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

Moving to a new country can feel like starting life from scratch. At first, everything is exciting: new streets, new food, new routines, new possibilities. But after the first few weeks or months, reality kicks in. Suddenly you’re dealing with paperwork, apartment hunting, unfamiliar social rules, and the constant mental effort of listening to a language you may not fully understand yet. A lot of internationals also experience something else: loneliness. Even when you’re surrounded by people, it can be hard to feel truly connected to the place where you live. Many newcomers want to get involved in their community, meet locals, and do something meaningful, but they often stop themselves before they even begin. The reason? “My language skills aren’t good enough.” But here’s the thing: you absolutely do not need perfect Dutch to volunteer in The Hague. In fact, volunteering might be one of the best ways to feel at home in your new city even before you become fluent. Most Volunteer Work Doesn’t Require Perfect Language When people think about volunteering, they sometimes imagine roles that involve lots of talking, organizing, or formal communication. And yes, some volunteer positions do require advanced language skills. But many others really don’t. A lot of volunteering is simply about showing up and helping. Community gardens need people to plant flowers and pull weeds. Food banks need help sorting donations and packing boxes. Festivals and community events need people to set up tables, welcome visitors, and help things run smoothly. You don’t need perfect grammar to hand out meals or help clean a park. Most organizations care far more about whether you’re reliable, friendly, and willing to help than whether you can pronounce challening Dutch words like “gezellig” or “Scheveningen.” Volunteering Is a Great Way to Meet People Naturally One of the hardest parts of living abroad is meeting people outside your usual circle. It’s easy to stay inside the “expat bubble,“ spending time only with colleagues, classmates, or other internationals. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it can sometimes make it harder to feel connected to your new home. Volunteering changes the dynamic completely. Instead of awkward small talk or networking events, you’re doing something together. You already have a shared purpose, which makes conversations feel more natural and less stressful. You might chat while planting trees, preparing food, organizing supplies, or setting up chairs before an event. The pressure disappears because the focus isn’t on speaking perfectly: it’s on participating which is often how real connections begin. Some Volunteer Roles Are Especially International-Friendly If you’re worried about language barriers, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities that are especially welcoming to non-native speakers. Volunteer The Hague's online platform showcases them so that you can pick one that suits your values and set of skills. Some good examples include: Environmental clean-up projects Community gardens Animal shelters Charity shops Food banks International festivals Sports events Refugee support organizations English conversation groups Cultural organizations Many international organizations already work in English or in multilingual environments, especially in bigger cities and university towns. Even in local organizations, people are usually much more understanding about inclusion than you expect. You Actually Bring Valuable Skills A lot of internationals underestimate what they can offer. You may feel insecure because you’re still learning the language, but you probably bring skills and experiences that local organizations genuinely appreciate. International volunteers often have: Multilingual abilities Cross-cultural awareness Adaptability International work or study experience Fresh perspectives Strong problem-solving skills Plus, many communities are becoming increasingly international themselves. Organizations often want volunteers who understand what it feels like to be new somewhere. Volunteering Can Help You Learn the Language Faster Ironically, many people wait until they feel “fluent enough” to volunteer when in fact volunteering itself can actually help them improve their language skills. Language classes are useful, of course. But real-life interaction is where confidence really grows. When you volunteer, you hear everyday expressions, casual conversations, jokes, and practical vocabulary in real situations. You start picking up how people naturally communicate. And because nobody expects perfection, there’s usually far less pressure than in a classroom. You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. But little by little, things start feeling easier. You Don’t Have to Commit Every Weekend Another common misconception is that volunteering requires a huge amount of time. It doesn’t. If you look at Volunteer The Hague's volunteer vacancies you can select “one off” when doing a search. Many organizations are happy to have occasional help. You can volunteer at a one-day event, help during a weekend festival, or join a monthly community project. Even a few hours can make a difference, both for the organization and for you. Sometimes Belonging Starts Small Learning a language takes time. Feeling at home in a new country takes time too. But belonging doesn’t suddenly appear the day you become fluent. Sometimes it starts with very small moments: sharing coffee after an event, laughing over a misunderstanding, helping carry boxes, planting flowers with strangers, or recognizing familiar faces at a local project. Volunteering gives you the chance to stop feeling like a visitor and start feeling like part of the community. Remember, you don’t need perfect language skills for that. You just need to start!

