Travel Photo of the Week - Mark Square in Venice, Italy

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

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Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Sandhya Sanjana

Continuing the expat interview series on Orangesplaash, we have Sandhya Sanjana as our expat guest this week, sharing her entrepreneurship journey while embracing expat life in the Netherlands. Sandhya is an Indian vocalist who integrates Indian classical vocals with jazz and world music. She has recently recorded her solo album, Random Access Melody. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

SS: I was born and raised in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. I live in Amsterdam (but have also now and again lived in London in between) since 2001. I am married to a Dutch man. 

I came to Amsterdam many years ago with my band DIVYA, which I had with my ex husband from India. We were based in Amsterdam for three months while touring Europe. I fell in love with the Jordaan area, especially the chimes of the Westertoren, the swans floating by on Prinsengracht and the quaint charming streets. I had a dream of coming back there one day. And then I married a wonderful Dutch man many years later.

OS: What is your profession?

SS: I am essentially a singer, trained in North Indian classical (Hindustani) singing since my early childhood. But I am a composer too, who writes her own material and also rework texts from traditional Indian works.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

SS: Actually India and The Netherlands are as far apart as I can imagine two countries can be. 

India is (or at least, has been) all about the family life, community and a sense of acceptance of life’s ups and downs as part of one’s karma. In The Netherlands, it is all about the individual, orderliness and hard work. 

I love that, here, people are on time and take appointments seriously. Not so in India. 

I love the fact that things function perfectly in this country - telephones, trains, planes, street cleaners, social security etc. Not yet, in India. 

I love the fact that in India, one doesn’t throw anything away. One gets it repaired and only when it can’t be repaired any more, one still tries to recycle it. I detest the throw away culture here, which is a general trend in developed countries. 

People are far more spontaneous about social contacts in India. One becomes friends quite quickly. Here, it takes a while before people actually open up and trust you. 

People live in close proximity with one another in India. Therefore, there is too much prying and interest in each other’s business, which I used to detest while being brought up in a closed Saraswat community. Here one can be as private as one wishes to be. 

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

SS: I love Amsterdam – the capital city of my host country. I can’t say that I quite love the rest of The Netherlands as much. Well, to be honest, I don’t know much about it, as I have only lived in Amsterdam. (I did live in Heerenveen in Friesland in the north. But I didn’t take to it at all, having moved there from Bombay, a crowded bustling city to the cold of that area.) I love that most of the nationalities live in Amsterdam, making it a colourful place to live in – in the widest sense possible. It has an open, tolerant attitude and one can be pretty much free to do what one pleases. I would miss this if I were to leave.

I dislike that the new councils/governments are trying quite hard, at the moment, to take away the freedom of this vibrant city and no one is really protesting. Perhaps if pushed into a corner, the people will have their say. I am quite convinced about that.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

SS: The locals are, as I said before, a mixed bunch. They live in beautiful harmony and the term racial/cultural integration is best seen here. One look at the children who are amazing mixes of races and colours and how they live together amicably is quite wonderful. I do have a lot of local friends. Some of them I made by living in the neighbourhood. I meet them at our local pub. Some others I have met through my music. A bunch of them I have met through my Buddhist practice. We have meetings quite often and get together and chant. Those are some of my most precious friends.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

SS: I had to learn Nederlands as  part of my “inburgeringscursus”. That was easy. I used only 300 out of the 600 hours given to me. The course was fun and interactive. We used CD ROMs to learn about the language, the customs etc. I had a wonderful teacher who gave me her utmost help to learn the language. Her musician son and I are colleagues and work together since those days! Learn the language, it’s very easy if you speak English. I know a lot of Amsterdammers will jump to English when they hear you hesitate in Nederlands! But continue speaking it, it will make you feel more “gezellig”.

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

SS: An almost 10. I feel more at home in Amsterdam than anywhere in the world. I have lived in Bombay/London/Amsterdam. And Amsterdam certainly feels more like home than anywhere else at this moment. The only reason I don’t give it a perfect 10 is the weather! I could use a lot more sunshine and heat….but I do get away in the coldest months.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

SS: Whatever the reason for your being in the country you are an expat in, try and find all the positive things about it. I’m sure if you look with an open mind, you will find loads. Then go out and find those things around you. There’s no point in being somewhere and not liking it. Then you might as well move. A case in point was a friend who came from India. She was a singer and she complained about how she never got any concerts here in Amsterdam. She was here because her husband’s job made her move country each three years. She met a cousin of mine in New York a few years later and went on and on about disliking NYC and praising Amsterdam! To sum it up with the lines of a famous rock anthem: “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

SS: Expatica and Indian Expat Society.

