Intensive civic integration pays off

The intensive civic integration program is a collaboration between the municipality of Voorst, TopTaal, Vluchtelingenwerk, and Mens & Welzijn.
Maysoon attended language lessons at TopTaal three half-days a week, a fourth half-day Vluchtelingenwerk taught her more about Dutch society, while the Mens en Welzijn foundation provided another four half-days of guidance. The municipality of Voorst's intensive civic integration program is unique. Not only do status holders learn the Dutch language; they are also intensively guided in their integration into the Netherlands at the same time. TopTaal manages the process and—to ensure everything runs smoothly—regularly consults with the coordinator of the municipality of Voorst, the case managers, Mens en Welzijn, Vluchtelingenwerk, as well as a community sports coach and a childcare representative.

I am very happy that I learned the language, but also that I learned so much about Dutch customs during the integration process

Maysoon is one of the more than five million people who have fled the violence since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria in 2011. While her husband and eldest son had already been in the Netherlands for some time, Maysoon traveled to the Netherlands with her youngest son and daughter. Although she did not work in her home country, she now serves coffee and tea in a restaurant in the Netherlands two days a week. She would love to work there as a chef, as cooking is one of her biggest hobbies.
Sports is another hobby that Maysoon enjoys. She takes swimming lessons and likes to cycle. It is precisely the interaction she gets with others as a result that has brought her so much. 'I have a lot of contact with my neighbors. We teach each other things and sometimes cook for each other. I am very happy that I learned the language, but also that I learned so much about Dutch customs during the integration process. The intensive civic integration program is really very good. It means I can manage well here.'

Culinary skills

Her daughter and youngest son have also benefited greatly from the language lessons at TopTaal. The eldest son has since completed his studies at the University of Applied Sciences and is looking for a job. Her husband Achmed has more difficulty learning the language, but now that he works in a herb garden a few days a week, his integration is also progressing more and more successfully. To his regret, he can no longer do the work he did as a car mechanic in Syria due to back problems.

Maysoon is clear about her dreams for the future. 'I want to start my own restaurant. That's why I want to work in the kitchen of a restaurant or hotel so much. Then I can learn the trade properly. I am now working on level A2 and want to finish that quickly. We have very nice teachers, and it is a fine school. I want to learn Dutch well because I need it for my restaurant.' Maysoon has no doubts about whether the restaurant will happen. 'People in the Netherlands like my cooking. Achmed's language coach, who ate with us, thought the food was delicious. He also said I should open a restaurant.'

More stories View courses

← All stories