‘I WAS ABLE TO FULLY INTEGRATE AND TAKE PART’

Chicca Carvelli (53) is from Italy and lives in Oegstgeest. ‘I thought everything here was super modern.’

‘I first came to the Netherlands in 1996 to visit friends, while I was studying communication science in Italy. After meeting my current husband, I settled here permanently in 1999.

‘I wanted to study Dutch Studies for a year to learn the language, and then continue with communication science in Utrecht. However, I ended up continuing with Dutch Studies and also completed a master’s, specialising in art history.

‘The programme has done a lot for me: it has enabled me to build a life here that’s on a par with that of a native Dutch person. Because I have a good command of the language, I can read the newspapers and understand how the tax system, healthcare and insurance work. I was able to fully integrate and take part in society here.

‘I also write fluent Dutch. I still speak with an accent, but I can work with it. I speak Italian with my daughter and Dutch with my husband.

‘After graduating, I first worked as a volunteer teaching foreigners about the Dutch language, culture and society. I did this at senior secondary vocational education schools (MBO), among other places. The people I taught were often troubled young people who had suffered trauma. Until the birth of my daughter, I worked as an interpreter and translator, for museums and the Chamber of Commerce, for example. Later, I trained as a higher vocational education (HBO) nurse, supplemented with post-HBO courses. I support people with severe problems and provide therapy. I’m thinking of continuing my studies to become a nurse specialist.

Windmills and drugs

‘Before I came here, I had this image of clogs, windmills and tulips. I also thought everything here was super modern: drugs were tolerated, which was unusual. But when I lived in Katwijk for a while, I was taken aback: you can’t even go to the shops on Sundays. That took some getting used to. I was brought up very freely in Italy.

 ‘I also lived in Amsterdam, The Hague and Leiden before moving to Oegstgeest. Those cities are a huge contrast to Katwijk. I’ve lived here for nearly thirty years now and have seen Dutch culture become more international. In my view, a kind of mix of all sorts of cultures has emerged. 

‘I’m proud to live here. The Netherlands has given me an opportunity, and I wonder if there are other countries that offer the same kind of possibilities. Still, I’m not sure if I want to stay here for the rest of my life, mainly because of the weather. When I retire, I’d like to live in a warmer, sunnier country: Portugal or somewhere in South America, for example.’

‘I THOUGHT: WHAT ARE THESE CRAZY PEOPLE DOING?’

Will Hoyer (35) is from the United States and lives in The Hague. ‘I love Dutch directness. In America, everyone is so fake nice and polite.’

‘My grandparents are Dutch but they moved to the US decades ago. They always spoke Dutch to each other, unlike the rest of my family. I was born in Michigan, studied theatre in Chicago and then lived in New York, where I was a stand-up comedian and an actor in short films.

‘Eventually, I had three jobs: waiter, comedian and yoga teacher. I lost all of them due to the pandemic, which left me with a lot of free time on my hands. I thought: I have Dutch roots, I’m going to look for a Dutch-language programme. But in the US the options were limited, so that’s how I ended up at Dutch Studies in Leiden. 

‘I moved here and started in 2021. I thought Leiden was a beautiful city and took lots of lovely photos for Instagram. But I also found it a bit of a sleepy place, so on weekends I mostly went out in Amsterdam or The Hague. 

Cycling without a helmet

‘For the first six months, I was afraid to cycle here. In Chicago, everyone wears a helmet when cycling, but here, almost no one does. I thought: what are these crazy people doing? But I didn’t want to look like a tourist, so I didn’t wear a helmet either. I can cycle really well now.

‘I completed the bachelor’s in three years and really enjoyed the programme. It was great for my language skills and I still have a very good relationship with my lecturers. Many of my classmates were Chinese, and by the end of the programme, they also spoke fantastic Dutch. It must have been even more difficult for them, since the language is so different from their own.

‘I also learnt a lot about history and culture, from the hunebedden to the Second World War. The highlight of Dutch culture? The sheer number of bicycles here: it’s really remarkable. 

‘The Dutch are very direct. If I were still a comedian, I would definitely have made jokes about that. In America, everyone is so fake nice and polite. But I like that directness. My boyfriend also says exactly what he thinks, so I don’t have to guess what he means, haha! I’ve become more direct myself as well.

Expats

‘I’ve noticed that people are becoming less and less patient with the government and with issues like migration. Look at the violence following the demonstrations that got out of hand. But it’s nowhere near the level in the US, where everyone is constantly angry with one another. Though I do understand that people are afraid of losing their culture when refugees from all corners of the globe come here. The Netherlands is a small country.

‘I think it’s a shame that so many expats live here without speaking a word of Dutch. They should make more of an effort to learn the language. All government communication is in Dutch! I’d find it daunting to live here without being able to understand it.  

‘I definitely don’t want to go back to America, given the political situation. My parents, brother and sister still live there. I’m also getting married to my boyfriend this year or the next, so I’m happy to stay here. And I want to find a job where I can speak Dutch all day long.

‘I’m currently doing a master’s in English Literature in Leiden and I teach seven yoga classes a week. After that, I would like to do PhD research into seventeenth-century English plays.’

‘ALL MY FELLOW STUDENTS HAVE THEIR OWN STORIES’

Dan Hou (34) is from China and lives in Leiden. ‘Dutch people think this country is bureaucratic, but I actually find it efficient.’

‘Other languages and cultures have always been a passion of mine. In China I studied Arabic, and when I came here for my then boyfriend, I did the premaster’s in Middle Eastern Studies in Leiden. But that didn’t suit me. So then I thought: why not study Dutch?

‘In 2015, I started Dutch Studies. I enjoyed the programme very much and there was a great atmosphere. I really loved my lecturers. All your fellow students, who come from all over the world, each have their own story. Everyone was incredibly kind. 

‘My favourite subjects were related to cultural history. I remember doing an assignment on hofjes in Dutch cities, which was a wonderful way to learn more about history and social welfare.  

‘I spent a lot of time in the Lipsius building, not just for tutorials but also with my language buddy, a Dutch student studying Chinese. That way, we could help each other learn the language. I also loved taking dance classes at the former LAK Theatre, like jazz, burlesque and hip-hop. 

Eating pancakes

‘Before I moved here, I associated the Netherlands with same-sex marriage, weed and freedom. Once I arrived, that image turned out to be pretty accurate. I also love Dutch directness; it makes communication a lot easier.

‘When I finished my Dutch Studies programme in 2019, I decided to stay here. It didn’t make sense to me to move to China or another country now that I’d studied Dutch. I started working as an account manager at a furniture store in Noordwijkerhout. 

‘I speak Dutch from time to time, but my current boyfriend is Serbian, so I speak English with him. And I also speak English with my colleagues who are Dutch 

‘I would describe Dutch culture as a very vibrant society. People are engaged with what’s happening in both society and their own neighbourhood. I do find the food a bit bland, so I don’t go to Dutch restaurants very often. Sometimes for a pancake, but I prefer spicy, international and Asian dishes.

‘Dutch people think this country is bureaucratic, but I actually find it quite efficient, compared to Spain or France, for example. I’m very happy and grateful to be living here.’