[Photo Credit - Sandhya]

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Travel Photo of the Week - St. Peter's Basilical in Vatican City, Italy

Situated in the Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the holiest Catholic sites. The basilica is built in the Renaissance style and its facade with a giant order of statues is absolutely marvelous. 

We visited the city during our trip to Italy in Easter last year and were greeted by a swarm of tourists and locals alike. We even got to see tulips exported specially from the Netherlands for the decorations!

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

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Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Stephanie Ward

In this week's edition of the Orangesplaash expat interview series, Stephanie Ward, an expat who has been living in the Netherlands for over 11 years describes how she now feels at home here. A Small Business Marketing Coach, Stephanie runs her own company Firefly Coaching and loves connecting people, creating ideas, and sharing resources. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there? 

SW: I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma in the US.  I’ve lived in the Netherlands since 1999.  I moved here to be with my Dutch love, we’re still together and extremely happy.

OS: What is your profession?

SW:  I’m an entrepreneur and I started my business Firefly Coaching in 2002. I’m a Small Business Marketing Coach and help my clients attract more clients and grow their businesses.  Many of my clients are expats and I work with Dutch clients as well (in English). I’m known for helping business owners get clear about their businesses and then generating marketing ideas that are a perfect fit for them.

My passion is to help small business owners grow their businesses into long-term sustainable enterprises and have a great life at the same time. I do this by combining my business and marketing background, my coaching skills, as well as my own personal experience. 

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

SW: The directness of the Dutch.  Which at first was a bit shocking and now I really appreciate it.  I’m much more direct now as a result of living here and find that it is an effective way of communicating. 

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

SW: I love riding my bike for transportation.  It’s great to be outside (when it’s not raining), it’s good for fitness, and it’s environmentally friendly.  Dislike, well that’s easy.  People who shove in line in front of you and act like they don’t see you. If you live in the Netherlands, I know you know what I’m talking about.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

SW: The locals are quite friendly and I have made some truly extraordinary friendships with Dutch people. I met a few of them when I was working at a company before I started my business in 2002.  Other friends I’ve met through my partner.  And I love my many friends in the expat community which include many internationally minded locals as well.  

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

SW: It was a struggle for me to learn Dutch, and I’m still learning.  It makes life so much easier if you speak the local language.  I recommend finding a fantastic teacher who can make learning fun and not so painful. 

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

SW: I would say it is a 9 out of 10 but it wasn’t always that way.  I’ve lived in the Netherlands for over 11 years and in the beginning it was harder.  Now that I can speak the language (not perfectly) and I know how things work, life here is pretty relaxing.  I feel like this is my home now and don’t really think about being an expat too often.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

SW: Learning the language is really important so that you can be a part of the community.  It’s also important to stay connected with who you are at your core and add the experience of being an expat to that. And getting involved with organizations and groups that you share a common interest with is a great way to meet new people. 

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend? 

SW: Only two?Yikes, there are so many good ones. Dutch News, IamExpat, Expatica and TalenCoach.

[Photo Credit - Stephanie]

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Travel Photo of the Week - The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

The partially damaged Colosseum is regarded as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, and completely justifies the title. The monumental structure, built as an amphitheater is capable of seating 50,000 spectators, and was used to host gladiator fights and other public shows in the Imperial Rome. 

This photo was taken during our trip to Italy last year and shows the destroyed outer wall as well as the mostly intact inner wall. It took us sometime to check out all the floors, and to let the history and the ambience of the place sink in. Looking forward to visiting the place again!

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

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Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Caz Makepeace

Caz Makepeace, our expat guest this week, describes her expat and travel experiences while teaching round the world in this interesting interview. Caz together with her husband Craig runs the popular yTravelBlog that is dedicated to inspire people to travel. With over a decade of experience traveling through 35 countries, and relocating and setting up a new life in 5 countries, the couple's love for travel and adventure is infectious. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

CM: I am from Australia and am currently living here. My husband, daughter and I recently returned from living in the US. We lived there for 4 years. Craig and I have also lived in Bangkok (2002) and Dublin(2003), and I lived in London for 2 years in 1997.

OS: What is your profession? 

