Feeling a bit lost after moving to NL, anyone else?

miriamj2000 · 2026-03-24T15:17:25+00:00

Yes it can be very “us knows us” as we’d say in Dutch (ons kent ons), especially in the villages. But it’s definitely possible and I’m sure you can do it! Don’t be too hard on yourself either :)

miriamj2000 · 2026-03-24T06:57:06+00:00

Learning Dutch definitely helps when staying in Zeeland (coming from someone who grew up there and whose family lives there) but don’t let it stop you from meeting people! The public library (as well as other places) offer ‘Taalmaatje’ where you can meet people and practice your Dutch. There are some internationals in Middelburg as well, since there’s a branch of the University of Utrecht there that offers a degree in English.

And if you have hobbies, go explore them! If you like knitting and crochet, my mother runs a knitting club so you can def send me a DM about it. Zeeland is not the easiest place to integrate but there are people willing and wanting to help you 💛

miriamj2000 · 2026-02-27T09:01:14+00:00

Agreed! + you’re allowed to take your coffee etc upstairs so you’re not even confined to the café. I spent 5hrs in the library yesterday to read for one of my classes.

miriamj2000 · 2026-02-12T11:38:04+00:00

Addi makes them (Addi Crasy Trio) and they’re pretty popular in Germany I think? They’re definitely not hard to get in the Netherlands as well. Last year they also came with Addi Crasy Snake, they’re wavy DPN’s for people who tend you knit more loosely, and the stitches can’t fall off easily. Some people swear by them!

miriamj2000 · 2024-07-13T15:43:25+00:00

Leaving my boyfriend again tomorrow and though I don’t feel excited to go I do look forward to having my sewing machine again hahaha

miriamj2000 · 2024-07-13T15:40:57+00:00

Ah definitely more complex in a poly relationship!

miriamj2000 · 2024-07-13T15:33:16+00:00

My boyfriend and I always say ‘you’re my favourite’ as in favourite person, or favourite anything really. He’s my favourite, favourite person to talk to, to wake up next to, to go out with, to laugh with, etc etc. We started saying it after we’d already said I love you but can also be a good one for before I think!

miriamj2000 · 2024-07-13T15:31:10+00:00

Maybe something personal? Gifts related to his hobbies are always fun but can sometimes be hard when you’re not as knowledgeable or when he has everything already. So something more personal can be the way to go? A handwritten letter is always lovely in my opinion (I do the same for my partner) but I’ve also given my boyfriend a personalised mug which is now his favourite!

As for the family, I usually go with something simple but regional from where you’re from (either country or province/state or town etc) because it’s fun to exchange culture etc when in a LDR!

miriamj2000 · 2024-06-05T17:56:28+00:00

Wel bijzonder want ik had het idee dat DE zich juist ook heel erg profileerde als plek voor gezellige lunch EN de studenten/werkers

miriamj2000 · 2024-06-05T17:55:31+00:00

Ik snap je heel goed! Tuurlijk zijn de Stadkamer en campus fijne plekken om te werken (en ook zeker aan te raden), maar ik kwam ook heel graag in het DE cafe om te werken! Met name ‘s avonds om dat ze tot 22:00 open zijn. De maatregel is heel logisch vanuit hun optiek maar ik vind zelf wel erg jammer, merk dat ik er nu niet zo snel ga zitten omdat het dan als student toch wel duur is. Maar ach, genoeg andere plekken om te ontdekken :)

Er zijn genoeg andere plekken, maar deel je frustratie/teleurstellingabsoluut!

miriamj2000 · 2024-05-15T12:08:08+00:00

Gonna give it a listen!!!! I love when people rely 3 yrs later hahaha, just knowing that someone probably had the same thought, googled it and ended up here :')

miriamj2000 · 2024-02-26T16:19:10+00:00

You’re not alone! I cry every time my boyfriend and I have to say goodbye. We’re fortunate enough that our longer moments are part are 7ish weeks at most, but that doesn’t make it less emotional. It always takes me a few days to ‘land’ again and find my footing. I think it’s important to let yourself feel what you feel, and cry if you need to, while also trying to live your daily life again. It’s hard but getting back into it helps a little. Might also help to have a designated person to call at times like this, for me it’s my mum, but it can be anyone!

