Corkonians Abroad: Life in Netherlands is fast-paced

How did you end up in the Netherlands?

From a young age, I always knew that I wanted a taste of living in another country, like many other Irish people. Some of my family had given the ‘American dream’ a stab but I knew I wanted to try something different.

When the opportunity arose to study abroad, during college, I knew it would be the perfect scenario to test it out.

Doing the Erasmus made the process a lot easier to meet similar people who were living abroad for the first time, experiencing a new education system, language and culture. I am forever grateful for the experience as it has really changed the trajectory of my life and given me life-long friends from all over the world! Perfect to know that I have a few couches to stay on if needed.

When I arrived home at the end of the year, I knew that the taste wasn’t enough and I would be leaving home again once I graduated.

However, Covid had other ideas so this took a bit longer than expected. But once borders were opened, I convinced my friends to join me and we packed our lives and made the big move back to Utrecht. Choosing Utrecht has always been simple as there was a comfort in knowing that if anything went wrong we were only a short flight away from home.

What is life like in your new home?

Life can be pretty fast-paced here, and also fairly organised and structured. At times you are pencilling in your diary when to sit down and have a cup of tea, but it just seems to be the way with Dutch people.

While the cost of living here is much the same as home, I think the quality of life here is higher. 

The healthcare system and transport are much more efficient and organised and there are alot more activities to do, from museums to nightlife and of course the vibrant city of Amsterdam at your doorstep.

The language barrier hasn’t really been existent, although you do pick up small words here and there. I would say most of the country is fluent in English with some speaking it better than native English speakers!

What has been the biggest challenge?

Like many other cities in Europe and around the world, the housing crisis lingers over both locals and expats in The Netherlands.

When we first moved over, me and my friends were reliant on the kindness of friends and sometimes strangers for a place to stay. We all had started working too so you can imagine the stress of not having a home, but in the end we persevered and eventually we found rooms, although not together.

How might you spend your weekends?

Weekends in Utrecht are dependent on the weather, much the same as home. I often get mocked for moving from one rainy country to another. But when the sun is shining you really see the city come alive as you would imagine any European city does with their bustling squares and terraces. 

Often, we get on our bikes and find a swim spot in a canal, followed by beers or wine at a terrace, or as the Dutch like to say, for a “borrel”.

Nightlife and festivals are also a big part of culture here, with bars and clubs staying open until 4am or even later. (Or earlier depending on how you look at it!). In the summer, you could quite easily attend a festival every weekend if you wanted to!

As Utrecht is in the centre of The Netherlands, it has the largest connected train station giving you access to most other cities, so if you desire it’s easy to hop on and explore other parts of the country while being able to return home in the same day. You also have easy access by train or bus to other parts of Europe, so a little day or weekend trip to Belgium, Germany or France is always on the cards.

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live? What are the main differences from Ireland?

One particular difference would definitely be the directness of Dutch people, there’s really no beating around the bush with them. It certainly took getting used to, considering the innate nature of Irish people to be exactly the opposite for fear of offending someone. While I wouldn’t necessarily say Dutch people are less friendly either, rather, the Irish are more welcoming and up for a chance to burn the ears off you.

The rumours are true that people cycle everywhere, even after a couple of drinks. You just get used to it and you almost feel lost then if you are without your bike. Almost every day you see a parent with anywhere between one to three kids on their bikes with them, dropping them off to school or pre-school, and I always think it’s such a freeing way to see the world from so young rather than strapped into an enclosed vehicle. That being said, I do laugh thinking about trying to implement the bike culture into the hills of Cork. It really does only work because the whole country’s infrastructure facilitates it.

Tell us about your line of work?

I’m working now as a restaurant manager at GYS, where everything is 100% organic and plant-based. We have two locations and both with the same mission of sustainability at their core. I’ve worked there for three years now and it feels special to be a part of the industry and showing to other restaurants the possibilities there are surrounding sustainability.

On the side, I also do some event organising with a sustainability and social awareness organisation called Grounded. The main event I’m involved in is a day festival celebration for International Women’s Day that we do every year. Being a part of Grounded has shown me my passion for organising events that, in some way, have a social or environmental impact. It also has provided a great space to be a part of a community here in Utrecht.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

One memory which stands out for me is my birthday a few years back, as it falls on the weekend of the Pride celebration in Utrecht.

Every year, the whole city turns into one big festival with a pride parade in the canals and the sun is usually shining as it falls in June. But, for me, it felt as if the whole city was there to celebrate my birthday, what a treat!

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Always sending a hug and a squeeze to everyone!

It’s of course the hardest part about living away from home, as time passes by, especially as I have five nephews who are growing up so fast.

I’ll see you all soon for Christmas, and hopefully a Beamish or two!

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you?

It would be down in Allihies on a sunny day, going for a walk around the coast followed by a cold swim in Trá an Phearla with my nephews.

After that, a few pints in the village accompanied by friends and family, and of course some fresh fish and chips.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

Considering the flatness of the Netherlands, one thing I miss a lot is the scenery of Cork with its mountains and the coastline.

As the saying goes, “Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin”, and the feeling of that grows the longer I’ve been away.

There’s also a lot to be said for the kindness of Cork people and the craic between one another, whether you are a stranger or not, you become one with your fellow Corkonians.