To answer how it is like to work in a Dutch-International office we talked to Niclas, who works in a Dutch company with colleagues from all parts of the world.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to work in an international environment? Are you thinking of
Why did you decide to work in the Netherlands?
Two things convinced me to move here. First of all, Channable, the company I currently work for. And second, I heard so many great things about the Netherlands without actually having been there. I asked my self what would be the worst thing that can happen and just went for it.
How did you come across the job at Channable?
This is a funny story. I knew I wanted to work in another country after graduating. However, there were too many countries to choose from. So I simply googled “Jobs for Swedish people in the EU”. A job website appeared and I found Channables job listing. The rest is history: I applied and got the job.
At your job, what do you experience as mainly Dutch?
My Dutch colleagues eat so much bread! Some of them have bread five (!) times a week for lunch. Unbelievable!
How do you experience working in an international environment?
I love it! I sit in the most international room at our office. When I walk to the kitchen to refill my water bottle, I hear French, Spanish, English, German, Dutch, Italian and sometimes even Swiss German. Everyone has such a different background, but we are a very young company and share our cultures. It so exciting to see so many different people working in one place.
What don’t you enjoy about working in the Netherlands?
Generally, I like to talk, but sometimes it’s hard to join in a conversation if it’s a language I don’t speak. I am also very guilty of this for I didn’t learn Dutch yet. Besides that, I miss being able to see my family as often as I did before.
What was the weirdest thing you experienced in the Netherlands?
My classic go-to example is about when I was looking for an apartment and noticed that some of the places were missing floors. At first, I didn’t think much of it until I found out that Dutch people sometimes take their floors with them when they move out of a rental apartment.
What was the hardest thing about
The actual process of moving. When moving to a foreign country, you have to think of a lot of things. You need to open a bank account to receive your salary. You must not forget to take out health insurance, because it is mandatory when you work in the Netherlands. But also things like getting a phone and a phone number, are not straightforward as an international. It’s very easy to forget these things. Moreover, a lot of necessary information is only available in Dutch. That’s why websites like comeandstay.nl are perfect for all newcomers in the Netherlands.
Thank you for the compliment Niclas. 😉 We take it!
About Niclas:
Swedish on paper, Niclas is born in Germany and moves to China after only two years of being on this earth. But actually, his journey is just about to begin. After two years, his family moves to Austria, where Niclas finishes his primary education. After six years, he and his family move again, this time back to Germany where Niclas successfully attains his high school diploma. So far, having only spent his holidays in his “home” country Sweden, Niclas decides to complete his bachelor’s degree in business and economics at Lund University. However, you probably have guessed it by now, Niclas moves again soon. His heart longs for more, and as soon as Niclas graduates from University, he moves to the Netherlands where he now works for Channable as an Account Manager for the Nordic market.
Are you also looking for a job in the Netherlands? In the section job seeker you find a lot of tips for your job hunt in the Netherlands. Read more about where to look for jobs, how to dutchify your CV and much more. Good Luck!
