Photo journalist Shirley Agudo has lived in the Netherlands for 15 years and says she fits in very well with the more laidback way of life. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I came to the Netherlands from the US in 1993 with my former husband and our two daughters, on the basis of my husband’s job transfer to an American-owned fiberglass company in Hoogezand, in the north of Holland. We lived for five years in a beautiful... More >

Spanish businessman Rogelio Vargas has been in the Netherlands for seven years and plans to stay here indefinitely. How did you end up in the Netherlands? Due to a job with a French multinational, Orange, which belonged to the France Telecom Group. How do you describe yourself – an expat, lovepat, immigrant, international etc – and why? Internationally-minded person who has been living in several countries: USA, Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands. Right now I live in the Netherlands, but... More >

Carolyn Vines, who has been in the Netherlands for 15 years and likes to be known as a lovepat. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I moved here with my then Dutch boyfriend. How do you describe yourself – an expat, lovepat, immigrant, international etc – and why? A lovepat because I love the way it sounds. It always makes me laugh when I see or say it. How long do you plan to stay? Hmmmmm? Do you... More >

Tony Parr learned Dutch at a British university 35 years ago and likes his wife’s boerenkoolstamppot. How did you end up in the Netherlands? That’s a long story, but I’ll try and keep it short. I’m one of a very select band of individuals who can actually claim to have studied Dutch language and literature in the UK. I’d started out doing French and Latin at university, but very quickly found myself getting bored with both of them, which just... More >

Greek radio producer Nikos Koulousios is surprised by how much the Dutch love their kings and queens. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I came on an Erasmus student exchange programme and then continued and completed my studies in The Hague and Amsterdam. How do you describe yourself – an expat, lovepat, immigrant, international etc – and why? I am a citizen of the world. With a lap-top and a good internet connection, there are no real borders... More >

Sharyn van Ees-Cooper has been in the Netherlands for 10 years and would like to take a balloon trip over the Betuwe region. We ask her 10 questions about her life in the Netherlands. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I married a Dutchman whom I met in Vienna. His work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continuously takes us back to The Hague, which of course is the country’s seat of government. How do you describe yourself... More >

English woman Charlotte Bellamy has two bikes, a penchant for Dutch apple pie and misses fish and chips. What do you do? I am a photographer. I specialise in natural and relaxed family portraiture on location and equine photography. I also teach English language photography courses from my home and all over the Netherlands – I love my job! How did you end up in the Netherlands? My husband came to work with the Rabobank International team, and on the... More >

Aisling Casey is Irish and has been in the Netherlands for 17 years. She is principal oboist with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. We ask her 10 questions about her life in the Netherlands. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I met my (future) Dutch husband in the European Union Youth Orchestra and was studying oboe in Hannover, Germany when the co-principal oboe job came up with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. Since oboe jobs don’t come up very... More >

Ben Silburn, 45, is a computer programmer, presenter, writer and one of the chaps behind Easy Laughs. We ask him 10 questions about his life in the Netherlands. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I wanted a break from my writing job in London so I applied for short-term contracts anywhere in Europe. Amsterdam was the first place that offered me a job. I intended to stay for three months, that was twelve years ago… How do you... More >

American small business coach Stephanie Ward is puzzled by the loos on NS trains and does not want to know what is in bitterballen. What do you do? I show small business owners how to get more clients and grow their businesses. I’m a marketing coach. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I met a Dutch guy in a bar and two years later I moved to the Netherlands. We’re still together and still madly in love. How... More >

Peter Leggett has been in the Netherlands for 12 years. He likes deep-fried Dutch snacks and Zeeland and is definitely not an expat. How did you end up in the Netherlands? I was sent here by an old employer, Orange, to help with the change programme of re-branding Dutchtone to Orange NL. A one-year secondment basically. How do you describe yourself – an expat, lovepat, immigrant, international, etc – and why? Definitely not an expat. I live here, I am... More >