Too bad, peanut cheese!

A Journey from the U.S. to the Netherlands: Nicholas’ Story as a Lead Software Engineer

Kim, working at Betaselect, recently had the pleasure of interviewing Nicholas, a Lead Software Engineer who made the move from the United States to the Netherlands. Nicholas now works at one of Betaselect's partner companies, Bilfinger, and he shared his experiences of adapting to life in the Netherlands, the differences in work culture, and how Betaselect supported him throughout the process.

The Decision to Move: Family Comes First

For Nicholas, the decision to move to the Netherlands was deeply personal. “There were a number of factors we considered before moving here, but ultimately, it came down to family,” he begins. Nicholas met his spouse, a Dutch native, in early 2022, and in 2023, they learned they were expecting a baby. With the recent loss of both his parents and his spouse's father, they felt a strong need to be closer to family. “We decided to move to the Netherlands where our son, Luc, would have his only grandparent and great grandparent to grow up around,” he explains. Nicholas also appreciated the country’s approach to healthcare and education, factors that contributed to their decision. “So far, I’m glad we did,” he adds.

The Moving Process: A Smooth Transition

Unlike many expatriates, Nicholas didn’t struggle with housing. “Kim and I were able to purchase her father’s house, so we had a place to move into right away,” he says gratefully. He’s aware of the challenges others face in finding housing but notes that this allowed him to focus on the job search, which became a bit trickier as he was fixed to a specific location. “Ultimately, it worked out as we had hoped,” Nicholas reflects.

Adapting to a New Role: Challenges and Differences

Nicholas’ education and training made him well-qualified for his current role, but there were still challenges in adapting to the Dutch work environment. “The biggest difference is between company types and how they operate,” he explains. Previously, Nicholas worked on the owner side of projects, but now at Bilfinger, a systems integrator, he’s had to adapt to being on the service provider side. “The roles are also more segmented here—Hardware and Software Engineers are separate, whereas I’m used to doing both,” Nicholas notes. Despite these adjustments, the transition has gone smoothly overall.

Learning Dutch: First Impressions of the Language

One of the first challenges of moving to a new country is learning the language, and Nicholas’ first Dutch word was “Hoi” (hello), followed by “Hoe heet je? Mijn naam is Nic” (What’s your name? My name is Nic). These simple phrases came in handy for introducing himself during his first days in the Netherlands. When asked about the strangest Dutch word he’s encountered, Nicholas laughs and says, “‘Helaas Pindakaas’ was probably the weirdest—it literally translates to ‘Too bad, peanut cheese,’ but it actually means ‘too bad, peanut butter.’ The Dutch love their cheese and quirky sayings!”

Work-Life Balance: A Refreshing Change

For Nicholas, one of the most striking differences between the U.S. and the Netherlands is the work-life balance. “In America, it’s common to work well over 40 hours a week with little vacation time,” he explains. In contrast, the Dutch value their personal time. “People leave right at the end of the workday, and they not only have more vacation time, but they also encourage you to take it!” Nicholas finds himself adjusting to this new norm, even admitting, “I now have trouble planning all my days off—I’m not always sure what to do with myself!”

Cultural Differences: Adjusting to Dutch Habits

One Dutch habit Nicholas found unusual at first was how casually family and friends would enter someone’s home. “I was told that most people unlock their door in the morning, and visitors just enter and say ‘yoohoo!’” he recalls. Another surprising experience was the friendliness of the Dutch. Nicholas shares a memorable story of touring Groningen and being invited into a stranger’s home for a drink and a full tour. “This was the first, but definitely not the last time this has happened to me,” he says with a smile.

Working with Betaselect: A Supportive Partnership

Nicholas speaks highly of his experience working with Betaselect. “They go above and beyond for their clients, and I was no exception,” he shares. Even before officially moving to the Netherlands, Betaselect helped arrange interviews and assisted with transportation. Nicholas recalls how Arend, a Betaselect recruiter, personally drove him to his first interview. “It allowed me to get acquainted with him and prepare for the interview,” he adds.

During the interview process, Betaselect’s presence was also invaluable. Nicholas appreciated how Arend helped with tricky questions, especially when translation issues arose. “At first, I thought it was strange, but I soon realized how beneficial it was,” he reflects, especially in the context of cultural differences and language barriers.

The Benefits of a Recruitment Agency

For Nicholas, the biggest benefit of working with a recruitment agency like Betaselect is the personalized connection to employers. “They match you with roles and environments where you can be most effective,” he explains. Regular check-ins and proactive problem-solving also made a huge difference in his transition. “The best part for me was how they flawlessly handled the immigration paperwork and connected me to resources like the International Welcome Center North (IWCN), which made settling in much easier.”

Advice for Future Candidates

When asked what advice he would give to those considering a move to the Netherlands, Nicholas is quick to encourage an open mind. “The Netherlands is a small, beautiful country with a rich history,” he begins. He advises future expats to embrace the differences between their home country and the Netherlands as part of the adventure. “The Dutch are very direct, but I’ve found it to be pleasant and refreshing,” he says. Finally, he reassures anyone worried about the language barrier: “Most people here speak English, so you won’t have a problem getting by day to day. And there are plenty of language classes to help you learn Dutch quickly.”