CM: I am primary school teacher.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

CM: Thai people have a lot of respect for other people. Teachers are considered second after the Buddha in importance. Therefore, I was treated with a huge amount of reverence and respect. Students would carry my books around, bring me lunch, wai (traditional Thai greeting) to me in a way reserved for those of higher importance, and make themselves lower than me—for some tall people this meant almost crawling on the ground.

I noticed a very similar level of respect shown in America. Americans have a high respect for authority and revere their leaders. As a teacher, I walked into the classroom already having the respect of the children. It made my job that much easier.

Australia began as a penal colony, and so our culture tends to have a lack of respect for authority. I have really noticed this on returning home. This makes my job as a teacher harder as I have to work to first earn the respect of the students. Sometimes this means making you seem less as a figure of authority.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

CM: I miss Thailand every day. I miss the relaxed culture and lifestyle there. They work hard, yet they do not let troubles get in the way of their smiles and friendly disposition. Thailand is where I felt most healthy- physically, mentally, and spiritually. Life is just about enjoying every moment. I miss the food, the cheap living, weekly Thai massages, and lots of warmth and kindness.

There really wasn’t a lot about Thailand that I disliked. The pollution in Bangkok was horrible, especially for an asthma sufferer like me. Also, the whole concept of ‘saving face,’ meant that Thai people wouldn’t always say what they thought, so often at times I was unsure of where I really stood with them or what they were really feeling.

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them?

CM: We always met local friends either through work or by getting out and experiencing the local culture. Attending festivals, going to cafes and restaurants, playing in parks, going to the gym, and speaking with those in our neighbourhoods.

In Thailand, the locals were so warm and friendly. We met most of our friends through work. They are such giving people and would do anything to make sure we had a great time in Thailand. 

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

CM: In Thailand, we learned the basics. I found Thai a challenging language to learn and unfortunately too many people speak English so I found it too easy to escape from having to speak Thai. What we did learn came from guidebooks and learning from our local friends. 

If you want to learn a language the best advice I can give you is to immerse yourself fully in the language. Give up your native tongue for a while and only speak the local language. Read local newspapers and watch local television. You have to practice the language or you will never get any good at it. So go out and speak the language with locals. Don’t be afraid to give it a try. 

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

CM: The expat experiences I have had, in all the countries I have lived in, has definitely been at least an 8 or above. I love living as a foreigner. I love how each day brings new surprises, and new awareness. I have learned many different ideas, ways of thinking, and believing that I have incorporated into my own life. Just this week I celebrated Thanksgiving, a local tradition that I loved and have now brought into my life back in Australia.  There have been challenges but the positive experiences far out weigh these.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

CM: Get out there and make an effort to live like the locals do. Don’t hide away in your bedroom, lamenting about home and hoping someone may find you to show you the local area. Catch local transport, eat local food, learn at least the basics of the language, make an effort to speak to local people to make new friends. Your experiences will be a direct result of the decisions you make and the actions you take.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

CM: The brink of something else - Camden is an Aussie expat living in Peru and owns and runs her own Hostel

Grounded Traveler - Andrew is an expat living in Germany.  He writes thoughtful posts about living as an expat.

[Photo Credit - Caz]

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Best of 2010 on Orangesplaash

It's been a week into the new year. The festivities have ended and people are getting back to work - perfect time for a little reflection on the past year.

The last year has been very exciting for Orangesplaash. It makes me happy to see the Orangesplaash community growing by the day and it feels great to share my thoughts and experiences on expat life with past, present and future expats out there, through this blog. 

However, the story of Orangesplaash would never be possible without YOU. Therefore, I’d like to thank you - each and every reader of Orangesplaash for bringing the idea of this blog to life and for offering your advice to fellow expats.

This year will see plenty of plans unfold on Orangesplaash - aimed at enhancing the community experience and engaging the audiences even further! So, stay tuned.

It was difficult picking 15 posts from more than 200 posts published on Orangesplaash last year. Nevertheless, here is a quick recap of the most popular posts on Orangesplaash, in the year 2010 :

• Cycling in the Netherlands : One of the most popular posts of all times - provides insights into the famous Dutch cycling culture with reasons that have made the Netherlands a cycling paradise, complete with a wide range of photos.

• How to get a BSN (Burgerservicenummer) in the Netherlands : The first part of the very useful Netherlands Expat Guide series explaining everything you need to know about getting a BSN number for expats in the Netherlands.

