Like, Zeg Maar

Lucky you! Class is being taught by not just one, but two, uncredentialed substitute teachers. Alyssa and Malina dive headfirst into Dutch, which we can all agree is how the Founding Fathers talked. They fumble over the "Greek y,” wonder when things should be standing or sitting, and teach you how to not bid people farewell. Thought you could snooze in the back of the class? Think again, because your subs are giving you a surprise pop quiz.Share with a friend. Follow, rate, and review on your fave podcasting app. Suggestions, questions, interested in collab? Send them over to [email protected]!Liefs, your expat besties xx-(0:00) Intro(3:11) Funny English (4:39) False Friends (aka Not Us)(8:23) You Gotta Be Precise(10:58) See You Whenever  (13:36) Pop Quiz Time(20:26) We’re Made Out of Sugar (27:12) Schattige Schapen Schamen Zich (34:54) Mental Gymnastics with Numbers(38:05) The K-Word (39:59) Sleep Tasty (41:36) Dutch of the Day: Oefenen Baart Kunst

Alyssa and Malina yap about what they’ve been up to since their last catch-up. Alyssa goes on side quests in nude spas and at roller discos, while Malina tries to keep it cool on set while running into Dutch celebs. They’re out and about at museums, film fests, outdoor concerts — culture maxxing for sure. But amid all the fun, nostalgia hits differently and unexpectedly when you’re building a life far from home.Share with a friend or maybe five. Follow, rate, and review on your fave podcasting app. Suggestions, questions, interested in collabing? Send them over to [email protected]!Liefs, your expat besties xx-(0:00) Intro(1:19) Naked People Galore(7:02) Chasing Fame and Famous People(12:53) What We’re Watching(20:01) Too Integrated?!(23:35) Chaos Among the Masses(30:37) Feels Like Home(36:46) Dutch of the Day: Nagenieten

Low key, Alyssa and Malina might honestly be the top 0.1% of expats who are pretty into Dutch. They share their motivations (hint: it doesn't involve maintaining a streak on Duolingo) and manifestations (another hint: it involves Alyssa at the library). Whether you’re learning Nederlands or another language, don’t fret! Overcoming embarrassing moments and making mistakes are part of the learning process. Just ask Malina, who, despite mixing up words all the damn time, considers herself an unofficial and unpaid ambassador of the Dutch language. Wherever you are on your learning journey,  you can always start. It’s not only good for connecting with people around you, but also for your neural pathways.Share with a friend (or fellow Dutch learner?) Follow, rate, and review on your fave podcasting app. Suggestions, questions, interested in collab? Send them over to [email protected]!Liefs, your expat besties xx-(0:00) Intro(1:25) She’s Obsessed(7:38) Not Motivated by Duolingo Streaks(17:02) Safe Spaces for Speaking(20:08) The Hard G is Sexy(29:45) Insecurities and Mistakes(36:21) What We Struggle With(41:28) Dutch of the Day: Kennis

Catch-up, gabfest, bijkletsen—call it what you will. Alyssa and Malina swap stories and tips in this first edition of the ~*SUMMER DIARIES*~ series.When they’re not dealing with mosquitoes and the woes of podcast software editing, they’re enjoying the finest of what the Netherlands has to offer. Open-air farmer’s market, picnics, haggling in Dutch. Can it get any better than this? TBD as to when they can call themselves locals, but they’re very much feeling integrated these days. New adventures abound with newly-anointed Auntie Alyssa embracing her best pastoral life and Malina getting ready to launch her IMDb page.Please share with a friend! Subscribe, rate, and review on your fave podcasting app. Suggestions, questions, interested in collabing? Send them over to [email protected]!Liefs, your new expat besties xx-(00:00) Intro (01:38) The Less Romantic Side of Euro Summer(07:08) Living La Vida Local(12:32) Whattadoo in Amsterdam(14:20) Malina Dreams of Hollywood(17:39) Our Tennis Tales(24:23) Alyssa Enters Her Auntie Era(32:29) Little Summer Pleasures(38:24) A Complaint & Not-So-Official Apology(40:36) Dutch of the Day: Ik Heb Er Zin In

This week, Alyssa and Malina spice it up. As recovering coastal elites, they explore how wildly different the Dutch are in their communication and values. They’re honest, tolerant, thrifty… and perhaps a little too democratic? Culture shock aside, Alyssa is so integrated that she keeps her curtains drawn open and eats cold sandwiches with a single slice of cheese. Meanwhile, Malina is just clamoring to be invited to a birthday circle party. And they introduce you to one of the most important and untranslatable words in the Dutch language.Share with a friend. Follow, rate, and review on your fave podcasting app. Suggestions, questions, interested in collabing? Send them over to [email protected]!Liefs, your expat besties xx-(00:00) Intro(01:22) Don't Make Yourself at Home(05:01) Are Americans Fake?(12:51) Too Much Democracy(18:34) Work-Life Balance in the Netherlands(19:28) The Happiest Country for Kids(22:55) The Infamous Circle Party(32:11) They Eat THAT for Lunch?!(34:09) Thrifty, But We Like It(38:33) Calvinism Explained(44:28) Dutch of the Day: Gezellig

Okay, so nobody asked... but here we are, channeling Main Character Energy.In their first episode, Alyssa and Malina dish out their origin stories and how they found themselves in the Netherlands aka the Land of Giants. They talk about the tops and flops of life abroad and what makes this gray rainy country an urban planner's paradise. Also, what the hell is "zeg maar" and how do you actually pronounce it? And how many times do we say "like" in the span of an episode?! Tune in and we might have some answers for you.Share with a friend, or soon-to-be friend in your Dutch class. Follow, rate, and review on your fave podcasting app. Suggestions, questions, interested in collabing? Send them over to [email protected]!Liefs, your new expat besties xx-(00:00) Intro(02:19) Origin Story(08:35) Moving to the Netherlands(13:21) Speaking Dutch(16:17) Connections & Community(19:45) Tops & Flops(25:04) "Doe Normaal"(29:28) Things Actually Work Here(32:50) Tall Country for Short People(34:23) Dutch of the Day: Zeg Maar

Hoi, hallo, hello! Is anyone out there? Alyssa and Malina here, and we're delivering sweet California sunshine to the Lowlands xx