The International Dual Career Network (IDCN) is a global initiative that connects companies and accompanying partners (spouses) in a local talent pool.
Members can take part in career events and networking opportunities, and some also contribute as volunteers. In June 2025, the IDCN Amsterdam Utrecht Area was launched and continues to grow.
This event's theme – "Career Switch: To Switch or Not?" – speaks directly to one of the most common challenges accompanying partners face when relocating. The session will explore transferable skills, offer an overview of the Dutch labour market, and create space for open discussion.
Event details
📅 Date: Wednesday, 15 April 2026
🕤 Time: 10:00 – 12:00
📍 Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam at NU 3A-65 (New University Building, Floor 3, Wing A, Room 65). De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV Amsterdam
Registration
To confirm your attendance, please register via this link.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 Arrival & Registration
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome by the VU Amsterdam
10:05 – 10:45 Presentation by ACCESS (Presenter: Deborah Valentine)
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45 Presentation by Pro_job
11:45 – 12:00 Interactive Session & Q&A
About the Speakers
Deborah Valentine is a proverbial expatriate. She was born in Germany to Canadian parents of Irish and Jamaican heritage and spent the first 40 years of her life 'relocating' – as a child, a student, an employee, the accompanying partner of someone else, and as a mother. Eleven countries and five languages later, she now calls The Hague home. Not finding her niche in the local labour market when she arrived, she created her own – for 12 years. Today she is the Executive Director of ACCESS, an organisation dedicated to ensuring internationals find home in the Netherlands. Be this by answering questions (which is the primary mission of ACCESS), or providing the many accompanying partners who come here with a chance to find a community which helps them flourish, find their feet, gain or share skills, and feel settled – which is at the heart of ACCESS.
Pro_job is a Dutch labour market specialist offering a broad range of services, from recruitment and career coaching to support for international candidates and companies. At this event, Pro-Job will share their perspective on career switching in the Dutch context, drawing on their hands-on experience placing and coaching professionals across sectors.
Getting there
By public transport: The VU Amsterdam campus is easily reached via Amsterdam Zuid station (metro lines 50/51, trains, trams 5/25). From the station, it's a short walk to De Boelelaan.
By bike: Easiest way for Amsterdammers. There is plenty of bike parking on campus.
By car: Paid parking is available on campus.
Any questions?
Reach out to us at this email address. If you'd like to get involved as a volunteer, feel free to contact us as well. For more information about the global and local IDCN network, please visit the IDCN website.