• Interview with an Expat Entrepreneur - Vinita Salome : Vinita, a life-style photographer based in Gouda, describes her experiences of living and working in the Netherlands as an expat entrepreneur in this engaging dialogue.

• An Expat's Guide to Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pieten : Confused about the tradition of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands? If yes, check out this mini guide about Sinterklaas and his helpers Zwarte Pieten, written from an expat perspective.

• Christmas gift for Expats - The Best Help to Learn a Language : This post stems from my personal experiences of learning the Dutch language. Here is an ideal guide with worksheets to help you master a new language using unconventional techniques. Give yourself and your family, the gift of language this new year.

• Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Sezin Koehler : Sezin Koehler was the first expat-guest on the expat interview series that started last month on Orangesplaash. She shares her cultural experiences, dilemmas and expat tales in this candid interview. 

• Best views of Prague, Czech Republic : We were in Prague in October last year. The beauty, architecture and the warmth inspired this photo tour, describing one of the most visited cities in Europe.

• Daily Dynamics - Expat Tip of the Day : A daily feature on Orangesplaash that began in February last year, wherein I put forward thoughts and tips from my personal experiences of living life as an expat in the Netherlands; as well as from what I have learnt from my interactions with other expats and locals. These tips got very popular amongst the readers on Orangesplaash, thereby making me extend the daily tips feature to more than three months. 

• Why developing Intercultural Competence is Indispensable today? : Do we need to learn other languages?  Is intercultural competence important in today's global world? Sean Oliver, the Project Manager at Language and Culture Worldwide, explains why intercultural competence isn’t really optional anymore.

• Travel Photo of the Week - The Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt : The first post in a new series on Orangesplaash, in which I will be publishing a photo each week, from our many travels. This photo depicts the Cairo Pyramids, all in one line. The Pyramids inspire a sense of awe which is truly evident only when you see the place for yourself.

• Top 5 secret travel tips for Rajasthan, India : One of the most visited states in India, Rajasthan is famous for its desert, colorful costumes and the camel fair. But there is a lot more to this historic state, as any local will tell you. Check out 5 secret (no longer, now that I have spilled the beans) tips you want to know before embarking on this wonderful journey.

• 3 Free i-Phone Applications for learning Dutch - Are you looking forward to learn Dutch? But you do not have enough time to sit though the lessons. Here are some applications that will help you take the first step in learning the language.

• Rotterdam through my eyes : This post represents an expat view of the multicultural city, Rotterdam - experiences and situations that I as an expat, identify the city with. 

• Top 12 signs You've Integrated Successfully as an Expat : A practical list of 12 pointers testing if you have embraced your expat life fully. Read the list and see how many you resonate with.  

• Budget Holland Series - A five part series on the different passes/ cards/ travel vouchers that provide an opportunity to travel across the Netherlands and check out its cities and natural beauty for less; sometimes absolutely free!

Which is your favourite post on Orangesplaash in 2010?

[Photo Credit - Lel4nd]

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Travel Photo of the Week - The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Still on the "Wonders of the world" series - 

The Leaning Tower, with a height of 56.70 meters on the higher side, is one of the most visited wonders of the world. Situated in the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the tower began tilting due to the unstable subsoil, even when it was being constructed in the 12th century. 

The views from the top floor are not that great, though we has fun climbing to the top - we had timed our climb and the 294 steps took us exactly 5 minutes! It is important to keep in mind the long queues when you visit the Leaning Tower - as far as I can remember, only 25 people are allowed at any time inside the tower. And while you are waiting for your turn, enjoy the green spaces around the tower.

[Photo Credit - Orangesplaash]

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Orangesplaash interviews an Expat - Expat Inspiration with Amanda van Mulligen

Amanda van Mulligen is our expat guest for this week, sharing tips and tales from her expat  life in the Netherlands spanning more than 10 years. A fellow expat blogger, Amanda writes passionately about all things expat related, along with managing her own company The Writing Well,  that provides English language writing services. I personally enjoy her writing style and insights into expat life in the Netherlands. [Check out the other interviews in the expat interview series on Orangesplaash]

OS: Where are you from originally? Where do you live currently as an expat and what brought you there?

AM: I am originally from England but I have lived in the Netherlands since 2000. I moved here because I met a Dutchman. After a few months of high phone bills and missing out on sleep to spend as much time online on messengers as possible, we knew something had to change…. living together was the natural next step.

OS: What is your profession?

