In a world where connections matter more than ever, our recent International Women’s Day celebration, “Fearless & Unstoppable,” demonstrated the profound impact of intentional community building. The event, which brought together over 30 international women in Almere, wasn’t just a celebration — it was a catalyst for lasting connections and meaningful growth.
The Power of Coming Together
“It feels amazing to build a local network with the international women of Almere,” shared one participant after the event. This sentiment captures exactly what we aimed to achieve: creating a space where women from diverse backgrounds could find common ground, share experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond a single gathering.
As international women, we understand the unique challenges of building a network in a new country. Cultural differences, language barriers, and unfamiliarity with local systems can make establishing connections difficult. Yet, these connections are precisely what help us thrive, both personally and professionally.
Learning from Those Who’ve Walked the Path
Our keynote speaker, Osnat’s workshop on networking fundamentals gave participants practical experience in connecting meaningfully. By forming groups of five, with each woman having just one minute to introduce herself, share her goals, and discuss her interests, we learned that effective networking can be both structured and authentic.
Vision Boards: Personal Goals, Communal Support
Under the guidance of Katarzyna Oratowska, a business transformation professional with over 12 years of corporate experience and Board Member of the International Almere Community, every participant created her own vision board. This exercise wasn’t just about individual reflection — it was about sharing those visions with others.
“It is really nice to sometimes pause and think about what you still want to achieve and what you should focus on. Sometimes you are in a bubble, and now you can share your vision with these women. This way I get new ideas,” explained one attendee.
By articulating our goals and dreams to others, we not only make them more concrete for ourselves but also open doors for collaboration and mutual support. When we know what others are working toward, we can connect them with resources, opportunities, and people who might help them on their journey.
Supporting Women-Owned Businesses
Community building extends beyond personal connections to economic empowerment. Our event purposefully incorporated local women-owned businesses, who provided gifts for all participants in a special giveaway facilitated by Diana Lerner Ketelaars, Chair Woman of International Almere Community.
This initiative showcased our commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in Almere, creating a tangible example of how our community can lift each other up economically. When we direct our support toward businesses within our community, we strengthen the foundation upon which we all stand.
Continuing the Connections
A single event, no matter how inspiring, can only do so much. That’s why we’re thrilled that our International Women’s Day celebration has sparked ongoing initiatives:
- Weekly Sunday meetings will bring women together in smaller groups, allowing for deeper connections
- A “homework” assignment encourages each participant to follow up with at least one woman they met at the event
These continued touchpoints are essential for transforming one-time interactions into lasting relationships. Building community isn’t a one-day event — it’s an ongoing practice of showing up for each other, time and again.
Join Our Growing Community
If you missed our “Fearless & Unstoppable” event but are interested in connecting with international women in Almere, it’s not too late to become part of our community. Our upcoming Sunday meetings welcome newcomers, and we’re always open to expanding our circle. Follow our events page on the International Almere Community website to stay updated on our upcoming gatherings and activities.
You can also join our private chat group to connect with members and get updates about our Sunday gatherings: https://m.me/ch/AbZFwBwyyGSIfi4c/
In a global world that can sometimes feel disconnected despite all our technological tools, there’s immense value in creating in-person spaces where international women can find belonging, support, and inspiration. As our event demonstrated, when we come together with intention, we create something powerful — a community where each woman can be truly fearless and unstoppable.
*For more information about upcoming events and how to join the International Almere Community, follow our events page on our website. To become a voting or non-voting member of our community, you can register through this link: https://internationalalmere.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?