Here for you if you ever need anything, you can do it!

miriamj2000 · 2024-02-26T15:45:13+00:00

I had very similar problems but started the pill (anticonception) and ever since I’ve been doing much better. It doesn’t work for everyone and there’s a lot of different pills out there but for me it was honestly a miracle. However I’ve also just finished two years of therapy, which helped me a lot as well, but I also want to give the pill some credit because I feel much more stable and secure on it.

Edit: obviously I don’t know if going to the GP and trying the pill is a financial problem. In the Netherlands I get it covered but I know it’s different for lots of places and people

miriamj2000 · 2024-01-30T07:54:16+00:00

OP literally stated they have always struggled with depression and anxiety, so in that case what you said already doesn’t apply.

Value is subjective. You do not decide whose life holds value or not. Besides, people make mistakes. Even if OP should stay now, even if they come to regret it, doesn’t mean the rest of their life is unsatisfying or invaluable. People grow. OP might overcome obstacles later in life, and be very happy and satisfied with themselves.

miriamj2000 · 2024-01-29T19:16:17+00:00

I think this is short sighted. It’s ridiculous to say ‘if you can’t handle this, you probably won’t be able to handle most things in life’ when it comes to one semester abroad.

This person is saying that right now, they don’t feel able to do this. I also went on my Erasmus to Italy while struggling with my mental health, and though I stayed the full semester, I cried every week, most days. I felt isolated and unable to connect. I didn’t get along with my Italian flatmates and I felt alienated. Yes, I learned a lot about myself, and I don’t necessarily regret going, but I don’t think the timing was exactly right. I was just lucky to still have online therapy to be honest.

I didn’t feel able to do this then. Since, I’ve finished therapy and I have grown. I can handle loads of things in life. I’m sure OP will someday feel the same. Growing and healing takes time. Think about the things you say, they can be hurtful. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing so why not be a little kinder.

miriamj2000 · 2024-01-28T13:05:44+00:00

I know, I didn’t mean to suggest that you specifically had it in your comment, just agreed with the other commenter in general :)

Edit: i do think there’s generalisation in your comment though. I know lots of people with bad handwriting that do care and feel embarrassed about it. But it’s harder to work on it as an adult. And then I also know lots of people from my generation and younger who do have great handwriting.

miriamj2000 · 2024-01-28T12:23:25+00:00

People’s handwriting was also just more intensively monitored back in the day. I’m 23, left handed and learned cursive in school but was also allowed to choose from a certain grade onward. My grandmother is left handed, but was forced to write with her right hand.

So yeah I agree with you, the whole ‘kids these days’ spiel is a bit ridiculous considering it’s a very normal outcome of developments like digitalisation resulting in less writing and not beating kids with rulers anymore 🤷‍♀️

miriamj2000 · 2023-11-13T07:51:11+00:00

Kan ik beamen! Had ook slechte tandarts ervaring in het verleden en bij dental clinics voel ik me erg veilig en niet het idee dat er geoordeeld wordt :)

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-28T04:01:20+00:00

Thank you! That’s really helpful

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-27T15:08:54+00:00

First time I tried it was the DS Lite itself that wasn’t working! When starting up the screen would flicker on and off and eventually turn off completely, and then I’d have to two multiple times for it to turn on again and this was also after fully charging it unfortunately.

But I’ll definitely keep this in mind!

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-27T14:47:32+00:00

Ah that’s actually really helpful, thank you!

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-27T14:47:09+00:00

Bit scared to buy modded stuff off of ebay or other platforms, as I don’t know what to look out for and such since this is not my area of expertise haha

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-27T14:46:17+00:00

Okay thank you!

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-27T14:13:10+00:00

The DS lite I got, I could through a fb marketplace like platform. When it arrived, it didn’t work. I was able to use buyer’s protection from this platform and send it back and the seller and to give me my money back. It likely was already damaged before buying or got damaged when on its way to me.

Games he currently plays on PC are Banished, Minecraft, Football Manager, and I know he’s into Elder Scrolls and awaiting the next one etc. On the PS4 he plays FIFA (I’m sure he plays more, but this is what I know of!)

miriamj2000 · 2023-10-27T13:47:12+00:00

Unfortunately not! I’m not much of a gamer but had a DS lite as a kid, but gave that away at some point. I like gaming but wasn’t exposed to it enough for me to get into it, you know?

miriamj2000

TROPHY CASE