AM: I am a writer. I write mainly about expat related issues and particularly about remarkable expat women or (career) issues facing women who live overseas. In a previous life, I was a human resources specialist.

OS: What is the main difference (in culture/lifestyle) that you observed between your home country and your host country?

AM: The Dutch are blunt and say what they mean. They make the British sound like bumbling buffoons when it comes to getting a message across. It took a while to get used to hearing exactly what people think rather than reading between the lines to get the real meaning. I think it is a shock for a lot of expats and many find it hard to shake the feeling that the Dutch are rude.

OS: What do you like the most about your host country (something you would miss, were you to leave the country tomorrow) and what do you dislike?

AM: I love the attitude to life here. It is about making the most of the time we have – about family and the balance between work and home. I think the Dutch have the right attitude to family life. The government has tried numerous ways to get women into the workplace on a full time basis but nothing has worked – it is all about fitting work around raising children instead of passing them to childcare professionals so they can work 9 to 5. It comes down to priorities and I think the Dutch have a healthy way of looking at fundamental things.

I dislike the supermarkets here and I still find it hard, even after a decade here, to tolerate the poor customer service, which is commonplace. I think companies here could save a lot of money here by simply scrapping customer service departments – they are pretty much redundant in most companies anyway, managing only to wind customers up even further!

OS: How would you describe the locals? Do you have any local friends? How did you happen to meet them? 

AM: The locals keep their social circles pretty closed and keeping work separate from personal life is very common. It is therefore not easy to meet locals who I would term as good friends. Those local friends I do have are neighbors or friends of my husbands. My friends locally tend to be other expats who have local partners and are here to stay.

OS: Are you learning the local language? How are you doing it? What would you advice those who are learning a language?

AM: Learning the local language is so vital – I cannot stress it enough, especially if you are here for the long term. Without it you miss out culturally and naturally exclude yourself from so much. I have picked it up over the last ten years but prior to moving here I tried to learn the basics as much as possible with the help of my Dutch partner and Hugo’s Learn Dutch in Three Months. When I actually moved here I didn’t feel so in the dark as I would have done without any Dutch at all. It took a long time though before people stopped speaking English to me in the shops etc – you have to persevere and carry on in Dutch. Everyone here speaks English so it is tempting to give up and use English but the reward is worth the struggle! 

After a few years here I also went to a Dutch language teacher in the Hague (Gerrie Soede of Poldertaal) to get a grip on writing and Dutch grammar (which often still eludes me to be honest).

OS: How do you rate your expat experience so far on a scale of 1 to 10 and why?

AM: 10. Without a doubt. For so many reasons – the experience has made me richer in all ways (except financially :)). Because of moving to the Netherlands I changed my career to one I love (when everything has changed so much anyway, a little thing like a career change is easier to deal with), my children are bilingual, there are so many new experiences even after ten years here (learning the basics in the early years and later like going through two pregnancies and births, and now getting in to the ins and outs of the Dutch education system), the people I have met both here and virtually because of an expat network. Of course there are challenges and I miss my friends and family back home but I never regret making the move to the Netherlands.

OS: What has worked for you, in terms of making your expat life a fulfilling experience. Please share at least one piece of advice with our readers.

AM: What has worked best for me is accepting how things are done here and trying to take on things as a local would (with the exception of customer service and Dutch birthday circle - those I will never accept or adopt) instead of constantly comparing it to the English way and refusing to see any other way of doing things. For those who have given birth in the Netherlands, you’ll know what I mean – I would never have planned for a home birth in the UK. It would not have crossed my mind but here it is popular and ‘normal’ so I went along with the idea willingly. Unfortunately for medical reasons it never happened as planned but the mindset was there. Adapting to the local environment has been key for me.

OS: Do you have any expat blogs or websites (any 2) that you would like to recommend?

AM: Ooh, hard to keep to two but here goes. I love Stu’s Invading Holland blog  - it makes me laugh and the sarcasm of a fellow Brit resonates well. I also really enjoy Cathy Dobson’s Planet Germany blog - again a lot to do with the style of humour, as well as learning about life in another country. I guess you can take a Brit out of Britain but you can’t quash the British sense of humour!

[Photo Credit - Amanda]

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Happy New Year (Gelukkig Nieuwjaar)

Thank you readers for a fulfilling and enjoyable 2010. 

May the New Year bring you good health, happiness, peace, and contentment.

Happy New Year 2011!

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar 2011!

[Photo Credit - Wikipedia Commons]

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