Let’s Make Amsterdam feel like home
Personal lifestyle guidance for international professionals new to Amsterdam.
Individual sessions & Corporate onboarding
You’ve moved to Amsterdam. Your registration is done, your job has started, and your calendar is full. Yet, despite living here, you’re not really landing or feeling connected.
Urban Kickstart helps you genuinely connect with Amsterdam
That’s where Urban Kickstart comes in. We connect you, socially and culturally, with Amsterdam in a way that fits your interests. From a local perspective, you’ll get everything you need, from the essentials like trends, neighborhoods, and subcultures, to recommendations about events, places, subscriptions, and more. And it all happens in one in-person kickstart session.
Your one-off personal kickstart Session
You and your local expert meet at a cozy, inspiring café or bar in Amsterdam. Together, you focus on what matters to you to help you feel at home in the city. Skip sightseeing tours or endless lists of generic tips. Just a content-heavy one-off personal kickstart session with a local expert. We can schedule a 1.5 to 2 hour private 1:1, or bring your +1.
What people are saying
your benefits
Feel at home in Amsterdam faster, with real local insight, clarity, and a clear sense of direction.
Discover your Amsterdam, the neighborhoods, events, and more, that actually fit who you are.
Build genuine connections from the start, so settling in feels exciting rather than isolating.
Skip weeks of trial and error with recommendations tailored to your lifestyle and interests.
Navigate Amsterdam's social and cultural landscape with confidence, and stop feeling like an outsider.
All of this starts with one energizing, personal session with a local, in one of Amsterdam's favorite spots.
Meet Emma, Founder and local expert
Amsterdam is full of opportunity, you just need to know. As a born-and-raised local with an international mindset, I help professionals in Amsterdam feel connected, confident, and at home.
-
Cities don’t make people feel at home. People do, when they know where and how to connect.
Curating thoughtful recommendations and helping others experience the very best of a city is something I’ve done for as long as I can remember. Friends and family naturally turn to me for it, it’s instinctive.
Over time, I began supporting international professionals as well, who are often the ones who need this guidance most. Why? Because I speak their language. I understand their ambition, independence, and drive. And I know what it feels like to arrive somewhere new, capable and accomplished, yet still searching for belonging.
With a double Master’s degree and a background in strategy consulting, I combine structure and strategic thinking with a deep understanding of people. I’m analytical, practical, and comfortable navigating complexity, but always with a human touch.
Having lived in Amsterdam while constantly engaging with international talent, and having travelled solo for studies, conferences, and work, I bridge the gap between locals and expats naturally.
I love theatre, couple dancing, architecture walks, philosophy courses, podcasts, entrepreneurship, discovering new city trends, and the occasional great party. For me, a city is about culture, energy, and shared experiences.
The disconnect between locals and expats, and the loneliness that often comes with it, is real. I’ve experienced it myself. That’s why I’m committed to helping people feel genuinely connected and at home.
Your Amsterdam kickstart session
A one-off session designed to make Amsterdam feel like home fast.
The unwritten rules of the city: neighborhoods, culture, subcultures, and what's actually happening right now
Honest, personal recommendations for events, places, courses, media, subscriptions and communities that fit you
A clear path to meeting like-minded people and building a social life you actually enjoy
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Location: A curated Amsterdam cafe.
Interested? Get in touch.
For Companies
Your new international hire has found a place to live and started the job. But feeling at home in Amsterdam, that takes more than a contract.
Urban Kickstart helps employees genuinely land in the city, so they settle in faster, feel more connected, and show up with more energy.
What we offer:
Masterclass - a 1-hour live session for your team on navigating Amsterdam socially and culturally
Networking event - Urban Kickstart joins your event as a facilitator or guest expert
Employee sessions - individual follow-up sessions, bookable via a dedicated link or discount code
All components can be booked separately or combined into a tailored onboarding trajectory.
