House of Peregrine

Choosing a primary school is one of the first and most emotionally charged decisions families face when relocating to the Netherlands. In this most‑played moment from Episode 026, Mickelle revisits a standout conversation with Annebet van Mameren of New2NL, whose decade of experience supporting international families brings calm, clarity, and perspective to the process.Together, they explore why children’s happiness is foundational to a successful move, how the Dutch school system is designed around choice rather than rankings, and what really matters when selecting a school, especially for internationally minded families navigating language, culture, and community for the first time.This clip is an essential listen for parents at the beginning of their journey and a grounding reminder for those already immersed in the Dutch education system. Links to the full episode, the Amsterdam School Lottery guide, and the supporting app can be found in the show notes.In this episode:Why children’s happiness directly impacts family and professional wellbeingHow the Dutch school system prioritizes choice over “best school” rankingsWhat international families should look for when choosing a primary schoolThe role of community, language, and parental involvement in school fitAnnebet van Mameren is the founder of New2NL, a relocation consultancy that supported international families for over 10 years. While the company has since closed, the insights shared here remain highly relevant.🎧 Full episode: https://www.houseofperegrine.com/podcast/ep-026📘 School Lottery Guide: https://www.houseofperegrine.com/journal/ams-school-lottery-navHouse of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:houseofperegrine.com/auth/signupJoin a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.Subscribe: houseofperegrine.com/subscribeJoin our WhatsApp Group: HOP CommunityExplore Memberships: houseofperegrine.com/membershipsInstall the App: houseofperegrine.com/installFollow us for daily inspiration and updates:Instagram: @houseofperegrinepodcastYouTube: @HouseofPeregrineofficialLinkedIn:@company/house-of-peregrineTikTok: @houseofperegrinepodcast

Mickelle is joined by Shellee Howard of CollegeReadyPlan (collegereadyplan.com) for a calm, practical masterclass on getting teens “university ready” without signing up for years of debt. With four kids through college debt‑free (and deep experience across the US + Europe), Shellee makes the process feel both elevated and doable.Her North Star is identity: when a student knows who they are, what matters, and can prove it, they waste less time, choose majors with intention, and become far more scholarship‑ready. She shares a simple “million‑dollar in 24 hours” game that surfaces core values without the eye‑roll.Together they map the international reality: US admissions are holistic, leadership and initiative matter, while many European pathways are more GPA‑driven and can track students earlier. Shellee also demystifies SAT vs ACT focus, IB vs AP tradeoffs, and why starting early is the quiet advantage.In this episodeA core‑values game that unlocks better decisionsHow self‑knowledge reduces debt (and stress)What universities value: leadership > “sign up and show up”SAT vs ACT: diagnose, pick one, then trainUS vs Europe admissions: holistic vs GPA‑drivenScholarships (even in middle school) + the role of FAFSAFor more and for all Shellee’s links visit https://www.houseofperegrine.com/podcast/ep-083House of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:houseofperegrine.com/auth/signupJoin a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.Subscribe: houseofperegrine.com/subscribeJoin our WhatsApp Group: HOP CommunityExplore Memberships: houseofperegrine.com/membershipsInstall the App: houseofperegrine.com/installFollow us for daily inspiration and updates:Instagram: @houseofperegrinepodcastYouTube: @HouseofPeregrineofficialLinkedIn:@company/house-of-peregrineTikTok: @houseofperegrinepodcast

Moving across borders changes who we are and how our kids learn. In this very current, eye opening  conversation, Mickelle sits down with award‑winning teacher and author Jessica Lander to unpack what real belonging looks like in schools: not a vibe, a design. From reframing “English first” to seeing multilingual students as the cultural navigators they already are, Jessica brings clarity, hope, and practical wisdom.We explore her research for Making Americans, the eight pillars of belonging, and why family–school partnerships should be a school’s responsibility, not a parent’s side‑hustle. We also touch the shifting U.S. policy climate and how to help kids become upstanders, age‑appropriate action that restores agency.In this episode:Strengths over deficits for multilingual learnersThe 8 pillars of belonging (safety, advocates, voice, and more)Family engagement that actually worksPolicy context: Plyler v. Doe and school safetyPractical frames for hard conversations with kidsUpstander habits for every ageConnect with guest Jessica Lander at https://www.jessicalander.com and on Instagram @JessicaLander9. Explore House of Peregrine memberships and resources at https://www.houseofperegrine.com. House of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:houseofperegrine.com/auth/signupJoin a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.Subscribe: houseofperegrine.com/subscribeJoin our WhatsApp Group: HOP CommunityExplore Memberships: houseofperegrine.com/membershipsInstall the App: houseofperegrine.com/installFollow us for daily inspiration and updates:Instagram: @houseofperegrinepodcastYouTube: @HouseofPeregrineofficialLinkedIn:@company/house-of-peregrineTikTok: @houseofperegrinepodcast

Moving abroad isn’t just for the young and untethered. In this elegant, grounded conversation, Mickelle and Move to Europe visa expert Travis Drews explore how clarity beats fear and how language programs, scholarships, and student visas create legal, affordable pathways to Europe at any age and stage.Travis shares his Peregrine story from Texas to Berlin - DJ, remote tech, founder - and why the frame isn’t “hard vs. easy,” but “which path fits you, and how do we walk it.” Together, they unpack integration with grace: start the language before you land, honor local norms, and let the place change you.They also champion community as the quiet superpower where tiny, make‑or‑break questions meet real‑time answers, and small smart steps compound into a life that feels both rooted and free.In this episode:Student visas, scholarships, and language study as real entry pathsThe arc: study → job seeker → job → residency → citizenshipWhy “move toward” beats fleeing fearLearn the language early; be a guest who plays by local rulesCommunity for forms, timing, and the unknownsEurope’s openness to education and what that revealsIf “someday” is calling, start with one elegant step.  For more on Travis Drews, visit The Global Citizen Hub.House of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:houseofperegrine.com/auth/signupJoin a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.Subscribe: houseofperegrine.com/subscribeJoin our WhatsApp Group: HOP CommunityExplore Memberships: houseofperegrine.com/membershipsInstall the App: houseofperegrine.com/installFollow us for daily inspiration and updates:Instagram: @houseofperegrinepodcastYouTube: @HouseofPeregrineofficialLinkedIn:@company/house-of-peregrineTikTok: @houseofperegrinepodcast

This Most Replayed Episode returns to a conversation that feels especially timely. Mickelle and Dr. Kaisu Koskela explore the gap between the rise of remote work and the Visas and Countries still catching up.Kaisu breaks down why many digital nomad visas are modeled like migration permits: slow, rigid, and out of sync with people who are already moving. The shift, though, is underway. As governments recognize remote workers as long-term contributors, not just tourists, better policy becomes not only possible, but inevitable. Kaisu outlines what that can look like: a “funnel” from short stays to deeper contribution, clearer permission to work remotely while visiting, and residency pathways that reflect modern, globally distributed work.For the full conversation, head to the episode page, where you’ll also find more about Dr. Kaisu and the work she’s doing: https://www.houseofperegrine.com/podcast/ep-071House of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:houseofperegrine.com/auth/signupJoin a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.Subscribe: houseofperegrine.com/subscribeJoin our WhatsApp Group: HOP CommunityExplore Memberships: houseofperegrine.com/membershipsInstall the App: houseofperegrine.com/installFollow us for daily inspiration and updates:Instagram: @houseofperegrinepodcastYouTube: @HouseofPeregrineofficialLinkedIn:@company/house-of-peregrineTikTok: @houseofperegrinepodcast