“I went from total frustration, not knowing heads from tails, to being able to advise friends, colleagues in any language how to navigate it,” she tells Delano. Most communes have integration committees which, she says, can be a great first point of contact for understanding the ins and outs of a local authority. She urges new arrivals to seek out committee members online.
Residents should also take advantage of meet and greets and other community events organised by the commune and give them “more than one chance.” Some communes will post information useful for residents online, though you will be pushed to find it in English, Beresford says.
Also, if you go to the commune for information or a particular service, don’t be surprised if customer service is not their top priority. Beresford says that learning and using Luxembourgish can quickly transform this experience. Most importantly, when dealing with the commune, she advises people to “remain open, respectful and don’t be afraid to voice your concerns.”