National Volunteer Day – Let’s meet Heiner!
‘’What I like most about working at The Hague International Centre is to meet people from all over the world. We really try to look at the person behind the professional!‘’
During ‘National Volunteer Day’, which takes place annually on 7 December, many organisations place their volunteers in the spotlight. The Hague International Centre would like to use this opportunity to thank our ACCESS volunteers for their efforts.
Heiner works for ACCESS at The Hague International Centre. After commuting between Germany and The Hague for 17 years, he settled down in The Hague in 2012.
Almost all ACCESS volunteers lived abroad themselves. They know what it is like to start working and living in a country where you have not been before. Because of this, Heiner appreciates the face-to-face contact with newly arrived internationals. Heiner especially likes to pay attention to the spouses who arrive together with the professionals. He understands that many of them could use some extra support on the social aspect, just like he did once.
ACCESS responds to many of the questions people have while they are considering relocating to the Netherlands, as they arrive and settle, as well as when they are already living in the Netherlands. Through the ACCESS Helpdesk - which can be contacted via email, telephone, or in person at international centres like The Hague International Centre – ACCESS provides personalised service. Heiner likes to help internationals who are looking for answers, he keeps the ACCESS database filled with resources up-to-date.
What Heiner likes most about The Hague are the friendly people and the city’s international image of Peace and Justice. Heiner is very happy with his decision to come to The Hague.
Heiner’s insider tip:
‘’If you are about to stay in The Hague for longer than a year, try to learn the Dutch language. The Dutch highly appreciate it if you take the effort to speak their language. Language is the key to the culture.’’
About ACCESS
ACCESS is a not-for-profit organisation established in The Hague in 1986 to encourage, support, assist and facilitate internationals coming to The Hague for business, research, or diplomatic posting. It is completely managed and staffed by volunteers, providing a service that is unique in the entire world. Since 2012 ACCESS has partnered with the municipality of The Hague at The Hague International Centre, which provides international staff with a full-service entry point into The Hague region. Through the facilitation of registration, formalities and a welcoming orientation to The Hague, ACCESS supports the human resources departments of The Hague's businesses and universities.