by Sarah Bringhurst Familia

Here at the Expatriate Archive Centre (EAC) in The Hague, we were thrilled to hear that the annual FIGT Conferenc e will be held just next door in Amsterdam. Besides being our neighbor and one of our favorite cities, Amsterdam has a wonderful international atmosphere, and has welcomed expat families from all over the world for many years.

This year’s topic of “Bringing Empathy and Expertise to the Evolving Global Family” ties in perfectly with the many resources and support networks available to expats in the Amsterdam area. As an archive dedicated to preserving the social history of expats, we appreciate being located near Amsterdam, where there is such a rich and diverse international community. As well as allowing us all a chance to connect with that community, the FIGT conference is a wonderful opportunity for us here at the EAC to meet global families from around the world and hear your stories.

Amsterdam in March is just beginning to bloom with a panapoly  of colourful spring flowers. The weather becomes milder, yet the city is still relatively uncrowded, making it an ideal time to visit its world famous museums, like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, as well as sights like the Anne Frank House. It is a very family-friendly city with many parks, cafés, and children’s activities, so feel free to bring along the kids for some sightseeing or a canal trip through Amsterdam’s picturesque centre.

We look forward to seeing you at the FIGT conference, and if you have the inclination, we invite you to take a short train ride over to The Hague to visit us at the EAC and find out more about how we are preserving the stories of expats for research and future generations.

Visit the Expatriate Archive Centre at: www.xpatarchive.com/

Sarah Bringhurst Familia is originally from the United States, but has been an expat in several countries, including Italy, Chile, and Tunisia. She now makes her home in Amsterdam and is the PR and Marketing Manager for the Expatriate Archive Centre, a private archive that collects primary source materials documenting expat life and makes them available for academic research.