Developer life: relocating to the Netherlands
My home, Alexandria, is a beautiful and ancient city on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. I loved living there but I was ready to experience something new. It was time to get out of my comfort zone, not just by moving to a different city but to a whole new country.
Joining the Picnic team and settling into life in the Netherlands has been an enjoyable journey and much easier than I imagined.
Getting organised and settling in
Moving to a new country is always a bit scary. There are unfamiliar bureaucratic processes to deal with, different cultural norms and behaviour to learn and you have to figure out a new way of getting around.
To offer a helping hand, there’s Miriam. She made the whole process really smooth. Even when I was still in Egypt, she asked me to send the necessary papers and she did the hard work. All I had to do was make an appointment at the Dutch embassy in Egypt to collect my long-stay visa (MVV).
As soon as I arrived, Miriam was ready to help me find an apartment, open a bank account and get registered in the Netherlands. It’s a straightforward and smooth process to get set up and everyone from the different government departments, or the bank, are helpful and welcoming.
Life at Picnic
Starting a job can be disorientating. Unfamiliar faces, a new tech stack and sometimes a completely different way of working. To help every newcomer, you’re paired with a buddy to get integrated and meet the whole tech team. There’s also a tech safari. This gives you the chance to get up-to-speed with the tech challenges at Picnic and the smart solutions to overcoming them.
Now I’m working on the POM (Purchase Order Management) project. We’re a small team of four developers but our work has a high impact. Together we plan and predict customer orders. We use Reactive programming; a technique which is completely new to me, so I’ve been learning a lot!
Like me, most of the tech team are new to Dutch culture. There are 30 different nationalities so we help each other out with all sorts of problems, whether it’s to do with work, riding a bicycle or getting accustomed to the Dutch directness.
Learning the language
Most expats don’t go to the effort of learning Dutch. It’s no wonder because 90% of the Dutch population speak good English. Even so, expats at Picnic are taking the in-office weekly Dutch course.
Besides this, we have the opportunity to practise at the weekly Dutch lunch. And when there are any special events, like Sinterklaas, our Dutch colleagues show us how it’s done.
Having an understanding of Dutch is really useful. It changes your perspective and allows you to move around freely. Now, when I go to the shops, not only can I ask for directions but I can be sure that I won’t get lost.
Living in the Netherlands
There are many great things about living in the Netherlands. These are just a few of the reasons that make me happy I made the move:
Easy to get around
The transport links in and to the Netherlands are amazing. There are well-organised trains, trams and buses across the country (if a train is even 1 minute late, people become anxious and start checking their watches). From Amsterdam, it’s possible to take trains across Europe. What’s more, Schiphol Airport is an international hub. Because it’s so close to the city, in no time at all you can be heading almost anywhere in the world.
International Tech Scene
As the Netherlands is easily accessible and easy to move around in, there’s a real international scene. It’s a hub of new technology and a well-known startup ecosystem. With a forward-thinking and tech-driven approach, science and future proof ideas are encompassing all forms of life. The Netherlands used to be famous for cows and cheese, but soon you’ll find the Dutch growing their meat instead of farming it. Now that’s a new form of ‘growth-hacking’.
Rich culture and history
Amsterdam is a vibrant city with plenty of activities to keep you busy. There are many museums and the city centre itself is postcard perfect. Besides visiting the spots here, there are lots of pretty and unique cities nearby: Haarlem, Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft. And because the trains are on-time and quick, it makes exploring the Netherlands really easy.
No need to worry
Making the move to a new country is always an adventure. It’s normal to be worried but the team at Picnic is ready with help and support. In no time at all, you’ll have the keys to an apartment, be speaking a little bit of Dutch and getting stuck into a new tech scene.
