Skip to main content

In the run-up to International Education Day, we’re taking a look back on some of the best moments that showed us the power of education throughout the years.

Last March, we held a Rolling Aid Event in Amstelveen for 60 unaccompanied minors where we had a fun pizza-making workshop, encouraged artistic expression with our drawing challenge and got our game on with some shuffleboard tournaments. 🍕

It’s there that we met two remarkable teenagers from Afghanistan. Despite being in the Netherlands only for a few months, their command of Dutch was nothing short of impressive. Eager to start school for the first time, they’ve been going to the de Bibliotheek Amstelland public library every day by foot to hone their Dutch language skills and keep up with their studies. 📚

These two bright, young boys came to the Netherlands with the dream of becoming computer scientists. The beauty of using code to build apps and platforms, solve problems and advance our technological capabilities is what fascinates them.

One of the boys shared with us that he’s particularly excited to join the Netherlands’ thriving tech community with so many interesting opportunities for future software developers. His first step to reach these digital dreams will be to master Python. 🐍

He shared some of his Dutch language learning tips so other newcomers can become confident speakers. Along with watching Youtube videos in Dutch and practicing on Duolingo:

“The most important thing that’s helped me learn Dutch quickly is to repeat words I’ve learned over and over again throughout the day. At night, I read a storybook and underline new words before going to sleep. I also try to speak Dutch with the COA whenever I can. Repeating new words and using them with other people helps a lot!”

As these boys begin to build a new life for themselves in their adopted country word by word and code by code, we’re certain there’s a bright future ahead of them. 🌅

Follow us as we share more stories about the inspiring young people we meet who are coming to the Netherlands to achieve their dreams. 🚀