The Challenge: When Language Becomes a Barrier
Let’s be honest, official Dutch letters can feel like a mini escape room. You open the envelope, spot a few familiar words, and then… get completely lost in long sentences and legal terms.
If you’re studying or starting your career in the Netherlands, you’ve probably faced this moment: a letter from your gemeente, DUO, or health insurance company that you really need to understand, but Google Translate just doesn’t cut it.
You’re not alone. Millions of newcomers and internationals in the Netherlands struggle to understand official communication, leading to stress, confusion, and delays.
A Story of Resilience: From Refugee to Founder
This is where Habib Rezai’s story begins. When he arrived in the Netherlands as a ten-year-old refugee, he suddenly became the “translator” for his entire family. Every government letter, every appointment reminder, it all went through him.
He remembers feeling lost and excluded by the complex Dutch system. “It took me years to realize the problem wasn’t with me, but with a system that wasn’t designed for us,” Habib says.
Years later, after working as a social worker and certified interpreter, Habib decided to change the game. He co-founded TolkApp, an app designed to give newcomers and international students the power to understand official letters on their own terms.
