Training and Events
TU Delft’s ‘Coming to Delft Service’ organises many events and training sessions throughout the year for employees and, if applicable, their accompanying partners. These are a good opportunity to meet other internationals who also recently started a new position at TU Delft. All training and information sessions are facilitated by external experts. Quite a few training sessions are exclusively for partners, because they are focussed on supporting them in finding a job in the Netherlands. If you want to know whether you can join, please contact the Coming to Delft Service team. The information sessions and networking events are open to all TU Delft employees and their partners. By hosting them, we try to provide you with useful information and a platform to connect with others. We hope to see you soon at our events! Professional Development Events and Training Sessions Job Search Essentials (part of the Dual Career Programme) TU Delft provides a series of 4 training sessions to partners of TU Delft employees, who have (recently) moved to the Netherlands and would like to learn more about the Dutch job market and the job application process here. The training sessions are thematically coordinated in order to achieve the best result, therefore, enrolments are only possible for the whole programme and not for an individual session only. You will work on your CV, motivation letter, and pitch with the trainers. Tips and self-help resources will be shared to improve and strengthen your LinkedIn profile. Besides getting trained about the Dutch job market, you will also get to know your peer participants who might be in a similar situation to you. A photographer will take a professional photo for your LinkedIn profile during one of the sessions. Walk-in career counselling Apart from Job Search Essentials, additional walk-in career counselling sessions are organised with TU Delft career counsellors in case you require extra help in strengthening and finalising your LinkedIn profile. The sessions are conducted online and are subject to availability. This opportunity would be made available after your participation in Job Search Essentials, if additional guidance is required. Unlock Your Potential (part of the Dual Career Programme) The aim of this training series is to give a starting point to reflect on your work and life skills and how you can adapt these to the opportunities and challenges of life as an expatriate partner. The content will be a mix of interactive, practical and informative sessions. Networking (part of the Dual Career Programme) In this workshop you will receive: Introduction and insights to Networking in the Netherlands Practical networking strategies to further your career Tools to increase visibility online and offline Tips for building and maintaining a personal brand Ways to feel more confident when applying for a job, or continuing your career in the Netherlands Personal Branding for Job Search The main objective of this job support group is to provide the participants with necessary skills, self-assessment, personal branding, group support, stimulus, new insights and mostly renewed positive energy to pursue their job search in the Netherlands. The training assists you in finding your uniqueness and strengths and in improving and creating a ‘brand’ of yourself that makes you stand out in the job market. There will be six interactive sessions and a recruiter session with an emphasis on the personal strengths each participant already possesses that can be used and highlighted more when searching and applying for jobs. Personal Wellbeing Workshop As an accompanying partner of a (new) international TU Delft Staff member, it is not always easy to get settled in The Netherlands. There is always a chance of culture shock and loneliness as a result of having left the support network back at home. The main objective of the Personal Wellbeing series is to provide the participants with a peer group, to exchange ideas on various topics such as embracing change, resilience, community building and dealing with isolation. This interactive workshop series is aimed at building a supportive peer network that can engage in conversations within a safe space. Starting Your Own Business: The Essentials This training is especially designed for those who want to become an entrepreneur or work as a freelancer in the Netherlands. The training covers all the ins and outs to starting your own business, and will teach you how to: Make your business stand out through effective marketing strategies Develop your business ideas into actionable plans Identify networking opportunities Social Events New joiners drinks With a flood of new faces, things to sort, and information, the first few weeks of being in a new country, joining another organisation, and dealing with other cultures can be challenging and overwhelming. To get to know other new international colleagues at TU Delft (and their partners) we hope to provide you with a platform where you can expand your social network. Many new internationals go through the same process and we believe it is easier if you can learn from each other. Walk ‘n Talk Relocating to a new country and not having friends or networks can be difficult. In this outdoor event, participants meet and take a walk through the beautiful city centre of Delft and have coffee at one of the many cosy cafés that the city has to offer. The event is aimed to bring together fellow partners and new employees and create meaningful connections and networks. Het Taalcafé If you are learning Dutch and would like to converse with other Dutch learners, then the Taalcafé is the place to do that. A fluent Dutch speaker is present to help with conversation and vocabulary. A minimum of A2 level of Dutch is preferable if you want to join the conversation group, which takes place for an hour every week and is currently online. Board Games Evening A fun evening of board games, snacks, drinks and making friends. We have a few games for you to play with, but we’d love it if you could bring your own games, perhaps some that are unique to your country or region, teach others, and play together. The more games, the merrier. We’ll serve some snacks and drinks at the café while you are at it. Cycling to the Beach The Netherlands is a cyclist heaven and Cycling to the Beach is the perfect picnic in the company of other internationals who you can get to know on the way. We meet at a central location in Delft and bicycle to one of the beaches nearby. We finish the bike ride with a nice lunch by the beach. The bike ride to the beach is usually 15 to 20 kilometres and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Family Sports Day Join us for a morning of sports, activities and fun at the Sports Centre X in Delft. We have some exciting activities lined up for you like soccer, volleyball or tug of war and a three-legged race among others. Whether you are an ardent sports enthusiast or a laid-back couch potato, there is something for everyone. Special games and activities for children are organised for children over 3 years of age. The sports activities are followed by lunch and a chance to connect with others. Brewery Tour and Beer-Tasting Learn about Delft’s brewing culture, socialise with fellow internationals, and sample some delicious beer. Historic Walking Tour of Delft Join us to learn about the local history, important monuments and buildings, the Delft Blueware, and Delft's eminent inhabitants. It is a 1.5-hour walking tour through the historic centre with a professional guide, after which you are invited to join us for a drink in a local café. Information Sessions Going Dutch: Building your New Life in The Netherlands This light-hearted, fun yet informative workshop will introduce you to the Dutch people, their mentality and Dutch society in general. It covers a range of topics from meeting people to dealing with the neighbours, from birthdays to customer service, from communicating with the plumber to fun things to do at the weekend. You will receive practical tips to help you (and your family) settle quickly and build a life in the Netherlands. Buying a House This online presentation and question-and-answer session provides participants with expert information and insights into the process of buying a house in the Delft area. Health Insurance Information Session An essential online session for all internationals at TU Delft. You will learn about the various options for health insurance available and how the system works. Come ready with your questions. Tax Information Meeting Tax is often something we would rather not think about but is also very important to understand. Have all your questions answered and get up to speed with the Dutch system. Testimonial Caitriona Rush Caitriona, Irish national and trainer in the Dual Career Network since 2017. ‘I’m proud to be part of the Coming to Delft team! As a trainer I’ve been involved in the Dual Career Programme since it started in 2017. More than any other company/ institute I’ve come across, TU Delft don’t just acknowledge how important it is for the partners of their international employees to be happy and find a satisfying job here but have implemented a concrete programme to assist partners in realising their goals. I really like that the programme itself is constantly expanding with the team exploring new diverse ways to support partners. During the training sessions I (and my fellow facilitators) always get great feedback from the participants. They are extremely grateful for the services provided and are openly appreciative. As a facilitator I really enjoy leading these sessions. There is always such a diverse group of cultures present that I also always learn something!'
