Hi there

Let me introduce myself! My name is Ramon and I am from the Netherlands. I'm 27 and a cross-media student.
Yes, the topic title might sound a little confusing coming from a Dutch person...

Let me explain. Last year I lived in Berlin, I returned to Holland this June.
I moved there together with my (current ex) girlfriend. She went for an internship. I just graduated and decided to tag along, and experience living abroad for a year.

I loved living in Berlin, it is a wonderful city and, since it has about 3.3 million people, it is a very international and happening place to be.
Now, I have been back in Holland (I live in Utrecht) for a while and I miss living in Berlin soooooo much!!!
The thing is, I had some German friends, a few Dutch friends but mostly, I met a lot of English speaking people. So I spoke a lot of English while I lived there.

Secondly, my ex girlfriend has English speaking family, so even back home I was used to speak English on a very regular base.
Unfortunately, she broke up with me about a month ago (in a horrible way, but I won't get into that ) and now, I am basically back here in Holland, with only Dutch speaking people around me... and I am fed up with that!

I miss having international people around me! I miss speaking English and learning simple things about foreign countries. Coming from a huge buzzing city like Berlin to small town Utrecht, with ONLY Dutch people is just.... f-ing boring... Well I guess you can imagine how I feel.

So if you're in Holland and feel like you could use a friend, please contact me! I am a nice guy and I can also help you with some Dutch related things (like learning Dutch, or helping you with legal/housing issues...whatever, you name it and I'll try to help you!)

Hope to hear from you!
Cheers
Ramon

"fuik klaar; nu wachten op paling."

ach so! du hast ein Schimmer am Himmel gesehen renounce your language and culture and join us buitenlanders! mwahahah.......

Berlin ist eine schöne Stadt, no doubt about that.

Ach, you are just going through the "break-up phase" period being just a month ago. After a few months you'll be rockin again in Dutch.

But seriously, if you want some English stuff, just hang in here, post more and wrangle over with the frequent posters about topics on why they hate the Dutch; attend Expatica events (click What's On, there's an upcoming fair I believe); drop by in Amsterdam and bar hop - many waiters/waitresses in Amsterdams don't even speak Dutch, there you go!; and lastly, look for an international company to work for and you'll be speaking English from 9 to 5 you'll probably start dreaming in English too.

Join http://www.couchsurfing.org/, if only for the meetings.

haha, yeah it is true, I am going through a rough time... but I really meant what I said about missing some international contacts! But the couch surfing is a nice tip thanks!
and I will keep an eye on the events listed...

Hi my friend and I are both English and are always looking to make new friends! We live in the Hague but if you fancy meeting up for a drink or two this weekend let us know!

Hi Ramon,

I'm an American living in the Netherlands. I'm only 21 and I live in Lelystad with no money to travel, but I would love to chat online or talk on Skype or something. Just contact me if you'd like my details, I'm friendly and won't bite, I promise.

i also miss speaking English and being around english speaking people... but unfortunately, i think, other than my bjj instructor and partner.... we are the only ones who speak english in breda..well, at least to where we are!

You could also try:
http://www.meetup.com/

BJJ? what is that... aside from the really inappropriate thought I had <.<

Hi Ramon,
My sincere sympathies.
I don't think it's just english that you miss but the entire culture around it.
I'm from the US, I work in a international (english-speaking-mostly) office, and i'm DYING to go home, at least for a bit.

it's not the language I miss, it's the people. Since moving here I have made 0 friends.
I'm just mortified at how hard it is, and how easy it is to be forgotten.

Welcome to the group BTW.
It sounds like you may have more in common with us (Muwahahahahahaaaa) than your fellow dutchies now.

BJJ? what is that... aside from the really inappropriate thought I had <.<

Brazilian Jui Juitsui.
Instead of going crazy since i hardly have a social life...i joined BJJ. I have been here for a year and other than the people who train BJJ, thats all the 'friends' i got.

Sounds fun.
I recently found there's a Kendo school in Zwolle, I'm going to see if I can start lessons (thursday nights).
should be relaxing.. beating the hell out of people with sticks (and body armor) =]

Yes i heard about that school. If you like the rough play...its a pretty good stress reliever. Hopefully, the people you train with are cool people so you can have some form of a social life at least...

It seems their school is only in Meppel =[
I don't drive yet (still) so that may be down the crapper

And if they're not cool people you get to beat them with sticks every week. You can't lose!

hahaha..yeah. you can always take out the frustrations on the mat!!! also a good way to stay warm on this cold country!!!!

Lorelee, does BJJ has any relation with Capuira?

Hi Emilio. Other than they are both martial arts, i dont think so. BJJ is mostly grappling/wrestling..like the ones you see at UFC (minus the punching, kicking, etc). Capoeira, if im not mistaken, is more like a dancing martial art.

if you really want, i could ask my instructor if he knows any other school that offers it. just let me know which area your at.

Well two different areas ... I live in Zwolle, but Work in Amersfoort (schoothorst).
I am probably going to get an apartment here in Amersfoort for the week, as the commute is killing me, AND... I have a new round of inburgering les that makes rushing back to Zwolle to do just too hard.

So at the moment wither location Definitely Zwolle area for the weekends, and Amersfoort for the rest of the week.

BTW... anyone know of any cheap apartments/rooms in Amersfoort?