Last night, a group of expat women gathered around a table in Eemnes. There were cups of tea, soft music in the background, the scent of paint, and the gentle hum of conversation. Some of us had just met. Others were reconnecting. All of us were taking a pause from daily life to be present, creative, and connected.

This wasn’t a networking event or a workshop. It was a ceramics painting evening — simple, calm, no pressure. Just space to breathe and belong.

And yet, it became something meaningful.
It became community.

It all started with a plate.
A few months ago, I wanted to paint a birthday plate for each of my children. The venue required a group booking, so I opened up the idea to others.

What followed surprised me: women signed up quickly. A waitlist formed. And now, we’ve had our second painting night, with requests already coming in for a third.

What began as a quiet personal moment turned into a shared experience.
That’s the kind of community I believe in — organic, inclusive, rooted in care.

Why is this part of Expat Things?
Because being an expat isn’t just about finding a house. It’s about finding your footing, your people, your voice again.

That’s exactly why I named my business Expat Things. I chose a name that reflects the many aspects of the expat experience, over and above finding rentals and homes to buy.
The big and the small. The practical and the emotional.
The housing process, yes — but also the identity shifts, the isolation, the relationships, the career changes, and the quiet questions we don’t always know how to ask out loud.

My goal has always been to make Expat Things a trusted, human-centered space — not just for solving problems, but for sharing the journey.

These little gatherings? They’re not a distraction from that mission.
They are the mission.
Because community is a key part of settling.

So what’s next?
I have launched a new Facebook group: 🎉 Expat Things: Community and Connection in the Netherlands

It will be a space for:

• Honest conversation (beyond visas and utilities)
• Warm community meetups like the painting nights
• Partner-led events and workshops from people I believe in
• And a place where you can show up as more than just “the spouse” or “the newcomer”

This is just the beginning of something bigger.

Because “Expat Things” means all the things — and you’re invited to be part of it.

Want to be part of it?
Here is the link to joining the group – please feel free to introduce your self when you join!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/expatthingscommunityandconnection/

And if you’d like to join us for the next ceramics night in June, feel free to message me — we’re keeping it small and intentional.

– C | Glad you’re here

📞 Call/WhatsApp: +31 68 799 0631
📩 Email: info@expatthings.nl
🌐 http://www.expatthings.nl