The Netherlands, a cultural Piece of Cake?

Settle Service gladly assists the Radboud University of Nijmegen, Department op Business Communication and the University of Groningen, Department of Psychology with the following research project:

For expatriates who come to the Netherlands, it can be difficult to initially come into contact with the Dutch, while friendship with Dutch people may help settle in. The universities of Nijmegen and Groningen have started a new project to demonstrate that regular contact between recent arrivals and host families is not only a very cost-effective way of helping people on international assignments better settle in their host country, but also a great way to stimulate social exchange between people of different cultures.

The aim of this project is to put expatriates and their partners with French or English as their first language in touch with a Dutch host family. Some participants will be put in touch immediately with a host family. This contact will last nine months. Others will be placed in a control group and after nine months will be given the option of being put in contact with a Dutch family. The idea is for you to get together regularly (at least once per month), for example to go for a drink, to visit a museum etc... It is a unique opportunity to get to know the Dutch and their culture!

"Bravo, excellent initiative. Thank you very much, our host family have now become friends."
French partner of an expatriate

What can you expect?
First of all interesting and enjoyable contact with the Dutch!
Three questionnaires during these nine months (each of about 25 minutes)
A valuable contribution to existing knowledge on how to facilitate life of future expatriates

Who can participate?
For reasons inherent in scientific research, we must apply certain criteria. We would appreciate your participation if you:
have arrived in the Netherlands in the past year
are from Europe, North America or Australia & speak English or French as first language
are on a temporary assignment of at least ten months
do not have a Dutch partner

Please, surf to http://www.let.ru.nl/m.v.bakel/ to read more about the project and to sign up.