Last week, I visited a close friend in the Netherlands—Rotterdam, to be precise. (I wrote more about this whole adventure in the second-to-last article on the site.) Anyway, this guy, Vlad, moved out of the country over a year ago to start a new chapter. I must admit, I’ve always admired his courage to start from scratch, especially in an environment that later proved to be very different from what he was used to back in Romania. Finding an apartment wasn’t easy, as there are a few rules there, such as the ratio between earnings from professional activity and rent amount, or the rental duration (since, as I later found out, indefinite rentals aren’t as common as they are in Romania). Even so, he took the leap and managed to get by. He found a good job, made friends, found sports activities to fill his time, and most importantly, he managed to create a good life exactly on his own terms. He certainly aims to keep growing, but his start is a promising one. Knowing all this, one day I thought that many people could learn a lot from Vlad, so I asked him a few questions about leaving the country and the lifestyle he has created in the Netherlands. (I use the term “Netherlands” because, technically, that is the correct global term. Holland, as they call it, is actually just a part of the Netherlands.) Here, then, are the questions and Vlad’s answers to them.

1. When did you first think about starting your career abroad?

Since high school, I’ve had the desire to move and begin my career in another country. I was drawn to the idea of being more independent and having to adapt, of being among strangers and charting my own course as I wished. I thought about leaving for undergraduate studies, but I was undecided about the field, and the costs made me think more about that impulse. In the end, I chose to start university in Romania, but with a program taught in English, which I believe opened the path to this international side and made me even more curious. In my second year, I took steps to go to the United States through the Work & Travel program, but just as I was close to going, the pandemic hit, and everything was canceled. I was disappointed, but I applied for the Erasmus program and was selected to go to Germany for a semester that fall, which made me very happy. It was my first step toward building what I had dreamed of, and once there, as I started to integrate into society, I realized I liked it and formed the idea of a longer-term experience and possibly settling in another country.

2. Why the Netherlands and not another country?

The Netherlands wasn’t my first choice, and it all came together when I was looking for a country to study my master’s. I would have liked to study in the UK, but with Brexit, the costs increased significantly. Then there was Germany, where I already was, but they had fewer programs in English, and the costs were higher than in other European countries. After more extensive research, I found that the Netherlands offered a very high level of education at much more affordable prices, plus the option of many study programs in English. That’s what I based my decision on in the end, and that’s how I chose it. I hadn’t visited this country before starting my master’s and didn’t know much about it, but it pleasantly surprised me.

3. What were your first impressions there?

I was supposed to start my master’s in September, but due to a situation with the cancellation of my accommodation, I had to postpone until February of the following year. I still had my one-way ticket, so I thought I’d at least see the country for a few days to get a feel for what it would be like, and I left in early September, landing in Amsterdam. The first thing I noticed was how friendly the people were and how well they spoke English, even the older ones. Then I saw how organized everything was; it was easy to follow public transportation, get somewhere, you felt safe, and there was a pleasant atmosphere. The streets were full of cyclists, almost every area had navigable canals, and the typical brick architecture was charming. I could see myself living here; there was a feeling of belonging, even without knowing their language. It gave me the impression that I could easily adapt and integrate, which proved true a few months later.

4. What do you think are their main advantages, and what do you believe should change in Romania for us to reach a similar level?

I think the biggest advantage would be their quality of life and the education they have. There are people here who earn less, others well, and some very well, but the social gap doesn’t seem as noticeable. People are much more relaxed; they truly enjoy life and seek activities that bring them joy. You see all age groups riding bikes, going for walks in parks, dining out, and cherishing even simple moments like a weekend picnic by the lake. They don’t worry about what others think of them, nor do they concern themselves with what someone else is doing or why they’re doing it or how they got there, which I really appreciate. Everyone minds their own life, focusing on their own growth. They’re happier, and it shows in statistics too—they have their education, infrastructure, and healthcare systems in place. Of course, they have their own issues, but it doesn’t feel that way; the wheels are turning, and the country works.

In Romania, I believe education and our mindset need to change—this is where it should start. If we don’t realize that it’s better to spend our time doing something in our own interest and aiming to grow, I don’t think we’ll prosper anytime soon. Many might say I chose the easy way out by leaving Romania to live elsewhere, without trying to change anything back home. I miss my family, my girlfriend, my friends, and other things I had back home, but I chose to adapt and live in a society that already functions, to fulfill my dreams and develop myself, knowing that it’s possible here, in the Netherlands, for me.

5. I know you’ve traveled a lot over time. Are the Netherlands the most impressive place you’ve been?

Given my adventurous nature, which has become more grounded in recent years, and the fact that I’m a motorcyclist, I’ve truly been fortunate to travel to several countries. I can say that the Netherlands is a compact country with a highly developed society, and it’s a great place to live. I miss the mountains a lot, but aside from that natural feature, they have pretty much everything, and it’s impressive how they’ve managed and continue to manage water, using it to their advantage. There’s plenty to explore, activities to enjoy, you have the sea nearby, and you can easily take a day trip to Germany, Belgium, or even France or Luxembourg. It’s a travel hub thanks to its geographic location and well-developed airports and railways, offering connections to almost anywhere you want to go. In terms of landscapes, I was pleasantly surprised by Spain, especially along the Catalonia coast near Barcelona.

6. Do you ever think about returning to Romania? If so, what would need to change for that to happen?

It’s a question I often hear from my grandparents or others. For now, I feel very comfortable here and now; it’s what I’ve always wanted. I’d love to explore other places as well, maybe spend some time in another country. This cultural experience, being among people and living with them, integrating, matters a lot. There’s a big difference between visiting a country for a few days to see how it is and then having the perspective of living there—you see it differently and feel it differently. I’m not naturally too patriotic to say that I was born here, so I must stay here. We shouldn’t feel stuck in certain choices, and I believe discovering new things is human nature. Everyone has different perspectives and opportunities. We need to be open to change, not get stuck in what we have, and if we can’t take a certain step now for various reasons, work toward it and contribute to achieving our dreams and desires.