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2007 event

Expatica's "i am not a tourist" Fair helps internationals get a grip on life in the Netherlands

On Sunday, 21 October 2007, nearly 4,000 internationals gathered at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam to get expert advice, resources, and information on living life in the Netherlands. Behind this gathering was Expatica Communication's 4th annual "i am not a tourist" Fair, which showcased over 90 exhibitors in expatriate services such as banking, insurance, investment, education, and taxes.

Managing Partner Antoine van Veldhuizen said this year's fair was a success in that it helped thousands of internationals find their way in a foreign land. "Each year we get a great deal of positive feedback about this event," he said. "Living abroad is not easy, so we at Expatica are happy we can provide a one-day opportunity where people can access the resources they need, face-to-face."

Visitors also were enthusiastic about this year's fair. The week after the event, one of them sent in the following feedback: "I was really impressed by the location and the way everything was organized. I am so, because I have seen other expat-fairs and so far, I thought this was the best one. In my eyes, it looked very professional, the stands were of good quality, tidy, structured, with enough space for the exhibitors. Guides were helpful with every single question I had. I enjoyed it very much and got to know some very interesting people."

"i am not a tourist" 2007 hosted several seminars and workshops, including Job Hunting Advice, Could You Be an Expat Entrepreneur?, Mortgages in the Netherlands - How does it work?, and Exploding the Myth that Dutch is Difficult to Learn. "We geared this year's seminars around the essentials of living a successful life in the Netherlands. Internationals want to know more about how they can not only live happily, but also prosper monetarily," stated van Veldhuizen. There were also more light-hearted aspects to the event such as women dancing on clogs, a standup comedy show by Greg Shapiro, a sushi-making workshop and wine tasting.

Nearly 20 groups and clubs attended to attain new members and chat with attendees about the value of connecting with other internationals in a social setting. Jami Davis, an Expatica employee and international herself, said joining a club can be an invaluable tool for fending off culture shock and loneliness in a foreign land. "This event is not only good for getting the essential information in an area like banking, but also for connecting with other people in the same situation," she said. "Joining a group or club can really add something special to life abroad, whereas in one's homeland it might not be so important."

The fifth anniversary of the "i am not a tourist" Fair will take place on Sunday, 12 October, at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam and will have some new lifestyle features.

Expatica would like to thank Sieto Verver for taking pictures at the 2007 "i am not a tourist" Fair.