Join the Talent for Good Forum, an immersive experience designed to give you the skills, the connections, and deeper insights to navigate the next steps in your career. Open to anyone interested in exploring impact-driven careers and the future of meaningful work. When: Thu 4 Jun 2026 11:00 - 18:30 The Hague University of Applied Sciences, 2521 EN Why the Forum? The Talent for Good Forum is organised by The Hague Humanity Hub in partnership with The Hague University of Applied Sciences, and with the support of the major universities and higher education institutions in The Hague. This year, we’re moving beyond the traditional career fair to create a knowledge-driven experience that combines direct career access with expert-led dialogue, interactive sessions, and meaningful networking. Hosted in the heart of The Hague, the International City of Peace and Justice, the Forum brings together student energy, professional expertise, and organisations working to shape a more just, sustainable, and resilient future. Morning Programme 11:00-13:30 – Career Fair Meet the IGOs, NGOs, government entities, and mission-driven businesses that make up The Hague’s peace and justice ecosystem. Whether you are looking for inspiration, exploring internship and volunteer opportunities, or considering a professional leap, this is where you discover organisations, build your network, and explore career pathways. 11:00-12:00 - Skills Workshops Sharpen your skillset through a series of interactive, hands-on workshops facilitated by leading NGOs, IGOs, and professionals. Whether you're developing negotiation skills, learning about fundraising careers, or practising networking techniques, these sessions are designed to help you stand out in an impact-driven field. Afternoon Programme 13:00-13:45 - Keynotes Join the conversation on our 2026 theme: “Shaping Trust in the Future.” Hear insights from HRH Princess Laurentien van Oranje and Emma Wedner, Chairperson Council of Europe Advisory Council on Youth, on how can you help rebuild trust in communities, institutions, movements, and more, as you kickstart your impact-driven career in an era of misinformation and global instability. 14:00-15:30 - Breakout Sessions Join one of 15 interactive breakout sessions and explore what rebuilding trust in the future could mean in practice. Together with fellow participants and expert facilitators, you will exchange ideas and perspectives on themes ranging from multilateralism and international development to AI, climate, media, and international business. 15:45-17:00 - Expert Panel The closing panel explores how the next generation of professionals and changemakers can contribute to stronger, more trusted institutions, communities, and movements. It is a cross-sector panel featuring leaders including the Chair College Rechten van de Mens, CoE Advisory Council on Youth, Settly, and others. 17:00-18:30 - Networking Reception Conclude the day with an informal networking reception and continue conversations with fellow participants, speakers, and professionals from across the ecosystem. Find the full programme and all information at Talent for Good Forum - 4 June 2026 Some of the sectors you will meet Peace, Justice & Democracy – Be at the heart of The Hague’s global mission. Tech for Good & AI Responsibility – Navigate the ethics of the latest digital developments. Climate & Sustainability – Drive the transition to a greener, fairer world. Security & Resilience – Build stronger communities in uncertain times. Plus: Governance, Development and Human Rights, Impact Entrepreneurship, and Art and Culture.

Stichting Wool of Warmth is organising a flea market at their premise. You can expect some furniture, arts and crafts, CDs and more. They collect wool and organize knitting groups that knit for people who are experiencing homelessness in The Hague. Date: May 6-20, 2026 Time: 11.00 - 18:00 Location: Wilhelmina van Pruisenweg 55, 2595 AN Den Haag No time to go durign these dates but you would like to volunteer for them?