11 October 2018 - "Unraveling Dutch Culture"

Our speaker Ute Limacher-Riebold captivated everyone with her powerful perspectives on culture, thought-provoking and fun games, and insights on how to embrace life in the Netherlands fully. Once you begin to understand the cultural nuances below the “cultural iceberg,” you can tackle any situation in any foreign country with poise, acceptance and confidence.

Our room was completely full of expats from countless countries, who have been living in the Netherlands between one week to even 26 years for our workshop today, October 11, 2018. What a success! Our fabulous speaker Ute Limacher-Riebold captivated everyone with her powerful perspectives on culture, thought-provoking and fun games, and how to embrace life in the Netherlands fully. We cannot thank you enough, Ute, and do hope to have you again for another workshop in the future! For those of you who may have missed it, below is a recap of Ute’s presentation:

5 Ways to Embrace Life in the Netherlands:

Be clear about your expectations and needs

Discover and understand the rules of the game

Accept that not everyone shares your values and beliefs

Learn the languages

Join the community!

We must understand the personal behavior does not equal cultural behavior. Culture impacts everything we do, and while cultural values, beliefs and norms are invisible, they fundamentally influence are behavior in ways in which we don’t realize. It is important to take note of our own comfort zones and with increasing confidence and a better understanding of the country we are living in, the scope of our comfort zones stretch over time. Perhaps the Dutch are really not that rude—they are straight-forward, honest and open. Instead of labeling them as cold, understand that they are merely respecting privacy. Once you begin to understand the cultural nuances below the “cultural iceberg,” you can tackle any situation in any foreign country!

Ute Limacher-Riebold is a Language Consultant and Intercultural Communication Trainer and founder of Ute’s International Lounge. She is a multilingual expert in bi- and multilingualism and communication and expands her professional skills by participating in trainings about intercultural communication and resilience, and she is currently conducting research about multilingual (and multicultural) families.

We cannot thank Ute enough for sharing such well-researched and helpful information with us. If you would like to contact Ute with questions (and compliments!) email her at [email protected]

About the Presenter

Ute Limacher-Riebold is a Language Consultant and Intercultural Communication Trainer, founder of Ute's International Lounge. She has studied Romance Languages and Literature and has completed a PhD in Romance Philology (University of Zurich). She is a multilingual expert in bi- and multilingualism, and communication and keeps expanding her professional skills by participating in training about intercultural communication and resilience, and she is currently conducting research about multilingual (and multicultural) families. She supports her clients through all stages of international life. In her workshops, trainings and consultations she focuses on the wellbeing of the whole family, bridges the unfamiliar with the familiar and emphasizes the skills that internationals need to have in order to fully embrace their life in the “other” countries.