The Netherlands is a place full of surprises. This small country is far more special than what it appears to be at first sight. There is more to it than being famous for its cheese, bikes, windmills, tulips, canals and coffee shops. It has a distinctive atmosphere, unique traditions and an extremely open-minded population.
One of the things the Netherlands should be proud of is the values the country has built. Dutch people are all about equality, freedom and solidarity. The Netherlands has a very low crime rate. In fact, it is among the 10 safest countries in Europe. It is also home to a big number of different cultures. People from all around the world are coming to live here because of the accepting and unbiased mindset of the Dutch population. Moreover, the Netherlands was the first country in history to allow same sex marriage in 2001 while, sadly more than twenty years later this topic is still a taboo in many countries in Europe. Something else to be admired is the Dutch education system, especially regarding universities. There are various courses, the study approach is modern and creative, Dutch teachers are friendly and easy to approach, and the education is one of the cheapest among the developed countries.
What makes the Netherlands even more special is the extraordinary traditions it has. One of them being Carnaval which is celebrated by dressing up in various funny costumes, choosing a Carnaval prince, wearing special orange accessories or simply by drinking beer, having fun and dancing on Dutch songs all week long. Another interesting celebration is Sinterklaas on the 5th of December. Unlike what many internationals might think about this special occasion, it has nothing to do with Christmas. The story of Sinterklaas is based on Sint Nicolaas, a patron saint of children. In the story he is arriving from Spain on his white horse with his helpers Pieten. At that time families get together and exchange small gifts with each other, friends go to the city center to participate in the parade and a lot of kruidnoten is being eaten. Other amazing celebrations and events you can only experience while living in the Netherlands are King’s Day, The Flower Parade, Amsterdam Dance Event and Glow Festival, among others.
Other admirable facts about the Netherlands are, for instance, the proficiency of English language as almost 95% of Dutch people speak it. The Netherlands is also considered the 6th happiest country in the world among 156 other countries, according to the 2020 World Happiness Report. Finally, Dutch people seem to feel more secure, financially stable and socially satisfied than many other nationalities.
In conclusion, the Netherlands has a lot to offer. It is a country of passion, history, art, variety, acceptance and beauty. Being a part of such a unique world is an adventure worth exploring.
