2013 | In the Netherlands there are many foreigners including expats, diplomats and those with Dutch partners to name a few examples. They live here on a temporary basis or have emigrated permanently.
Their cultural identity is connected with their country of origin. Each country has its own values and norms. People who live abroad like to speak their native language. Intentionally or unintentionally, they cherish their culture: the holidays, the traditional cuisine and meeting each other. Their children often go to local or international English schools, making the link with their cultural background diluted. Foreign extracurricular schools in the Netherlands have arisen. From the Swedish, Greek, and German to the Japanese, Thai and Chinese schools. Lessons are either given in private buildings or in rented classrooms.
The children in these schools have something special. Their cultural identity differs from that of native Dutch children. They live in a foreign country with a different culture than that of home. Because they also go to a regular full-time Dutch school as well or have activities at Dutch clubs, they often speak Dutch too.
At their respective country of origin schools, the children are taught in their mother tongue: they learn reading, writing and they celebrate traditional holidays together at school. In a sense they learn to go native.
Their appearances reveal where they come from or where their parents come from.
