From Boston to the Netherlands
About a month ago, Richard left Boston to start a job at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. We spoke to him about this huge step and his arrival in the Netherlands.
“Travelling and moving is nothing strange to me. Earlier, I moved from Ireland to Boston. Still, this move was somewhat different to me, as my partner and I promised each other to make this move a more permanent one. During a previous trip I had already spent some time in the Netherlands. I could see myself building a life here; I liked the country as well as the people. I wanted to live near the sea, as it seemed especially wonderful to be able to cycle to the beach.
The preparation was tough. A lot had to be arranged and in the meantime I was still teaching. It was therefore very nice that Tilburg University had called in the services of P&D Expat Care for me. While I was winding up matters concerning my life in Boston, the concerns of the start-up here in the Netherlands were taken off my hands. The paperwork was arranged, translated and explained, so that all I had to do was place my signature. Finding a suitable property seemed like the biggest challenge to me, but with the help of the P&D Expat Care team, this was also successful. The photos and specifications of the most appealing properties were sent back and forth and I even got a virtual tour. Everything was taken care of really well. Of course there were days when I woke up stressed from all that still had to be arranged, but then another email appeared with an update and I was completely at ease again.
I have now started my job and enjoying myself in my new city of residence. My partner will be heading this way in six months. That is of course a bit difficult, but we know what we are doing it for. We have digital contact on a daily basis, which already makes a huge difference. I can also easily keep in touch with my old colleagues this way, as we have been communicating with each other like this for the past year.
While the journey was of course quite hectic and exhausting, the whole move actually went incredibly smooth, except that I could only book my ticket a few days before departure! Of course, there are many things that could have gone wrong in between but they didn’t.
In any case, P&D Expat Care has made the transition a lot easier and more pleasant for me. From all the help during the preparations to a warm and personal welcome in my new apartment. Everything was arranged down to the last detail, even my WiFi was working the day I arrived. I will not claim that without them I would not have taken the plunge to go to live and work in the Netherlands, but the peace of mind they have managed to create is priceless! ”