Schooling questions & Moving to Holland

Last activity 13 September 2018 by Cynic

1087 Views

1 replies

Post new topic

zoutdropMember13 September 2018 00:50:36

Hoi!

I am speaking with a company in the Amsterdam area that is interested in hiring me for an engineering position. If I accept, I will be relocating my family (wife, six-year-old, eleven-year-old, and a sixteen-year-old) to Holland.

As it pertains to a school, I have nearly zero concerns about my youngest quickly picking up the language and adapting. The other two could be a bit more difficult. International schools are out of the question due to the cost (6k - 25k/ year per student!), so I am searching for advice and other options.

Has anyone relocated with children similar in age?

CynicUK / Netherlands Expert13 September 2018 09:04:21

7633

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

It's great that you have the chance to work in a great country, but you have spotted the problem with the education of your kids.

I agree with you regarding your youngest, it shouldn't be a problem; our experience of using the Dutch school system for our English speaking kids at that age was good; he/she will pick up Dutch and integrate in no time.

For the other 2, school is compulsory for all in Holland up to the age of 18. You should be aware that you're probably choosing the worse possible age for your 11-year old because, at 12 years old, they get streamed into different groups and the "streams" are based on individual ability. If their Dutch (spoken, written and reading) is not at a native level, they will be streamed into VMBO/MBO which, unless he/she is extremely bright and gets there Dutch up to the native level, means they will not go to University. The whole VMBO/MBO stream is aimed at vocational qualifications (so, mechanic as opposed to engineer).

Your 16-year old will have real issues because he/she will be streamed MBO from day one and have no real chance of a University education in Holland.

Having said all the above, you know your kids (I don't), if they are very bright, are good with languages and take this as a challenge, it could probably be the making of them - who knows.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Articles to help you in your expat project in Amsterdam

Studying in Amsterdam
If you want to pursue higher education in Amsterdam at a publicly funded research university, then you have ...
Working in Amsterdam
Over 918,000 people live in Amsterdam, which means there's a bit of competition when it comes to jobs. Add in ...
Accommodation in Amsterdam
Sorting out the proper visas to move to the Netherlands is just the first hurdle in your big move to Amsterdam. ...
Developing your social circle in Amsterdam
In your move to Amsterdam, you may already have some friends or acquaintances in the country. However, it may not ...
Things to do on weekdays in Amsterdam
Perhaps you're a student, a freelancer, or someone who works minimal hours. Whatever it is, you've got ...
The work culture in Amsterdam
While you may be used to a work-to-live mentality, especially if you come from the US corporate world, you may be ...
Buying property in Amsterdam
They always say that paying money towards a mortgage is better than spending money on rent, as you won't own ...
Getting around Amsterdam
While there isn't one single correct way to travel around Amsterdam, there still may be ones that are better ...