I moved to the Netherlands in 2021, when I was 29. It all happened so fast that it took me a while to fully realise the impact of this decision. When the opportunity first came up, it felt like a dream—something I never imagined for myself. Me, a small-town girl from Gauteng, living overseas? It seemed unreal. But it happened, and here’s what I learned along the way:
Choosing the Right Time to Move:
The Dutch weather can be tough. We moved at the end of August 2021, going from winter in South Africa to the end of summer in Europe. This change affected my mental health more than I expected. I hadn’t really thought about how missing out on a whole summer and jumping straight into a long Dutch winter would feel. In South Africa, I used to joke about loving the rain, but in the Netherlands, it’s different. The rain here is more of a constant grey drizzle that lasts just a few minutes. It was hard to adjust, and I found myself missing home, and sometimes I still do.
Making New Friends—Especially South Africans:
Don’t be afraid to make friends with other South Africans. Some people I met here were hesitant to connect with fellow South Africans because they wanted to “fully integrate.” While it’s important to meet people from different backgrounds, I think it’s strange to avoid connecting with people from home. It’s a great way to build a support system and expand your social circle. I come from a big, close family and a tight group of high school friends, so making new friends was tough at first. But I soon discovered the joy of meeting new people, even later in life. In the Netherlands, it’s easy to strike up conversations, especially with other South Africans. My advice? Go to events with South African artists, join networking groups, and talk about your travel plans or cool places to visit in the Netherlands. Connecting with other South Africans is easy because most of us miss home, and honestly, we all like to chat about the gloomy Dutch weather!
Watching Rugby Matches with Other South Africans:
Rugby games are a great way to meet fellow South Africans. Places like Coco’s Outback in Rembrandt Square, Amsterdam, are popular spots. I’ve had some great times there cheering on our teams. Other good places are Three Sisters and the South African restaurant Lion’s Head. These spots are all in Amsterdam, but you can always ask around to find out where to watch matches in your area. Since moving, I’ve felt even more connected to my culture and my Afrikaans roots. You might think living abroad would make you feel less patriotic, but for me, it’s been the opposite.
Adapting to the Dutch Lifestyle:
Adjusting to the Dutch way of life was another learning curve. The Netherlands is known for its bike culture, and while I had ridden bikes before, biking everywhere, in all weather conditions, was new to me. At first, it felt overwhelming, but over time, I grew to love the freedom it offered. The Dutch are also very direct in their communication, which took some getting used to. But I’ve come to appreciate the honesty—it makes things clearer and helps you know where you stand.
Embracing the Adventure:
Despite the challenges, moving to the Netherlands has been an incredible adventure. It’s taught me to step out of my comfort zone, embrace change, and see the world from a different perspective. There have been ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. It’s shaped me in ways I never expected and given me stories I’ll be telling for years to come.
The South African Expat 