Unlock your potential with personalized mentoring
Moving to a new country is a major life transition. It brings opportunities, but also uncertainty, pressure and important choices.
My name is Michel Daenen, I am Dutch and I help expats find their way in the Netherlands with more confidence, clarity and ease.
With a background of more than 30 years in business as a change manager, project manager, entrepreneur, consultant and coach, I bring a rare combination of strategic insight and personal guidance. Over the past 12 years, I have coached expats in many different situations related to settling into a new country, building a career, adapting to change and creating a meaningful life abroad.
I have worked with people from a wide range of backgrounds, supporting expats connected to both large international organisations and smaller companies. I also know from personal experience what it means to live abroad and navigate a different culture yourself.
As your mentor, I offer a space where you can reflect, refocus and move forward.
You may be looking for support with questions such as:
how to grow into a leadership role
how to take the next step in your career
how to start your own business
how to deal with change, uncertainty or cultural adjustment
how to build a life in the Netherlands that truly feels like your own
Wherever you find yourself in your journey, I will meet you there. Together, we will look at what you need, what is holding you back, and what will help you move ahead in a way that fits you.
My mentoring sessions take place online via Zoom, making it easy to schedule support at a time that works for you, wherever you are.
If you are looking for an experienced and thoughtful mentor who understands both the professional and personal side of expat life, I would be glad to support you.
Let’s work together to help you feel more at home, more effective and more fulfilled in the Netherlands.
Reach out today and take the next step with confidence.
What others say
“I wholeheartedly recommend Michel Daenen as a personal mentor for any professional relocating to the Netherlands. His deep-rooted understanding of Dutch corporate culture, combined with firsthand expat experience and a strong background in change management, makes his guidance both insightful and actionable. Michel’s support was key in aligning my international experience with the local expectations and securing a leadership role in a Dutch company. I also liked to hear the examples of his own career.”
Natalia Petrova
Russia
“Michel's coaching was a lifeline during my transition to working life in the Netherlands. He helped me understand the unwritten rules of Dutch workplace culture and tailor my CV and approach in a 'Dutch style'. His warmth, patience, and understanding of what it’s like to start over in a new country made all the difference to me. Also, he was flexible with scheduling and understanding about my hectic life. Highly recommended.”
David Chen
Taiwan
“I was overwhelmed trying to find my way professionally after moving to the Netherlands together with my partner. Michel just got it — he understood the confusion, the culture shock, and the job hunt stress. His advice was spot-on, from writing a Dutch-style motivation letter to understanding what employers are really looking for. Super helpful, and honestly, it felt like talking to a wise friend who’s been through it all.”
Priya Nair
India
Getting started
We begin with a free introductory call. This is a no-obligation conversation in which we get to know each other and briefly explore your situation, your questions, and whether my mentoring is the right fit for you.
If you decide to continue, you can then book a mentoring package of 1, 3 or 5 sessions.
From there, we start working together in a way that matches your needs. If your goals are already clear, we can move directly into the first session. If they are not yet fully defined, we will use part of that first session to clarify them together and create a clear direction for the coaching process. This is a natural and valuable part of the coaching itself.
All sessions take place online via Zoom, offering flexibility, ease, and a focused setting for meaningful conversation and progress.
Mentoring packages
What others say
“When I moved to the Netherlands, I felt completely lost in the Dutch job market. I was struggling. Michel was not only incredibly knowledgeable as a native Dutchman, but also empathetic due to his own experience as an expat. His guidance helped me adapt to the culture, understand how to approach employers, and regain my confidence. Thanks to him, I landed a job in my field within two months!”
Sofia Martínez
Spain
“Michel's mentorship helped me to value my international background and promote that in the Dutch job market. His focus on my professional growth, clear understanding of the recruitment landscape, and ability to guide with empathy made him an invaluable help during my jobsearch. By the way, very nice coffee”
Ahmed El-Sayed
Egypt
“I had no clue how different things were in the Netherlands until I tried applying for jobs on my own. I got so many rejections, very frustrating. Michel really opened my eyes to how Dutch people think and work. He mixed real-deal experience with down-to-earth advice and helped me build a plan that actually worked. Couldn’t have asked for a better coach!”
Lucas Moreira
Brazil