Community goes beyond: the continuation of the NL alumni network

Last August 16 Nuffic officially announced that the NL Alumni Network will cease to exist. I have been working on a volunteer basis for four years with our community in the Netherlands and Colombia. Our community is present in 80 countries and gathers +70,000 international students and professionals who once upon a time came to study in the Netherlands. Just like myself 11 years ago.

The NL alumni network was shut down officially form last September 30. The reason? No more public funding to continue. This news really broke our hearts but since we knew about it we decided that it's time to show the real power of our community. In the end our efforts run o volunteer basis because helping each other as foreigners is all we have.

I sent a message annoucing that regardless of the news we will continue. Community goes beyond politics, always! In last than 24 hours I got +100 replies and private messages with members confirming their commitment and willing to volunteer.

This gesture lifted my spirit and confirmed that our idea to continue by our own means was and is completely worth it! Now, I am opening this form to join our community to my whole network. If you are an international in the Netherlands or interesting in exploring your next career steps in the Netherlands, you are more than welcome! Complete this form to signup

To all community leads around the 80 countries that we covered: BRAVO!! You did amazing, WE did amazing! And this is just a new begining. In the end, starting from scratch is something that every international knows. So let's unite and make this happen (once again) TOGETHER!

To local players in the Netherlands: Let's talk! More than ever we need your support to co-create our next steps. We all know that the only way to bring the best value of such a multicultural country is by bridging the gap between locals and internationals. Contact me anytime via [email protected]

I am looking forward to continue connecting and bringing to our table the right ingredients to increase international talent retention, not only in the Netherlands but around the globe!

The next opportunity to meet and celebrate what we have done together is at the second edition of our Here2work International Job Fair, which will be held from November 14-17. Everybody is welcome and I have some free tickets if you want to us too!

Any thoughts on how to make our community sustainable? All ideas are welcome! Please share them in the comments :)