Second batch of international trainees arrive in the Netherlands for MOBILISE program

On Sunday, June 29th ,the Netherlands welcomed a new group of 34 international trainees for the mobility phase of the MOBILISE program. This year’s cohort includes 15participants from Tunisia and 19 from Egypt, who landed in Amsterdam to begin a three-month training and work experience within the Dutch horticultural sector.

The group kicked off their stay with an introductory week at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Dronten during the first week of July. The program combined technical sessions on climate-smart horticulture in the Dutch context and an orientation on Dutch culture and daily life. The trainees also went on site visits to horticultural businesses, heard from industry professionals, and received an overview of the academic tasks they’ll be expected to complete during their time in the Netherlands.

Alongside a full schedule, the trainees managed to settle in, get used to cycling, and handle key logistical arrangements for their stay. Their enthusiasm was clear as they adapted to student life in a Dutch academic setting and looked ahead to their upcoming work placements.

On Friday, July 4th,the group departed—together with their academic supervisors—to their host companies located throughout the country, where they will spend the remainder of their stay. A mid-term workshop and evaluation session is planned for the final week of August, offering an opportunity to reconnect with peers and Aeres staff before continuing their traineeships through to the end of September.