Dutch Girl in London

art & culture | street art | travel | London | expat life

by Dutch Girl in London

Growing up in the Netherlands as a Second-Generation Immigrant

It’s funny to realise that while I might be a first-generation immigrant here in the UK, growing up in the Netherlands I was in fact a second-generation immigrant. I don’t think I’ve ever been discriminated. I’ve only experienced some of your ‘normal’ degree of prejudice at the most. But there are some moments that I still remember to this day that made me realise I had a different ethnical background than most of my Dutch classmates.

by Dutch Girl in London

The Expat Files #1: Hoe mijn emigratie mijn leven en beeld over Nederland heeft veranderd

On the first Sunday of the month I always write a Dutch-language blog post. // Vandaag de eerste aflevering van de nieuwe blogserie ‘The Expat Files’. Hierin deel ik niet alleen mijn eigen ervaringen als een Nederlandse expat, maar ook van andere Nederlanders in het buitenland én ook van immigranten in Nederland. In deze eerste aflevering vertel ik je over hoe mijn emigratie niet alleen mijn leven, maar ook mijn beeld op Nederland(ers) heeft veranderd!

by Dutch Girl in London

Reflections #14: This Month I Experienced Every Expat’s Nightmare

In today’s personal review of October, brought to for you from Braga in Portugal: when a family emergency makes expat life less glamorous and of course my film and TV tips and travel stories.

by Dutch Girl in London

What’s in a Name? Dutch Government Bans ‘Holland’ in Favour of ‘The Netherlands’

Tell me, do you use the name ‘Holland’ or ‘The Netherlands’ when you speak of my mother country? Despite its common usage, the Dutch government recently announced they want to ban ‘Holland’ and rebrand the country’s name internationally. Why are they so eager to initiate such a huge and expensive undertaking? Find out in this blog post!

by Dutch Girl in London

The Dutch Girl Tales #18: Heb jij Nationale Broer en Zus Dag gevierd?

Once a month I write a Dutch-language blog post. Today’s post is about National Brother and Sister Day. // 30 september was het Nationale Broer en Zus Dag. Daarom vandaag een blog over mijn broer!

by Dutch Girl in London

Reflections #13: If You Don’t Hear From Me Again After this Message, Call for Help

In today’s personal review of September: today I’ll be fighting my way out of an immense art maze for adults, while earlier this month I went to my first networking event and visited one of the most exploitative museums I’ve ever been to.

by Dutch Girl in London

Global Climate Strike: How Students Managed to Unite the World

They say children are the future. Witnessing this week’s global climate strike I think this saying has never been so appropriate. What started with the 16-year old Greta Thunberg Friday’s for Future weekly one-person demonstrations, has now grown into a global movement.

by Dutch Girl in London

“Always Have Sex for Love, Always Write for Love” – Finding Your Unique Voice

Do you sometimes push yourself to step outside of your comfort zone? I did so this last weekend when I attended my first networking event. I absolutely dreaded it beforehand, but in the end it turned out to be a life-changer. How? Find out in this personal blog post!

by Dutch Girl in London

5 Films to Look Forward to this Autumn

With the shorter days and fickle weather these last days, there’s no escaping that autumn is coming. And what better way to escape from the gloomy outside world than immersing yourself in the magic of cinema? Get some great film tips in today’s post about 5 films to look forward to this autumn!

by Dutch Girl in London

Reflections #12: When Your Doctor Says You’re Old (and more about my month)

In today’s personal review of August: my first solo stay in a hotel, our day trip to magnificent Bath in Somerset, art & film tips and so much more!

by Dutch Girl in London

Memory: The Origins of Alien

What is your favourite science fiction film? Mine is Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’. Just like me, this iconic film turned 40 this year. And to celebrate this special event, director Alexandre O. Philippe made the documentary ‘Memory: The Origins of Alien’, showing never-before-seen materials, interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.

by Dutch Girl in London

From Kissing to Birthdays: 5 Things I’ve Had to Relearn Being Dutch in the UK

It’s already over 7 years ago I dragged three suitcases full of my belongings on a plane from Amsterdam to London. Although I still feel very Dutch and am often baffled by certain British habits, by now I might be more integrated than I realise. From the way I answer the phone to greeting friends, here are 5 things I’ve had to relearn being Dutch in the UK.

by Dutch Girl in London

The Dutch Girl Tales #17: Mijn Top 5 Nederlandstalige guilty pleasures

Once a month I write a blog post in Dutch. Today I’m revealing my Top 5 Dutch music guilty pleasures. // Geïnspireerd door het zomerse weer, heb ik mijn favoriete Nederlandstalige liedjes voor je op een rijtje gezet. Ik ben erg benieuwd of jij je ook kunt vinden in mijn top 5 Nederlandstalige guilty pleasures!

by Dutch Girl in London

Film Review: ‘Heavy Trip’ – A Finnish Black Metal Comedy

The unconventional feel-good movie ‘Heavy Trip’, a Finnish comedy about an upcoming amateur black metal band, has been hailed as the Scandi version of the cult film ‘This is Spinal Tap’. Even if you’re not the biggest metalhead, the bizarre adventures of this ambitious metal quartet will rock your socks off!

by Dutch Girl in London

Reflections #11: Dark Tourism, Dining in the Jungle and Memorable London Tours

On the last Sunday of the month I always look back on what I’ve been up to in the past weeks. What were my personal highlights? What films and series did I watch? What exhibitions did I visit and which countries did I travel to? Find the answers in my Reflections on July.