JoHo center and ask for a “working in the Netherlands” brochure, lots of job information and agencies for foreigners are listed in the brochure.

Abroad:
JoHo Company also offers a lot of jobs abroad for foreigners who are in Netherlands and look for jobs abroad. You can check our website or come by our JoHo center to ask about the job offers and subscribe to our JoHo Abroad Services.


Internship

In Netherlands:
It is relatively easier for Dutch speaking students to find good internships, honestly speaking. The language is always going to be a major factor for English-spoken students trying to find internship in the Netherlands. There are internships for those with no knowledge of Dutch at all but you will certainly enhance your prospects if you make the effort to learn at least a little of the language. And the more Dutch you speak, the better your prospects will become.

If your school in your own country doesn’t have any contacts in the Netherlands to find you an internship, then you can check out the two famous international student organizations who help to find internship abroad: www.aiesec.nl

There are also some good websites, which have a huge online database of the latest internship offers, but most of them are in Dutch:
www.integrand.nl
www.stageplaza.nl

Abroad:
Is your goal staying for a few months in a foreign country and getting international practical experience, than the world lies open to you. If you can’t find the right organization through your own school, maybe JoHo can help you through its many international contacts. For a law- or journalistic internship in Latin-America or Africa; doing supervised scientific research by observing orang-utans in their natural environment; teaching in Nepal; even hotel-internships in Paris or London. You often pay a certain amount for your internship, but you are often repaid by getting free meals, accommodation or language courses and of course the international experience.


Au Pair

In Netherlands:
Anyone who is older than 18 but not over 25 that wants to be an Au Pair to learn about Dutch society and culture. Qualified Au Pairs must meet the required conditions.

General Conditions:
Duration of stay: 12 months is the longest duration one can stay in the Netherlands as an Au Pair.
Language: The Netherlands does not have any language restrictions but a basic knowledge of English is expected.
Working hours: You will not work more than 8 hours a day with a maximum of 30 hours a week, you will have 2 days off during a week. You will only be doing light household work supporting the needs of the host family.
Au Pair expectation: Your own room, with a window that can be opened and closed; the family must have sufficient means of funds. The possibilities to participate with the family meals.

For more Au Pair information please check:
www.aupair-agency.nl
aupair.pagina.nl

Abroad:
JoHo Au Pair
Want to be an Au Pair- We offer possibilities for the USA, France, Switzerland or England, but you could also consider Iceland or Ireland. We have three options: become a summer au-pair, ski au-pair in Europe for 6-12 months or au-pair in the USA for a period of 12 months. In general you pay a small sum for selection & conselling. But you’ll earn this and much more money back in pocket money, free return ticket & holidays and free courses.


Studying

Holland was the first non-English-speaking country with courses taught in English. Holland has a broad number of disciplines in which it has an international leading role. Higher education institutions in Holland offer about 1,000 international study programs and courses which are taught in English. These programs cover a broad range of fields. Curricula are intensive, at an advanced level, practically oriented, and designed to meet the expectations of students seeking specialized knowledge. The courses alternate theories with practice in real or simulated work situations. Most study programs and courses lead to a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a PhD degree, a diploma or certificate.

Holland has two main types of regular higher education: university education and higher professional education. The universities focus on the independent practice of research-oriented work in an academic or professional setting. The universities of professional education are more practically oriented, preparing students directly for specific careers. A smaller branch of education is provided by International Education institutes, which offer programs designed especially for foreign students.

For a complete list of institutions; tuition fee for different programs, please check www.nuffic.nl and aupair.pagina.nl
For more information about studying in Holland, please check www.studyin.nl

Coming to the Netherlands as an international student
Under certain conditions, foreign students and employees are obliged to have a basic healthcare insurance according to Dutch law.
Possibly some changes in the system are coming up soon considering the conditions stated below. Please contact JoHo, to make sure about the current conditions.

Language Studying
In addition to Dutch, you can also choose to spend a summer or a period of time abroad to improve your other language skills, for e.g. English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian etc.

In Europe but also in Latin- America, South Africa or Australia. Book the course of your choice through JoHo straight away or inform about the wide range of language schools worldwide. No packed classes with only Dutch people, instead students from different countries, a lot of free facilities and activities outside the classes, good supervision from motivated teachers and courses are often held on very unique locations. Combine your course with voluntary work, do your internship during your language study or get your Padi diving certificate.

Inform yourself also about the special developed JoHo Latin-America program!


Start a new business

Another option you could consider (especially if you are unable to find suitable work within a company) is whether you could set up some kind of business of your own. This could be just a one-person concern – perhaps offering some kind of service on a freelance basis. Or maybe you have an idea for a venture that would offer employment to a number of others as well. In either case, you’ll find that the Netherlands is a great place to start your own business.

For more information please check: www.kvk.nl