@ox_legacy: 1. The expectation of polite hinting 🗣️: Back home, we wrap tough messages in layers of politeness to avoid offending anyone. Here? I had to let go of waiting for people to "read between the lines." or expecting people to communicate that way as well. Once you stop taking the blunt honesty personally, you realize how much time, and honestly mental energy, it actually saves you. 2. Spontaneous hangouts & "automatic" community 📅: I had to let go of the idea that I could just drop by a friend's house on a whim, or that community would just fall into my lap. In this highly individualistic, agenda-driven culture, if it’s not scheduled weeks in advance, it’s not happening. I am personally very guilty of that now. Building a support system here takes active, intentional work—you have to design your community, not just wait for it. 3. My old definition of what wealth looks like 🚲: Coming from a culture where status is worn on your sleeve, I had to completely shift my perspective on wealth. There are no flashy, loud displays of status here (or at least they look very different). Instead, you'll find your university professor, your company supervisor, or even a literal government minister cycling right next to you in the rain. True wealth here is quiet, practical, and incredibly grounded. 4. Relying solely on grades to progress professionally 💼: I used to think that a perfect GPA was the ultimate golden ticket to career success. But here, I had to let go of the idea that good grades are enough. The day I was happy to get a 5.5 was the day I knew I had truly let go. The Dutch professional world values a well-rounded human. Your extracurricular skills, your personality, and—most importantly—your ability to network and build genuine professional relationships matter just as much as, if not more than, the paper you graduated with. 5. My ego and pride as an African man 🇳🇱 Coming from Cameroon, language was somewhat tied to status. Arriving with fluent English, my ego almost stopped me from learning Dutch because no grown man wants to sound like a beginner, like a child basically. But I realized holding onto my pride was keeping me from truly learning and growing. English is enough to survive here, but to stop being a permanent observer and actually feel at home, you have to be willing to look foolish and learn Dutch. My fellow internationals in NL🇳🇱—which one of these did you struggle with the most when you first got here? Or what else did you have to let go of after moving here? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇 . . #netherlands #international #abroad #diaspora #lessons

Hillmann Batuo

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Region: NL

Tuesday 21 July 2026 05:33:28 GMT