Clear picture of 'the expat' is missing

Although many Dutch people through their work or dealings have met with expatriates, a clear picture of the mood of these knowledge-workers is lacking. It is generally assumed that this group hardly cares where they are at that moment and that they feel no need to mix with the locals.
Daily practice however, seems more complicated. Foreign workers often feel lonely, especially if it is the first time abroad. Different opinions on what is expected of co-workers on and of the work floor can often be frustrating to both the Expatriate as the employer who hires him/her. For example, in the Netherlands, after working everybody goes his own way. Very different than in India where colleagues after work often share a meal together. Indian expats in the Netherlands mis this common experience, while Dutch expats in India might feel forced together. Both can quickly lead to homesickness.
Governments and corporations need to be increasingly aware of the importance of identifying the needs of expatriates. In the Netherlands, research shows that especially taking care of residence- and work-visa required leads to much annoyance. For this reason, more and more Dutch municipalities go into collaboration with other municipalities, to form an expat office like Amsterdam Inbusiness to streamline the proces.

Source: De Telegraaf (31-07-2010)