Have you ever given a thought about doing a Netherlands internship? You could of course take an internship in your own hometown, but that sounds a bit boring, especially when nowadays it’s so easy to work, intern, and study abroad pretty much anywhere in the world you want.
Why are Netherlands internships at the top of our list? Because it’s the Netherlands, the country with the happiest people in the world, open to all backgrounds, English fluency, and an incredible view towards life. Currently there are international students from over 164 countries studying and interning in the Netherlands, which means that you have great opportunities to make friends from all over the world and experience a plethora of cultures.
There are a lot of things to consider before moving to the Netherlands, starting with budget, accommodations (and figuring out if you should share rent), learning where and how to shop, adapting to the Dutch lifestyle, and thriving in your new work environment.
But before any of that, it’s important to know WHY internships in the Netherlands are the best! (Be prepared to get hyped up in 3, 2, 1…) Check out our reasons why Netherlands internships should be your go to choice right now.
Why find internships in the Netherlands?
1. The work-life balance
Most people struggle with finding a balance between their work life and their own personal life. The Dutch have possibly the best work-life balance in the world, so much so that they ranked first for work-life balance in 2018, making them famous for their relaxed approach and happy people.
During your Netherlands internship, you will learn how the Dutch work 35-40 hours per week with little overtime and still manage to be efficient at their work. And by law, you are not allowed to work more than 60 hours per week; you will be surprised to find out that most people actually have part-time jobs.
With this kind of a schedule, you’ll be able to do the things that you enjoy, like going on that morning jog, cycling with your new friends, or visiting exciting places on weekend getaways.
2. Language barriers — there are none!
About 75% of the Dutch population either speaks fluent English, or have enough English vocabulary to at least guide you around. Most fluent English speakers are the younger population, and in big cities like Amsterdam or The Hague everyone speaks English….Sometimes the Dutch even joke about their own language slowly dying.
All that to say you will have absolutely no trouble getting around, making conversation, and connecting with people. And you can also learn a little bit of Dutch, and throw out some dank je wel (thank you) or fijne avond (good evening) when you’ve done your grocery shopping at Albert Heijn. You’ll also be happy to know that Dutch TV is actually English TV with Dutch subtitles.
3. A great commuter system
If you’ve ever sat in a traffic jam and been late to work or school, then you’ll understand how important great commuter opportunities are. Luckily, the Dutch identified this issue early on and have designed their commuting system accordingly.
Forget about being tardy or getting stuck on crowded buses on a sunny day, because cycling is a main form of transportation in the Netherlands; Amsterdam alone has over 800,000 cyclers. With strict rules and regulations, and bicycle lanes on the streets, cycling around Amsterdam is just a joy.
This type of commute will save you money, keep you in shape, get you to your destination on time, and help the environment in the process too. Look at you! Buses, trams, car-sharing, trains, and airports are also available in the Netherlands, making it easy to navigate anywhere you want.
4. It’s safe
The Netherlands is ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low crime rate. By 2019 the Netherlands has closed over half of its prisons all around the country. Of course, in urban areas like Amsterdam or at crowded events you should still be aware of pickpocketing.
Walking around Amsterdam, if you didn’t already know, you’ll soon notice how open minded the Dutch are, and a stroll through the Red Light District is completely normal, as well as visiting the famous coffee shops.
When you’re in a new country or city, you can easily get overwhelmed, so knowing you will be safe and welcomed at all times can really put your mind at ease. You will also never stand out because the international community in the Netherlands is quite prominent.
5. Traveling opportunities
Because the Netherlands is such a small country, having a weekend away in a neighboring country is incredibly easy and accessible. After you’ve seen the tulips at Keukenhof garden, explored Amsterdam’s canals, enjoyed the sights of windmills, tasted almost every combination of cuisine, art and culture, you may be in need of a change of scenery.
If you’re anywhere close to Maastricht, with its vibrant cultural scene, you can easily make it to Belgium or Germany within the hour. Cities like Aachen, Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels are only some of the most popular attractions and you should not leave without seeing them; cities such as Cologne, Tilburg, Liège, or Düsseldorf are also worth a visit.
The infamous tri-border area, where Germany meets the Netherlands and Belgium, is a must-see; you can also take the train to France or drive to Luxembourg — the opportunities are endless.
6. Tons of fun internship opportunities
As one of the most stable and rich economies, and with one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the EU, the Netherlands offers incredible jobs, studying, and internship opportunities for expats.
You can directly apply at companies like Booking.com, Shell, Heineken, Adyen, or Philips, and you can even try your luck at applying for an internship at the NATO HQ close to Maastricht. Now that would look good on anyone’s resume.
If you’re looking for a more organized experience with less of the headache of figuring things out yourself, sign up for Netherlands internship programs offered by organizations such as Forum-Nexus and SIT. Your entire itinerary will be organized for you, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
7. Lifestyle and culture
The standard of living is very high in the Netherlands, and the Dutch’s life expectancy is among the longest in the world. The Dutch pride themselves on their high quality of air and water, and top ranks in employment and education; they are also very welcoming and hospitable, as well as open and direct, but not in a rude way. When you greet and leave, you always shake hands, and occasionally give three kisses on the cheek.
Besides its great lifestyle and historic buildings, canals, and tulips, the Dutch culinary culture has some famous items, such as the patat (a Dutch version of french fries), bitterballen (deep fried meatballs), stroopwafel, raw herring, croquettes from a vending machine (you’ll never go hungry!), oliebollen (deep fried dumplings, yumm!), endless cheese variations, and delicious beer. This trip is going to be like a daily festival of flavors.
The Dutch also love their festivals and traditions. You will soon develop a love and fascination for the Sinterklaas, the modified Dutch version of Santa Claus, that actually comes on the night of December 5th to December 6th. This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit early on, visit Christmas markets, and attend holiday gatherings.
And then there are the seasonal carnivals that offer great street food and refreshing beers, Sunday markets where you can buy fresh groceries, and the renowned Pink Pop festival that brings millions of people to the Netherlands each year.
8. Incredible study opportunities
Studying and doing an internship in the Netherlands is one of the best experiences anyone can have. If you want to continue studying and get a degree, this can be easily done in the Netherlands at any of its world-class international universities.
Most of these offer classes taught completely in English, making the Netherlands a top non-English speaking country for courses taught in English; Maastricht University is especially popular with expats and international students.
Other cities like Eidhoved, Utrecht, Leiden, Rotterdam, and, of course, Amsterdam also offer top-notch education at all their international universities. As a student, it makes it even easier to find Netherlands internships, and if you get a taste of the Dutch life, we have a feeling you might want to hang around there for a while.
Get a degree in the Netherlands while you’re also doing an internship, and you’ll have endless job opportunities to choose from!
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Your future Netherlands internship is calling!
Internships in the Netherlands are waiting for you right now! And if you don’t like the cold and rainy weather, you’d best go during the spring or summer semester. However, you would not be enjoying the Netherlands to the fullest if you did not warm up with a cup of hot coffee topped with some whipped cream and stroopwafel while you wait for your french soup. The Netherlands is like a fairytale land during winter and Christmas season, so you’d be really missing out on some fun!
The only dangerous thing about internships in the Netherlands is that you will have such a great time that you will not want to leave. And that’s okay — we get it! Work hard, play hard, and maybe turn that Netherlands internship into a Netherlands JOB.
Explore ALL Your Options for Netherlands Internships on GoAbroad.com
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