Alyssaur
Active Member
I'm not sure about Holland's policy regarding immigrants and integration, but I would hope it is similar to Finland's in that they really want you to successfully integrate and be productive in the community.
If possible, I would suggest going to the unemployment office in your area and seeing if they can set you up with a language course as soon as possible -- preferably one that lasts for 6-9 months with the possibilty of work-practice in between, or after the course.
History and culture is something you can learn on your own, but there's only so much of the language you can pick up on your own. Plus, it really helps to be taught a language correctly from the beginning, rather than having to correct learned mistakes later on.
I moved to Finland this past summer and after asking around at the unemployment office, I immediatly got set up with this great 9 month course.
I've been in the course for about three weeks now and I already feel like I can get around without my husband translating for me all of the time.
It helps to have a teacher really loves her job too. I can imagine how much harder it would be to learn Finnish if our teacher wasn't interested in teaching us.
Anyway, I really hope your situation improves. I know how difficult it is to be in a new country where you can't understand anyone and vice versa.
Even if their way of life is not so different from your home country, being able to communicate is a huge deal.
If possible, I would suggest going to the unemployment office in your area and seeing if they can set you up with a language course as soon as possible -- preferably one that lasts for 6-9 months with the possibilty of work-practice in between, or after the course.
History and culture is something you can learn on your own, but there's only so much of the language you can pick up on your own. Plus, it really helps to be taught a language correctly from the beginning, rather than having to correct learned mistakes later on.
I moved to Finland this past summer and after asking around at the unemployment office, I immediatly got set up with this great 9 month course.
I've been in the course for about three weeks now and I already feel like I can get around without my husband translating for me all of the time.
It helps to have a teacher really loves her job too. I can imagine how much harder it would be to learn Finnish if our teacher wasn't interested in teaching us.
Anyway, I really hope your situation improves. I know how difficult it is to be in a new country where you can't understand anyone and vice versa.
Even if their way of life is not so different from your home country, being able to communicate is a huge deal.