Viktoria Bernat

Hi, I’m Viktoria,

I’m from Hungary and moved to the Netherlands in 2021. Like many internationals, I thought English would be enough, but I soon realized that if I truly wanted to feel part of life here, learning Dutch was essential.

I tried language courses, conversation classes, and even asked Dutch friends to practice. I learned the grammar and the vocabulary, but still struggled to use Dutch confidently in real life. I know how hard it is to put yourself out there when you don’t have enough opportunities to practice.

That’s when I imagined a different kind of space: where expats with a basic level of Dutch could come together, practice naturally, and build confidence while working on something meaningful. Not another classroom, not repetitive small talk, but something meaningful.

And so, Make it in Dutch was born: a space where learners work on real community projects. Here, you practice Dutch naturally, share your own ideas, collaborate with others, and make new connections, all while staying motivated because your work also makes a difference.

My vision is to provide expats with a safe and supportive space to practice Dutch and help their community along the way.

Hope to see you around,

Viktoria ✨

Dieks van Gogh

Hi there, my name is Dieks!

For the past three years I've worked as a Dutch teacher for expats and others new to Amsterdam. I have been living in Amsterdam basically my entire adult life, so I think it's safe to say that I know the city quite well. However, I'm looking forward to get to know the place from a new perspective, by collaboratively working on community projects with newcomers!

In my classes I like to adopt a playful approach, with as much room for interaction and fun as possible. When I was approached by Viktoria to join this project, I got excited right away. My ultimate aim is always to help students feel more 'at home' in Dutch, by paying close attention to how we use certain words and phrases, and to ensure that learners can put these words and phrases to use in a way that works for them. I feel Make it in Dutch is just the right concept to achieve exactly this goal.

Working on a project, together with others will enable participants to get more flexible with the Dutch they already know, and at the same time vocabulary and idiomatic gaps will present themselves in a spontaneous way. The project will provide a learning environment in which participants are naturally encouraged to speak Dutch in a way that assists their aims and needs. I'm very eager to guide you along this journey!

Looking forward to meeting you,

Dieks 😊