"Our children attend the Wereldwijzer school (www.wereldwijzereindhoven.nl)", says Joseph. This school teaches a one-year course and has been established especially for children who do not speak Dutch yet. In this year they get to know the language well, for at school they only speak Dutch. After a year they can then go to an 'ordinary' primary school."

Sandra adds: "When Joseph came to the Netherlands with the children, the municipality told us that we could simply turn to the primary school that was located nearest to us. This proved to be otherwise. That primary school has a waiting list and, besides, it was important that our children should speak Dutch. They could not do so then yet. Indirectly we then heard about the Wereldwijzer. This is a school that we can really recommend to anyone. While the initiative may be reasonably new, it is very valuable. After a year your children are able to go to an ordinary primary school. My 10-year-old son now speaks Dutch better than I do, so when we go shopping he tells people what we need."

According to Sandra the two children are settling in fast. "Of course they miss the free environment of Kenya, their friends and the weather. They always used to play outdoors there, which is quite different here. Still, they really loved the snow here, it was the first time they experienced such a snowfall."

For Joseph, too, it was the first winter in the Netherlands. He is mainly involved with Dutch lessons now: "The language forms a great obstacle, in everyday life and also when applying for a job. In Kenya I studied geography and in the Netherlands I am looking for a doctoral position. Which is difficult to find if your command of Dutch is insufficient. Just think of most websites: they are in Dutch. That is why I am now focusing especially on learning the language."

Joseph and Sandra think it would be a good thing if more help was provided to partners of expats. "If you come here, everything is very neatly arranged: TU/e helps with permits, housing et cetera. When you are here longer, though, other questions emerge, like looking for a job. It would be very welcome if there were more assistance in that respect. If only a telephone number that you can call, for there are so many questions."(HB)