Interested? Reach out via emma@urbankickstart.com.
Partners & Mentions
Let’s connect
Contact form
Frequently asked questions
-
Q: What makes Urban Kickstart different from a regular city tour, apps or blogs?
A: Urban Kickstart isn't about sightseeing or generic tips. It's a personal session focused on how you experience Amsterdam, understanding the city, finding where you feel at ease, and connecting in ways that fit your rhythm and interests.
Q: What areas or neighborhoods do you cover?
A: We cover the entire city of Amsterdam and tailor the session to your preferred neighborhoods or interests, whether that's Oud-West, Jordaan, De Pijp, or anywhere else.
Q: Can you also help with language barriers or cultural adjustment?
A: Yes. Helping newcomers feel comfortable and connected is central to what we do, including navigating cultural differences and practical language tips.
Q: Can we focus on creative or professional goals, not just lifestyle?
A: Absolutely. If you're working on a project, business idea, or creative plan, we can explore how Amsterdam's networks, spaces, and communities can support it. Bring it up during your session or we can schedule time specifically for it.
Q: Can I gift a session to someone else?
A: Yes! A session makes a great welcome gift from a company to a new team member, or a thoughtful way to help a friend or family member settle into Amsterdam. Reach out via emma@urbankickstart.com or the contact form for gift options.
-
Q: What if I’m not sure the session is right for me?
A: No problem. You can reach out and ask any questions before deciding.
Q: Do I need to prepare anything in advance?
A: Just bring your curiosity. You're welcome to share any goals or interests when booking, but showing up with an open mind works just as well.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: Payment is completed securely online at the time of booking via cal.com. All major payment methods are accepted.
-
Q: Where do sessions take place?
A: We meet at an inspiring location in Amsterdam suited to your interests and energy, often a cosy coffee bar. You can share a preference when booking and we'll confirm the spot.
Q: Do you offer virtual sessions?
A: Our strong preference is to meet in person so you can truly experience the city. That said, virtual sessions are possible if you're not in Amsterdam yet or prefer to connect online. Just let us know.
Q: Can I bring someone to a session?
A: Yes. Sessions are designed with full focus on you, which is what makes them effective. If you'd like to bring your partner, a close friend, or family member you share a household with that’s totally fine.
Q: Who pays for drinks if we meet in a café?
A: Drinks are at your own expense.
Q: What language is the session in?
A: Sessions are available in English or Dutch, your choice. It's also a great opportunity to practise your Dutch if you'd like.
Q: Can you accommodate accessibility or mobility needs?
A: Yes. Please share any accessibility or mobility requirements when booking so we can choose a location that works well for you.
-
Q: Do you follow up after the session?
A: Yes, we stay available for short follow-up questions after any session. If there's more to explore, we can schedule a follow-up. We may also reach out occasionally if something comes up that's genuinely relevant to you, such as an event, a person with shared interests, or an available spot. You can opt out of this at any time.
-
Q: Can Urban Kickstart work with our organisation?
A: Yes. Urban Kickstart offers masterclasses, networking event facilitation, and individual sessions for employees, as a package or separately. Reach out via emma@urbankickstart.com for a tailored overview.
Q: Can we offer sessions as a benefit to our employees?
A: Absolutely. Companies can either pre-purchase a bundle of employee sessions at a reduced rate, or share a discount code so employees can book a standard 1.5-hour session at 10% off independently. See our B2B Pricing Overview for details.
Q: Can I introduce Urban Kickstart to my company?
A: Yes, through our Ambassador Program. You make the intro (a chat with HR, a mention at an event, a relaxed conversation with a decision-maker), we take it from there. Schedule a free Ambassador intro via cal.com.
-
Q: Do you help with housing, visas, or registration?
A: Urban Kickstart doesn't provide administrative or relocation services. If it's helpful, we can point you toward the right resources, but the session itself is about clarity, connection, and feeling at home, not paperwork.