Language and culture

Nijmegen is an open, hospitable city. As with other large Dutch cities, many residents were born or grew up in other countries and cultures. Young and old, immigrant or native, gay or straight: everyone is welcome and is entitled to their own little patch of Nijmegen.

Integration
The Dutch government feels that if we are all to get along it is important that people who plan to settle in the Netherlands speak the language and understand the country and the culture. That is why the new Integration and Naturalisation Act was adopted in 2007 for people who do not hold a Dutch passport. The Act states that they must learn the Dutch language and understand Dutch society. In Dutch, integration is called 'inburgeren'. People who want to undergo this process and become naturalised have to pass an 'inburgerings'-examination which tests their ability to speak, read and write Dutch. There is more information on the following website: Hoe Moet Ik Inburgeren (Dutch only). If you have any questions, call the integration and naturalisation desk ( 'Informatiepunt Inburgering' tel. 14 024, from abroad +31 24 329 90 00 ).

Dutch culture
The Integration and Naturalisation Act does not apply to people coming to live in the Netherlands for a short time, as expats, international researchers or for study. But if you want to feel at home in the Netherlands, it would be a good idea for you to learn to speak a bit of Dutch and find out more about the culture. There are a lot of books about this topic in English, and the website of the city of Amsterdam has a comprehensive list.

Language centers
The following language centres offer Dutch language courses to anyone, including people with a lower level of education:

Talking Together
Gilde Nijmegen is a voluntary organisation dedicated to the transfer of knowledge. It brings together volunteer helpers (often people over 50) and people with another mother tongue who want to improve their Dutch and get to know Dutch culture better. The helper and the learner meet once a week to chat about anything and everything. You do need to be able to speak a bit of Dutch already. Interested? Then get in touch with Gilde Nijmegen, tel. +31 (0)24 356 40 13, www.gildenijmegen.nl or e-mail: gildenijmegen@hetnet.nl.

Information and learning material
Nijmegen public library contains a lot of information for people involved in the integration process and for others who would like to learn the language. The Mariënburg library in the centre of Nijmegen has an Integration Point with language courses and other information about the Netherlands and learning Dutch.

Websites about learning Dutch and the Dutch culture