Find Ways to Feel at Home with The Hague International Centre’s Guide to The Hague!

Lorraine Besnier is originally from France but moved to the Netherlands at 19 to come study here. Early on in her life in the Hague she found the Volunteer The Hague platform to get more involved in the community. Life is a little busier now than it was then, but she still tries to find some time to get involved in cool projects like a French Taaldorp at a Dutch High school, which she found on the website of Volunteer The Hague. Which organisation do you volunteer for? What is their mission? The ‘Taaldorp’ or ‘language village’ at Veurs lyceum is a French speaking assignment where students rotate between stalls which all recreate authentic situations that students might encounter in France (for instance a shop, a restaurant, a coffee chat with a friend etc). All stalls are held by French speakers, which helps put the students skills into practice. Photo credit: Karin Majoor, Veurs Lyceum What volunteer role do you have and what tasks do you perform? I volunteered at the Taaldrop this year and plan to go again next year. There, I held one of the stalls and assessed the student’s French speaking skills. I have been involved in different organisations in the past and always keep my eyes open for other opportunities where I can be helpful. I particularly enjoy working with education and with animals. What were your goals when you started volunteering for them? At first I wanted to get involved in the community of the Hague and expand my network. Now I look for opportunities where I can give back some of my time and skills while having some genuine connections with people. What do you currently enjoy about volunteering? I enjoy meeting new people who are passionate about their projects and discovering all the wonderful things happening in the city. It’s inspiring to see how many people are working to make a positive difference in their communities. During the Taaldorp, I particularly enjoyed connecting with my fellow volunteers, learning their stories and their motivations, as well as with the student who was assisting me in assessing the exercise. What do you find challenging? For me, the biggest challenge is finding the time. It can be difficult to fit volunteering into an already busy schedule and there are so many interesting projects and causes I would like to get involved with, but I also have to be realistic about what I can commit to. I’ve learnt that volunteering doesn’t necessarily have to mean making a huge commitment. Finding an opportunity that fits into my life allows me to keep contributing without taking on more than I can manage. What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role? Being French gives me the opportunity to share not only my language but also a little of the culture behind it. I enjoy being able to help bring the language to life and give students a chance to use what they have learnt in a practical setting. I think activities like Taaldorp are a lovely reminder that learning a language is also a way to discover another culture and connect with people. Anything that pleasantly surprised you about how things are done by your Dutch colleagues or recipients of your volunteer services? How easy it was once you look for it. There are so many things happening around the city and the country, and always a place for extra helping hands. Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work? I work in education, so I value any opportunity to get close to the classroom and learn how education colleagues take on the challenges of teaching, learning and assessing. Photo credit: Lorraine Besnier What piece of advice would you give to people who are considering volunteering? My advice would be to start small. You don’t need to commit to volunteering every week or devote huge amounts of time to make a difference. Even a few hours spent helping with a project can be valuable, both for the organisation and for you.

This month, PEP Den Haag's two volunteer programmes Volunteer The Hague and Den Haag Doet were invited to run a stand at a special event at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Leiden called 'Students and Society Fair.' In addition to their campus in Leiden, this university has a campus in The Hague with many international and Dutch students who could use our free online volunteer vacancy platforms. Students could talk to organisations that had open volunteer opportunities and faculty members could discuss potential research projects about the causes they are supporting through their services. Phtography credits: Leiden University, Faculty of Social Sciences At Volunteer The Hague, we see that many international students experience real fulfilment in volunteering in the local community. It gives them a sense of connection to their new city and a life beyond the campus bubble. Many also recognise that it makes them more competitive when applying for part-time jobs in The Hague, or for their first job in the Netherlands after graduating, than students who only have a degree to show. Local volunteering experience and professional references make a difference. It shows initiative and character to give some of your spare time towards improving society. Volunteering also lets them join a new team and do work with real-world impact, a welcome contrast to group projects done for a grade. Attending the fair granted us the unique chance to interview Francien Bouhuys, Coordinator and Policy advisor Career Service Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Leiden who is an advocate of volunteering for the students of her university. When asked to contrast international students and Dutch students about their approach to volunteering, she notes that her team sees “that international students are often very interested in volunteering. Many of them are also more familiar with it than Dutch students, because civic engagement or ‘community service’ is often already part of the (university) culture in their home countries.' She adds: 'Volunteering is a great way for them to gain practical experience, develop new skills (including language skills), build a network, and strengthen their position on the job market in a new country.' She comments that much of this also applies to Dutch students, although they are sometimes less aware of how valuable volunteering can be for their personal and professional development. She concludes that '”they tend to be more familiar with (extra)curricular activities such as internships, part-time jobs, student associations, and board positions.That is why we believe it is important to bring students and civil society organisations closer together, for example through this Students & Society Fair.” Leiden University states on their website that ”volunteers can be mentors, buddies, coaches, activity leaders, supervisors, client support assistants, team managers, committee members, fundraisers, communications assistants, marketing assistants, museum staff, coordinators, hosts/hostesses, readers (for people with reading disabilities), maintenance assistants.” These are the most common roles organisations advertise but Volunteer The Hague also offers more surprising roles on their online platform. Curious about what opportunities there are? Join us at our Mix and Match Volunteer Job Fair on Saturday, 28 November at the Social Hub The Hague for vacancies that won't be posted on our platform. There you can talk live to representatives of 30 non-profit organisations. Can't attend the fair, check our vacancies online as new ones come in regularly.

Not everyone wants to spend their volunteer hours in meetings or behind a desk. If you would rather roll up your sleeves and see the results of your effort right away, you're in luck. Practical volunteering is everywhere, and most of it needs no special qualifications, only willingness. Fix it. Do you like tinkering? Repair cafés are community events where volunteers mend bikes, toasters, lamps, and clothes for neighbors. They are very common in the Netherlands. You keep things out of the landfill and often chat with interesting people while you work. No expert skills? Many cafés welcome helpers who simply hold the screwdriver or make the coffee. Get behind the wheel. If you have a driving licence, many organizations need volunteer drivers to take people with mobility issues to medical appointments, shops, or social events. It can be the difference between a lonely week and a meaningful outing for someone. Other groups need drivers to collect and deliver donated furniture, clothes, or groceries to people who need them. Sort and organize. Food banks, charity shops, and donation centers rely on volunteers to sort, pack, and shelve goods. It's repetitive in the best way: put on some music, meet your fellow volunteers, and watch the boxes fill. Cook and garden. Community kitchens often need extra hands to prepare meals for people in need, while community gardens welcome anyone happy to dig, plant, and water. You'll get fresh air, new friends, and sometimes a bag of vegetables to take home. Knit with purpose. Prefer a quiet evening on the sofa? Knit scarves and blankets for people experiencing homelessness. Many projects let you personalize them with colors or a small handwritten note, which makes the gift feel seen and accepted. The best way to start is to pick one activity that matches your interests and search for a local group. Small actions add up, and your hands might be exactly what your city needs. Look up vacancies on the Volunteer The Hague platform to plan your next volunteer role!