How to make Dutch friends?

After 2.5 years of living in the Netherlands, I’ve been fortunate to meet so many amazing people that this blog alone isn’t enough to tell you about all of them. As an international student, I know how exciting yet challenging it can be to make connections in a place far from home. That’s why I’d like to share some stories about how I met my closest Dutch friends, and I hope my experience will inspire you to find your own Nederlandse vrienden!

Dutch grandparents

Right away, I want to introduce you to my “Dutch grandparents,” Hugo and Barbara, who became dear friends of mine when I first arrived in the Netherlands. We met through the host family I was staying with, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. I feel a lot of love and attention from them. Hugo, for example, gives me Dutch lessons, and Barbara shares with me her delicious Dutch recipes. I believe it is important to always respond to kindness with sincere gratitude. That’s why I always try to give them something nice in return, even if it’s something small, like a simple gesture of appreciation.

Common interests

Other wonderful friends of mine are Maartje, Jaap, and their son Bram. With them, we actually met through Hugo and quickly discovered that we share many common interests. They gave me tips on running when I was training for the marathon (they’re dedicated runners themselves), and Jaap, knowing about my passion for law, once took me to court to see him in action. We’ve also gone on a few trips around the Netherlands together. They’ve shared Dutch customs with me, while I’ve introduced them to my Ukrainian culture. We often laugh when we find surprising similarities between our countries. It may seem like we come from different worlds, but exchanging experiences has brought us closer together, deepening our friendship along the way.

Hobbies

Outside of university, most of my Dutch friends have come from the hobbies I do. One of my favorite free-time activities is capoeira. Back in Kharkiv, my capoeira teacher used to say, “If you’re a Capoeirista, you’ll find friends all over the world.” I found the proof of these words in the Netherlands. My capoeira friends in Haarlem often invite me to events like Batizados, seminars, birthdays, and parties. In Capoeira, it doesn’t matter where you’re from or what language you speak, because we connect through the language of movement and music. After attending my first Capoeira seminar in Haarlem, I wanted to give something back to the community, so I started giving Capoeira lessons in Middelburg (where I live). There, I met Jeluz, who later invited me to join him for acrobatics classes. In return, I’ve invited him to activities organised by my university. This cycle of sharing and connecting feels endless, in the best possible way.

Part-time job

Also if you get a job, it is also very easy to make friends with your colleagues. For example, I became friends with a cook from the café where I worked. He helped me when I was moving into my student apartment, and just recently, I asked him to remind me of the recipe for the Dutch boterkoek that he taught me to make a long time ago.

So yeah, do not be afraid to explore the corners of your local area in the Netherlands and say yes to opportunities. Sooner or later, you will bump into someone who, just like you, is happy to expand their circle of friends.