An ARD Tagesthemen news reportage about the obliged course for new Dutch citizens in how to live and behave in the Dutch society. A group of Turkish, Moroccan, Portuguese, Iranian and Iraqi newcomers get a combination of classroom lessons and learn the Dutch society in practice in society.
How does the Dutch society work? In rainy and windy Rotterdam the newcomers get a tour along a job centre, an education center, an immigrants centre, the city hall, public transport and other important buildings in Rotterdam. Including a frightening climb to the very windy top of the 185 meter high Euromast.
Some of the subjects in the course: bike-riding, Dutch money, the weather, how to shake hands and when and how to kiss somebody in the Netherlands, traffic-jams, the bombing of Rotterdam in the Second World War, the Queen, housing, healthcare and the customs.
Dutch people are straight, hospitable, but also attached to privacy. They drink a lot of coffee, live clockwise and are strict in planning. So, always make an appointment when you want to visit a Dutchman. Diner is at 6 o’clock and when visiting the Dutch: take a bunch of flowers. The course ends with a drink in a typical Dutch café.
Activities: propose item idea, research, set-up, planning and accompany filming.