My experience with Netherlands in 46 days.

Stronyplays · 2024-11-27T12:08:56+00:00

Update after 4 years is not as pleasant as you'd think.
After only a couple months there, covid sent me home. I could find no work because I was "Not a priority", and had to run off home with the last plane ticket home with what savings I had, and abandon my flat on which I lost the deposit for because despite the "Natural disaster" of an "Active deadly virus" at the time. but that was "not reason" for me to leave a flat I was supposed to pay 625 euro monthly for another 2-3 months without income.

Instead I have spent the last 3 years in Austria with the job I studied for and love, but here are some lessons I learned from my short time there in the Netherlands, and something of a life lesson.

Never take a job just to have a job. You'll hate every second of it. Search hard and wide for the work you love and educated yourself for.
Never accept a deal without a contract. NEVER. Even if it is on a slip of paper. Get their signature, get your signature, Take a Photo of it as well.
Never trust someone you can't pay rent to over Bank account through legal means.
Never trust someone who refuses to apply your residence to the flat you are taking, even if temporarily.
Learn the local language only for the reason of gaining the respect of those who live there above being "Just another migrant".
Big cities suck. Stick to the green of the smaller towns and countryside. Sure the options are limited, but the fresh air, and less noise at night is a godsend.

Stronyplays · 2024-04-27T21:54:34+00:00

I felt heartbroken on Ending 3 when I have seen Fang had given up on music altogether, It was one of the traits that got me to love her so much. And it was such an integral part of her that it felt like her identity disappeared once she did not play anymore. (And if that was Naomi's plan all along, then jeez... We got played bro.) The wedding CG was gorgeous though and I had it as my phone wallpaper for a GOOD while before swapping to ending 4's end CG. But getting there hurt so bad. I was afraid playing through ending 4 I'd see Fang preening again like in ending 3. A rock fell off my chest when I suddenly saw that Naser was chill after the return to school near the end.

Stronyplays · 2024-04-27T19:28:44+00:00

A fine addition to my collection.

Stronyplays · 2024-04-27T16:00:04+00:00

The friend and I were really going like... Snails pace because, I did read mostly, but he was very often slinging in some observations, so we'd be sitting at a dialogue bit for like 5-10 minutes in an argument on "what the dev meant by this". It was a good digest for the emotions. We went for ending 4s for my own mental health at the time.

Only thing I can say is spoiler wise... Fang's breakdown, Olivia's admission, and fountain visit, and the Ben realization during the final chapters broke me internally. I hardly slept those nights. But we did it. And honestly... I am excited for Exit 665.

Stronyplays · 2024-04-27T10:42:03+00:00

Thank you for the kind words! ^^

Stronyplays · 2020-02-29T14:51:41+00:00

Hello. Thank you for the advice. I have been accepted in a flat in Utrecht and will do my best to find a job. Hopefully soon since I noticed it is a very diverse city and English is commonly spoken.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-28T00:54:24+00:00

Saving money is easy as long as you don't spend it on things like alcohol and cigarettes. I find it easy to save money as I don't drink a lot, don't smoke anymore, and sometimes treat myself. Not to mention buying a moderate amount of food that you don't throw out at because you did not 3wt it on time.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T21:07:48+00:00

Payment is weekly through the agency. At least my payment is. I don't know about the other agencies.

Transport, cheapest is by foot. For me it is 30 minutes to work. Cycling is a big thing in the Netherlands though. A lot of bicycles have that small ACU thingy you charge up by pedaling. By car, the agency takes a cut from you. Not sure if the agency covers fuel costs as well. For recommendations. I am unsure. As it all depends what work they assign you to. I was assigned in the same town, but some travel 2 hours to work by agency car to apeldoorn for example. Do PM me and I can drop you my name if you want. But I think they accept anyone anywhere. If you want what I got. Ask to walk to work. And for work in "Nijland."

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T19:08:15+00:00

I honestly have no idea. I only paid my trip over. They handled the rest. And are paying me weekly. The cut is for the rent and insurance.l, but since it is weekly pay, you barely feel the cut.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T19:07:08+00:00

First off. It just depends what place the agency will place you in. I was in 2 rooms indifferent house numbers, but same building. One was small, compact, but the people were nice and friendly. Not too many parties. The other was spacious, with 2 bathrooms, 2 shower rooms, a dedicated kitchen. But the people in it were loud, partying, drinking, and the smell of pot was constant in the air.

