"I have been in the Netherlands for almost 4 years. Dutch society and culture encourage me to go further, to try new things."
Aminah is passionate about writing and as a ROMPRO volunteer she writes articles of interest to Romanians here while working on the website.
What made you come to the Netherlands?
Together with my husband, I took up an internet advertisement for a warehouse job in the Netherlands. At that time we wanted to work for a relevant salary that would allow us to realise our personal dreams.
Before leaving Romania, did you feel informed about what was waiting for you here? Did you have any pleasant surprises or the opposite? What do you wish you had known or had available that could have made the process easier for you?
Absolutely not. I don't remember very well, but I don't think we looked for much information, being more interested in a decent job in a country where we knew English was spoken. Over time I preferred to ignore the less pleasant experiences, focusing on growing professionally and enjoying what the country had to offer.
How long have you been here? Have you adapted well to the new culture? How was the process and how long did it take? How long did it take you to feel at home? What problems did you face or are you still facing?
I have been in the Netherlands for almost 4 years. Working through an employment agency, I can say that I isolated myself, it was simple to have little to do with Dutch culture. I am however passionate about culture in general, my studies have always focused on history and culture, so I have not missed the opportunity to travel around the country, to visit museums and cathedrals, to try to observe the "others" and only in the last half a year have I managed to make some connections with Dutch citizens, with some students working on a project called "De Mens achter Oost Europese uitzendkrachten in Nederland", with others making friends, but in a Dutch style if I may say so (sometimes I have the impression that they lack the warmth that we Romanians radiate in the friendships we make).One of the biggest difficulties is learning the Dutch language. It's almost frustrating and at the same time I know where I'm going wrong and I know I'm not consistent. This is probably the biggest challenge I have at the moment.
What do you still find difficult to understand about Dutch culture?
I try not to perceive it as hard to understand, but rather different from what I know, have learned or probably have prejudices about.
What has changed in your way of life since living here?
I'm really glad that seeing them the way they are makes me more relaxed, that I can focus on the really valuable things and not the superficial ones.
How do you see the relationship with other Romanians and the preservation of the Romanian identity abroad?
Since I moved to my second job placement agency, I have always been surrounded by Romanians, I have always felt almost at home in this regard.
With regard to the Romanian identity, it would be fair to say that we have finally made peace. In order to remain truly myself, I have learned to value the fact that I am Romanian, I have made it a point of pride and I have always introduced myself as "I am Aminah, Romanian".
Why did you choose to get involved in the Foundation's work and what would you like to achieve through your contribution?
I wanted to get involved because I wanted to get out of my comfort bubble, I wanted to get to know different stories of Romanians in the Netherlands, I wanted to combine several passions, those of writing, volunteering and meeting new people.
What do you like to do? What profession have you chosen and why?
I'm a complex person and I've noticed that I "reformulate" myself once in a while. One dream that never died was to write, I got involved in various projects, tried and still do to find the right formula for me. But Aminah who writes is the private man, professionally things have not always been because I wanted them or because I chose out of passion. Three years ago I started working at the greenhouse as an unskilled worker , so that in time I would become a team leader, have the opportunity to learn a lot and grow within the company.
Would you like to tell us about a funny, interesting or maybe not so pleasant event that you experienced in the Netherlands?
I was walking around the small town where I live and saw an old lady coming out of her house with a few things for sale, including books. Plus she had a cat that kept crawling around her feet, and I love cats. For about 2 minutes I struggled to speak a sentence in Dutch, to which she would respond gently in perfect English. It may not be funny, but it warmed my heart with the way she chose to treat me.
What are your plans for the future and how will you put them into practice? Do you consider Dutch society to be a good environment for them? If not, what would be the obstacles to their realisation?
Dutch society and culture encouraged me to go further, to try new things. Future plans include learning Dutch at an advanced level, taking a driving licence and working in human resources for a Dutch company.
Do you have any advice for people thinking of emigrating to the Netherlands? Or would you like to convey something specific that you couldn't through the answers above?
My advice is to be prepared for a different culture, a different way of life and to be open-minded.
Your motto or a quote that motivates you.
On my Linkedin profile I chose to put the following in my professional profile description: I teach, I guide, I provide results. I really live by that premise.
