I was reading the “Foreigners in the Netherlands” group on orkut last night and I came across something that confirmed many of my fears about what I will be experiencing in less than six months. I have to admit that it put me off a bit. So all you Dutchies, start convincing me otherwise in the comments.
There is no need to convince you. If you are truly open minded just go, find out for yourself & make up your own mind. Leaving your comfort zone may be a challenge but it will ALWAYS be rewarding.
Hey there! I saw your website on my referrals for my website stats. Don’t let my list get you down. I am quite possibly one of the least adaptable people alive and moving to the Netherlands was a big challenge for me. One I didn’t take very well. It’s only been recently that I have come to actually like it here and give it a chance. Before that I was just being a brat and was determined to hate it so I could go home again.
Living in the Netherlands is not all bad. If I were to give you one piece of advice, it’s to make sure you get into the “Inburgeringscursus” which is the integration program for foreigners right away. I didn’t do this and am only starting myself next week (after 5 years, yes I know.. pitiful). I decided to do this after meeting a canadian girl who moved here recently and is in these classes. She’s much more integrated and has more friends than me and I’ve been here 5x as long.
So, my list is a bit biased as it was written when I still sort of disliked it here. Now that I’ve let go of that, I’m sure my list of likes will grow.
It’s really not that bad here, just make the effort to learn the langauge and don’t let yourself get hung up on the things you don’t have here that you had at home, it will make you and everyone around you crazy (trust me I know!).
Sorry to babble on, I just felt bad that I was confirming doubts you have about moving here. hehe
Tammy
(Breigh)
OK, it is almost a year since this post and I have lived in NL for over 4 months now. I have heard “dat kan niet” many times, and heard “that is not possible” in english just as many times. It is still very frustrating to me, because usually the thing is very easily possible, they just won’t do it because I am a foreigner.