Admissions

Work and Education

As an expat you most probably already have a job when you arrive in the Netherlands. For partners arriving with you, there are several options to finding a job. Found a job and negotiating your contract? Check the website of Expat Center East Netherlands for information about employment conditions. Do you want to follow an education or you have school-going children? Read on and learn about the possibilities of (international) education in the region.

Finding a Job

As in most countries, your network is the best source for job vacancies. Not all job offers are made public online or through employment agencies. So make sure all your friends and neighbours know you are looking for a job.

Besides using your personal network, finding a job in the Netherlands is mostly done through employment agencies. The biggest in Overijssel are Randstad, Tempo Team and Timing. You usually register online, after which you can apply for vacancies that they offer. They will invite you for an interview when they think you are a suitable candidate or when they have found you as a match for a client with the help of their database.

You can also use websites that give an overview of all jobs. For example, a good website for international jobs in Twente is twente.com/jobs and international jobs in the Netherlands is togetherabroad.nl. Also justlanded.com is helpful for international jobs and offers a forum for expats in the Netherlands for questions about working and living.

 

Networks in Twente

To increase the chance of finding a job, you can broaden your network by visiting the events organized by the Expat Center East Netherlands. Some of the events are with a specific topic, others more general. Women can join specific women network groups such as Women.inc, Tafel van 1 and VOS. Although these groups are not necessarily international, they welcome expats as well.

 

Job Coaching and Courses

Thinking about switching careers or want to improve certain skills like presenting yourself or get job interview training? Perhaps you want your resume to be checked or get practical tips on how to find a job in the Netherlands. Job coaches can help you with this. Our partners listed at the end of this Guide are all experienced in helping international employees. Contact them for more information.

 

Volunteering

Doing work for free for your community is deeply rooted in the Dutch culture. Almost half of the Dutch population volunteer at least once a year, differing from helping at school, sport clubs, in the community centre or helping the elderly.

Volunteering is a great way to spend time when you are unemployed, help your community, meet new people (and with that grow your network) and learn the language. Volunteering is highly appreciated on resumes when you are applying for jobs. For finding voluntary work you can visit these websites, offer your expertise and look for vacancies (in Dutch):

 

Adult Education

Want to go back to school? The region has several options for studying both full time and part time. The highest education possible in the province of Overijssel is at the University of Twente in Enschede. You can follow several bachelors, premasters and master programmes that are mostly offered in English in the fields of technical science, politics and business. Also check out their Dutch language classes, public lectures and events on www.utwente.nl.

When it comes to universities of applied sciences, Overijssel has two: Saxion University, with locations in Enschede and Deventer, and Windesheim University in Zwolle. They offer more practical bachelor and some master programmes. Some courses and international events are open to non-students.

The biggest provider of practical courses is ROC (Regional Educational Centre). Here you can find many courses like Dutch language courses that can be followed during the day, in evenings or weekends. Most other courses are in Dutch

Fun Fact: Overijssel has a university of arts. ArtEZ, with locations in Enschede and Zwolle, offers bachelor and master programmes. The students also exhibit and perform their work. Check out the ArtEZ website for events; artez.nl

 

Schools and childcare

Children usually attend a preschool (‘peuterschool’ or ‘peuterspeelzaal’) around the age of 3. This gives them the opportunity to interact with other children in a playful manner and become accustomed to certain school-like rules. From the age of 4, children are permitted to attend school in the Netherlands and school is compulsory for children from the age of 5 to 18.

In the Netherlands you are not appointed a school, so you can choose the school for your child yourself. Be aware there is no transport to and from schools provided by the government or school, apart from schools for children with special needs. Children from the age of 4 are first admitted to an 8-year primary school. After completion of primary school, children make a choice for their secondary education. In cases where a school offers both primary and secondary education, the transition from one educational level to the next is uninterrupted.

Both local and international education is available in the region. Especially when you plan to stay in the Netherlands for a long period, local, Dutch, education can be an option to consider. In the main cities of the region, you will also find local secondary schools that offer Dutch-English bilingual education.

 

Dutch education

Keep in mind that, when you choose a Dutch School, foreign children aged six and older are usually required to follow a Dutch immersion programme (‘schakelklas’ or ‘nieuwkomersklas’), before starting regular education in the Netherlands. Special classes are offerred in Hengelo, Oldenzaal, Almelo, Deventer, Zwolle & Enschede for primary education and in Enschede, Zwolle & Deventer for secondary education. Younger foreign children, however, can usually start at a regular Dutch primary school or preschool straight away as they pick up the language more easily. If you would like to know more about these immersion programmes and at which schools they are offered, you can always contact the Expat Center East Netherlands.

International education If you want your child(ren) to attend international preschool, primary or secondary education, these are the possibilities the region has to offer:

 

Preschool

The Little Prince

An international preschool with two locations in Enschede, with a bilingual curriculum (Dutch and English) especially for toddlers. Here children from various nationalities are prepared for a smooth transition to primary school in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the world.

Main Address: Bisschopstraat 41, Enschede

Website: www.kinderopvanghumanitas.nl

 

Fun Fact: You will discover many types and sorts of school education in the Netherlands. Historically every religion and/or philosophy had its own school, like catholic, protestant or socialist education. This diversion is still visible although educational beliefs are more and more the diverging factor for example in Montessori, Dalton or Freinet schools

 

Primary Education

International School Twente (IST):

As part of the Prinseschool in Enschede, IST is an international primary school, where all lessons are taught in English. The staff comprises of local teachers and native English-speaking teachers working with the International Primary Curriculum.

Address: Johannes ter Horststraat 30, Enschede

Website: www.internationalschooltwente.nl

 

Rivers International School Arnhem (AIS):

Based in Arnhem, Rivers offers both primary and secondary education. All lessons are taught in English at this primary school with native English-speaking staff and a very active parents council.

Address: Parnassusstraat 20, Arnhem

Website: www.arnheminternationalschool.nl

 

Secondary Education

International School Twente (IST):

This school is housed in Het Stedelijk Lyceum (HSL) in Enschede and offers a regular Dutch, a bilingual and an international secondary curriculum. International School Twente Secondary works with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) that offers internationally-recognised qualifications and allows students to continue their studies in The Netherlands or elsewhere.

Address: Het Stedelijk Lyceum Zuid, Tiemeister 20, Enschede

Website: www.internationalschooltwente.nl

 

International school Arnhem (AIS):

This secondary school in Arnhem offers an IB curriculum. All lessons are taught in English and the international staff and variety of nationalities of the students gives a pleasant international environment.

Address: Parnassusstraat 20, Arnhem

Website: www.arnheminternationalschool.nl

 

Primary and Secondary combined

International School Eerde

The International School Eerde Situated near Zwolle, ISE is the only boarding school in the Netherlands and housed on the grounds of an old mansion. The school also offers regular daily education for primary and secondary years. The IPC (International Primary Curriculum) program is followed for the primary school and IGSCE and IB for secondary school.

Address: Kasteellaan 1, Ommen

Website: www.eerde.nl

 

If you should need further information, or have more questions, you are always welcome to visit the Expat Centre website (www.ECEN.nl) or contact them via email (info@ecen.nl)