The Happy Expats is a coaching collective based in the Netherlands. Founded by Simon Jansen and supported by a growing team of passionate professionals, we help international professionals and multicultural teams grow, collaborate better, and feel more at home, both at work and in life.

We know how the Dutch workplace works. And we understand what it’s like when things don’t feel natural to you.


We specialize in the development of international professionals and multicultural teams. We believe in people, communication, and personal leadership as the key to change.

Who we work with

We work with international professionals, team leads, and multicultural teams who want to collaborate more effectively and grow stronger together. Whether you're new to the Netherlands or working across cultures, we’ve got your back.

How we work

At The Happy Expats coaching is:

  • Personal and practical

  • Rooted in real understanding of the Dutch work floor

  • Focused on sustainable growth

  • Always tailored to your unique story

We work online or in person just 100 meters from Utrecht Central Station. Our 1-on-1 coaching combines deep reflection with concrete tools. We also work with teams, supporting better communication, more effective collaboration, and leadership development across cultures.

Meet Our Team

I'm Simon Jansen, founder of The Happy Expats.
After years in the corporate world, I became a coach — and over time, I noticed a pattern: talented, motivated international professionals were struggling to find their place. Not because they lacked skills, but because they didn’t always understand the (unspoken) rules of Dutch work culture.

I knew how things worked here. But I also knew how disorienting it can feel if they don’t make sense to you.
So I decided to do something about it.

In 2024, I teamed up with Abigael Verspoor, a seasoned program designer and fellow coach. She had lived and worked in the US and had first-hand experience adapting to a new culture. Together, we created The Happy Expats, a coaching platform that’s practical, personal and rooted in real-world experience.

Allard, Program developer and team coach

Allard Klok is part of The Happy Expats team and leads our work in team coaching and development. With over 20 years of experience guiding teams and leaders, he helps people work smarter, collaborate more effectively, and stay motivated — especially in times of change.

We offer team programs that focus on:
✅ Team development — building trust, connection and shared ownership
✅ Leadership coaching — strengthening personal leadership and communication
✅ Change support — helping teams adapt, reduce resistance and stay engaged
✅ Team communication — improving feedback skills and constructive dialogue

Our programs are tailor-made for multicultural teams. Whether your team is mostly Dutch, mostly international, or a mix of both — we help you create a shared language, embrace diversity as a strength, and grow together.

We combine individual coaching, group facilitation and digital tools like e-learnings and drive scans — to support change that sticks.

Lieke Team Coach and one-on-one coach

Lieke Beijen is an accredited coach with over 12 years of experience in mental health and social work. She specializes in working with expats and brings a warm, incisive and approachable style to her coaching always with attention for diversity, inclusion and the connection between body and mind. As an avid traveller herself, she easily relates to the challenges of international life. With her open attitude, she creates a safe and engaging space for reflection, ownership and growth.

Our extended team

Meet our international panel

At The Happy Expats, we believe that real-life experience is just as important as theory. That’s why we work with a panel of professionals from different countries and sectors, all currently working on the Dutch job market. They help us shape the content of our programs and e-learnings adding practical insights, honest reflections, and a touch of humor.

Each panel member brings a unique perspective on what it means to work in the Netherlands: the good, the surprising, and sometimes the downright confusing.
Scroll down to meet them!

Parivash (from Turkey) is our product manager who is helping us with the content of our services and e-learnings. Having recently moved to the Netherlands herself, she brings a fresh perspective and deep understanding of the expat journey. Her superpower: turning complexity into clarity.

We regularly collaborate with trusted coaches and trainers from our international network. Want to know who you’ll work with? We’ll soon share their photos and bios here.

"At university, I quickly noticed: a passing grade is just fine here. Quite a shift from the competitive mindset I knew from the US."

Amanda USA – Educational consultant- in NL since 2024

"Dogs in the office? I thought I walked into a fancy dog daycare. Dutch work life turned out to be full of surprises in a good way."

Yasmine - Spain - HR Team member- in NL since 2024 


"I am result driven and ambitious, I immediately fell in love with the Dutch work culture"

Rubén - Spain - IT - in NL since 2022

"Work-life balance is taken seriously here. And I quickly learned that saying 'you must' doesn’t get you very far in a Dutch office.”

Carsten - Germany – IT teamlead – living in NL since 2010

Curious what we can do for you?

Let’s talk first just to get acquainted!

Book a free 15-minute discovery call to explore your goals and see if this is the right next step for you. No strings attached.

Book a 15 minute free Discovery Call

Galgeplek 30, 6662 VR Elst - Chamber of Commerce: 84268417 - VAT: NL003674518B09