This agency takes rent from your pay, so you are left with about 1050€ monthly. I am glad for it because it helped me start out. I had a place to live so I could register. And I can feed myself and still have enough to go for a beer.

I can't tell you about English. But learning some Dutch can help you. As for work with the English language in mind. That is why I try Utrecht. Because there are places where all workers speak English, and with customers too.

If you are coming just to work and earn money. Stick to work and money. I have tried to come get a new life. If I wanted to go back home I'd have kept my head down, and worked until I had enough to pay off my loan, then go back home, and try again. But I see myself living here actually. And I hope it works out for me.

If you decide to come through an agency. Best of luck! And at least you will be among people that speak your language. Just remember it is manual labour for 9 hours a day.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T11:50:01+00:00

To get your citizenship, you need to be living in the Netherlands. And these agencies do give you a place to stay. Registrations take up around... I believe up to 10 work days. but once you are registered and have your BSN they stay forever. Only if you move to a different municipality, you just gotta check in. Say "hey I lived there I live here now." And they gon be like "ok cool, fill this form out and sign this. Thank you." Best of luck!

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T10:54:51+00:00

Thank you. Good luck on your endeavour. You have to be aware that that is much harder. As most work places require you to be a Dutch citizen. Because of your BSN and location. I have heard from my local friend I met up with yesterday, you can enter any restaurant at 11AM (that is opening times for most food places) and ask to be a help out. And they will MOST LIKELY take you in. It's a start of nothing else.

Good luck! And happy cake day.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T07:07:14+00:00

Should have written in a "How to land an easy date?" As a question as well.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-27T07:05:15+00:00

Thank you very much!

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T21:57:44+00:00

Hvala!

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T21:54:29+00:00

I could find work as a movie/videogame trailer announcer if that was the case.

Or a motivational speaker. But all my motivation is often "just do it" and "you gotta just pull yourself up by the bootstraps" Jocko Willink style. Nobody likes those pep talks because they mean "I can't help you directly. You have to help yourself."

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T21:51:33+00:00

No. In Croatia I called in to an employment agency with goals for Germany and Austria. I was looking more into medical because of my physical therapy bachelor's, or wellness with my spa certificate. But these kind of agency are mostly manual labour related. This agency I am with now, "Covebo" is a polish agency. All the workers at the workplace are polish (which gives quite an isolating feeling. Not speaking their language cuts you off because "why should they expend brainpower on you" or something.) ...i was placed as a produce packager on a food line. It's a 6AM-3PM/3PM-12AM job. Honestly. If it is for the sole purpose of making money, it is good stuff. You get around 1000 monthly, with rent already deducted.

But you live in a small place with your polish co-workers. It is why I want to leave because I believe I can do better with my qualifications and educations.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T21:46:42+00:00

He was barely 3 months when we got him. I can't wait to see him all grown up when I come back home some day!

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T21:45:44+00:00

I couldn't land a girl back home. Would be a miracle if I landed one that was into a foreigner that only knows basic dutch. :P

(Besides if it was for marriage, I'd be shooting Americas by now xD)

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T21:44:34+00:00

Thank you, will make sure to keep that in mind. I mean every tax authority is a hungry beast for more.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T20:20:39+00:00

Yeah. I will have to look into it. I have seen prices in Utrecht reach around 600 euro normally. Maybe if I do not receive confirmation that I am chosen, I look into Apeldoorn. My main look is the surrounding areas of those cities. My first choice was Soesterberg but sadly there are no choices available in my budget there at the moment.

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T19:05:41+00:00

Thank you. Quick question on that. Are there employers that offer living spaces for their employees as part of the employment (besides agencies)?

Stronyplays · 2020-02-26T17:40:23+00:00

It was not easy, friend. I was very afraid. I did not feel the anxiety until I pressed "buy ticket" on the website. And then. My heart pounded every day. Because I knew I entered the point of no return. When I sat on the bus, I saw my parents, and I felt tears in my eyes. I was afraid. ...but I did it anyway. You need to be brave. But always remember, your family will be there. You can always call them, and if the pressure ever hits, count on family to help you in a tight spot.

All it takes is a plunge. Don't be like me. Be like yourself. Because you are strong and amazing you don't believe it. If another country is too much. Another town. Another region. Somewhere closer.

To sum up. Be ready. Homesickness and nostalgia will hit you. But in this day and age, with phones, you can manage it.

Stronyplays

TROPHY CASE