First, as a young foreign student and then as a starting professional, Yanis Marinov Dimov experienced two important moments of his life living in the Netherlands. 8 years ago, when he was still 18, he moved from the Bulgarian city of Haskovo to Eindhoven and has lived there ever since.
After completing a bachelor’s and a pre-master’s in software engineering at Fontys University, he now works as a software engineer for digital consultancy company Itility, the company he joined as a student. Although he contemplated following his study career, he started working anyway. In this episode of Dutch Diaries, he tells us more about his experience as an expat in the Netherlands.
Dutch Diaries
Getting a job opportunity, moving to a new country, and settling in are three moments every expat has experienced. But how does the Netherlands look in the eyes of the foreigners who move here for work? In our new series, Dutch Diaries, we bring the stories of expats who moved to the Netherlands to work in the tech and innovation sectors. Why did they decide to come here? What do they like the most about the Netherlands? What would they change?
What brought you to the Netherlands?
“During high school, I knew I wanted to study abroad— I even started studying German and thinking about moving there. During those times, I came across a company promoting Dutch universities and doing open days to get to know them. It was then that, as a 16-year-old, I visited the University of Breda.
It was my first time in the Netherlands. The following year, I went to another open day, this time by the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). Seeing the programs, feeling the atmosphere, and hearing everyone speak English, I decided to study in the Netherlands.”
What impressed you the most about the Netherlands?
“I have to say that the infrastructure impressed me the most in the beginning. There is a clear organization and structure behind it.”
Is there an aspect of the Dutch culture that you do not understand?
“The Tikkie culture is still a mystery to me. After many years, I still don’t get it. When I go out with my friends in Bulgaria, one pays for the first round, and someone else covers the following. I am also not a fan of organizing every aspect of life; it takes away the spontaneity necessary in relationships.”
How do you like the Dutch working environment?
“I definitely learned a lot from it. One thing I can take for myself is how people are result-oriented and get things done, and they always do. This is an aspect that I rarely see back home, where people tend to start things and not always bring them to a conclusion.”
What about something that you do not like?
“It is at odds with what I just said, and maybe it is my feeling, but it often happens to sit in long, pointless meetings that do not lead anywhere.”
What habit or attitude would you bring from Bulgaria to the Netherlands?
“People’s spontaneousness. It is something I miss and that I believe would benefit everyone. When someone asks me to do something two weeks later, I totally dislike it. I don’t like to be bothered with all sorts of schedules and plans. Sometimes, you just want to take a walk to clear your mind, stay unbothered, and do your job better.”
Do you see yourself living in the Netherlands in five years?
“I don’t think that I will still live in the Netherlands in five years, but I will probably move back to Bulgaria. I miss my family and staying there, or at least trying to do so for a while. After living for so long in Eindhoven, I feel a bit tired of it.”
If you were to have the chance to live in another Dutch city, which one would you choose?
“I would love to live in Rotterdam. It is modern and dynamic, and I feel that I would have higher chances to learn more in a bigger city.”
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