A club for Expats in Brabant!
In this webinar, learn how to apply for a government sponsored continuing education grant with Lenny Jousma Key, Account Manager and Wilfried Gradus, Director and owner of STE Languages. Find out how you can subsidise the language classes you’ve always wanted to learn!
During this webinar you will learn the essentials of living a safe and covered life in the Netherlands!
Date: Thursday, 13 January 2022
Time: 20:00 – 21:00/21:30
Members & Guests: Free!
Register by: 12 January 2022
Lily Gonzalez, Events Team
I grew up in the northern part of Mexico (Baja California). Since I was young, I was really interested in other cultures just by listening to people talking in their own language (even though I did not understand a word) or reading books where the story was somewhere in Europe. This gave me the idea that it would be nice to live somewhere outside Mexico, somewhere in Europe.
It was in August 2016 when my dream to live in Europe came true and I had the opportunity to do my Masters in Geo-Information Science at Wageningen University (NL). During my studies, I learned about other cultures, taste traditional dishes from those countries and I discovered more cities in the Netherlands. Moreover, I realized how easy it was to travel to other countries close by and “just like that” I felt in love with the country (although not with its weather but that is another story) and I have lived in the Netherlands since then!
After my master’s I found a job at a start-up in Den Haag and the next move was to find a house close to the office but as you can imagine, it was really difficult to find a decent and affordable place. It was a day of a BBQ where “luck” was on my side and by talking with some friends living together in Tilburg they offered the opportunity to transfer their rental to my partner and me. That’s how I started to officially have a place in Tilburg in November 2019. (more…)
Next Sunday we’ll meet up again for our annual Ugly Sweater Borrel. For #FlashbackFriday, here’s a look at our “ugly” gathering from 2018!
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by Mala Raman
22.12.2018. Once again, we had a great time socializing and snacking during our traditional Christmas borrel. This year we met at Cafe Bakker with everyone charged with wearing their best “ugly sweater.” It was interesting to see what our members’ ideas were of an “ugly” sweater.
Despite the overcrowding around the Korte Heuvel that we were expecting, it was pleasantly cozy in Cafe Bakker where members shared their happiness of starting the holiday season and discussing Christmas and New Year’s plans.
A borrel was the perfect way to bid everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
by Katie Schweitzer
11 Nov 2021. For our Friday night movie, we chose a film full of well known actors that looked absurd and funny – The French Dispatch. The clip looked pretty absurd at any rate 😉
The French Dispatch is a classic Wes Anderson movie (apparently, I’ve only seen one other one) about “The French Dispatch,” a newspaper based in France which circulates in Kansas, USA, bringing foreign culture, events, and perspective to a place that otherwise would have no exposure to them.
The core of the film was focused on three distinct short stories, which were featured in that very newspaper. A notable group of famous stars played roles big and small.
tíc Treasurer, Katie Schweitzer
I have been living in the Netherlands since Aug 2017. I am originally from the US. I was raised outside of Philadelphia, PA, but moved to Washington, DC for my bachelor’s degree and then worked there for 5 years before moving to the Netherlands.
I knew I had wanted to move to Europe at some point. I had been going to Ireland to visit family – my mother is Irish – since I was a kid. But a study abroad semester in Germany really left a lasting impression. Not only did I love the lifestyle, I loved being able to travel to so many different countries, and experience different cultures, with only a short plane or train ride.
So, when the opportune moment came, I decided to get my master’s degree in the Netherlands and have been working here since I completed my studies.
Review by Anne van Oorschot
18.10.2021. The Book Club had such a fun gathering to discuss our latest book, The Beekeeper of Aleppo! There were 10 in attendance, with 1 brand new member and 1 potential member, and all enjoyed drinks and snacks while having an interesting, thoughtful discussion of this good, but difficult book.
While not everyone had finished the book – the subject matter made it a tough read at times – all agreed that having a personal glimpse into the lives of a refugee family helped one to understand and sympathize with their plight. It also brought home the seemingly insurmountable challenges refugees’ face, on top of the massive trauma many have experienced in their home countries forcing them to leave, as well as on their journey to get away.
by Anne van Oorschot
08.10.2021. For our last book before the summer, Essi had brought 3 choices, all of which had been made into a movie, the suggestion being to read the book and then watch the movie together. What a fun idea! We set a date for the movie in September but ended up having to postpone due to…generational challenges. This I must explain, of course!
I, Anne-the-dinosaur, watch movies on Netflix or via a DVD, while Essi, who is young and hip, streams everything and doesn’t even have a DVD player. We would watch the film at my place, Anne’s, on my reasonably big smart TV but, due to an unexpected conflict, Essi could not attend. Since I felt that streaming a film was not something I was sure I could manage on my own and this older film was not quickly available any other way, we postponed to a later date. A hilarious step in our book-to-film adventure I think. 😊 (more…)
Yolonda van Riel, Tilburg International Club President
Where are we now?
As I write this message, I am singing You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive in my head because I feel like we are spinning round again back to the old corona rules! Like many of you, I’m back to working mostly from home and taking my meetings online, yet I am allowed to go on an international business trip because those rules have been lifted. It’s getting hard to keep up!!
Fun Times
Tilburg International Club 