Name: Julie
Home country: United Kingdom
Occupation: Founder and Queen Bee of Buzz Business Networking
Time living in the Netherlands: since August 2018
How has Leiden International Centre helped you?
I’ve had an amazing experience with the Leiden International Centre; we registered for our BSN number there. The appointment was set up by our settlement company, so that was seamless. Their website has lots of useful information about the basics, such as healthcare and other topics. Additionally, I’ve been a regular attendee of their ‘Meet and mingle’. These monthly meet ups are a great opportunity to meet other internationals and Dutch people in the city and visit different locations.
What is your experience of living and working in the Leiden region as an international?
I’ve found it really easy to settle in. Learning the language has helped as well as getting out and meeting people, people are so friendly and helpful. It’s easy to get around either by bike or train because everything is very close. I regularly pop down to Rotterdam or Amsterdam for work. This is a lot easier than my commute used to be when I lived in Edinburgh. Also, there is always something going on in and around the Leiden region, and if not, just to chill by a canal or on a terrace is great.
Why did you choose to come to Leiden?
It was a happy accident that my husband's company put him in a hotel in Leiden instead of The Hague once or twice. From wandering round the canals and historic streets he told we needed to come and check it out as an option and once we’d visited, we fell in love with the city. We started by renting a canal house very close to the city and have now settled on the outskirts but can be in the city centre within 10 minutes by bike.
What was it like to set up your own business in the Netherlands?
My first business was a partnership (VOF) not so long after I moved here. Once I registered at the KVK in The Hague we did have to find out our own way with a registered address and an accountant. But The Netherlands couldn’t be any easier as most people and companies speak English. When setting up a business it really does help to have likeminded business owners to support you, which is why myself and some other entrepreneurs set up a Facebook group. There we share our knowledge, tips, funding, and resources visit https://smallbusinessconnections.nl/. If you’re moving here and not sure where to start with establishing a business here, let’s have a cup of coffee and a chat, get in touch: https://linkaroo.me/julie_taylor
