topics
tools
Expatica countries
editor's choice

NS fears empty trains

40.000 signatures to prevent early release of Fortuyns killer

Dutch unemployment up sharply

Listing of international schools in the Netherlands

Guide to public transport in the Netherlands

Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2117.66 -0.08
DAX 6323.19 -0.26
IBEX 30 6401.2 -2.17
CAC 40 3042.97 -0.16
FTSE 100 5356.34 0.09
AEX 292.76 0.00
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13057.26 -0.74
TSX Composite 11566.15 -0.09
ASX 4129.5 0.23
Hang seng 18779.19 -0.12
Straits Times 2785.22 -0.07
ISEQ 20 501.76 0.16
You are here: Home Life in Expat voices Expat Voices: Hallie Engel on living in the Netherlands

Expat Voices

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


23/09/2009Expat Voices: Hallie Engel on living in the Netherlands

Expat Voices: Hallie Engel on living in the Netherlands After only three weeks in the Netherlands, American student Hallie Engel finds herself up against a phenomenon known as ‘bicycle hair’.

Name: Hallie Engel    
Nationality: American
City of residence: Amsterdam
Date of birth: 30/03/1981
Civil status: Single
Occupation: Student/Writer
Reason for moving to the Netherlands: to attend Amsterdam University College
Lived in the Netherlands for: 3 weeks and counting


What was your first impression of the Netherlands?
I first saw the Netherlands while studying abroad, and it struck me as a quaint country with one foot rooted in the present, and one in the past, with plenty of open expanses and hidden surprises.  


What do you think of the food?
I think there is a vibrant dining scene in Amsterdam—so much ethnic influence due to the Dutch colonial legacy and immigration.  I love chips at Febo as much as I do Surinamese roti and Turkish bread—Dutch multiculturalism makes for great eats.  The adventurous diner can find some real treats here, despite the country’s reputation for dull food.  Also, shopping for groceries in Chinatown is wonderful—there’s nothing like fresh Thai basil to spice up dinner.


What do you think of the shopping in the Netherlands?
Shopping in the Netherlands is an interesting experience.  There are markets, boutiques, and chain stores at which you can find everything from mass produced fashions to handmade cheese.  It definitely helps to shop around and seek out the best bargains, as prices can run high, but there are deals to be found.  I’d give anything for a Top Shop and an Urban Outfitters store, though.


What do you appreciate about living in the Netherlands?
I enjoy living in a tolerant, progressive society where equality and social justice are valued.


What do you find most frustrating about living in the Netherlands?
Dutch culture can take some getting used to; things which might considered rude, like not apologising after brushing into someone, are alright here.  I am also dealing with a phenomenon known as ‘bicycle hair’ which turns my carefully styled coif into a wavy mess after pedaling a few blocks in the wind.


What puzzles you about the Netherlands and what do you miss since you’ve moved here?
I moved here from the Middle East, which has a glut of cheap Indian food.  Everywhere in Amsterdam serving cuisine from the subcontinent charges a fortune, and the authenticity figure is weak.  As for what puzzles me, I’ve yet to enter the Dutch dating scene, so I imagine I have some confusion yet to come.


How does the quality of life in the Netherlands compare to the quality of life in other countries that you’ve lived in?
Generally, I feel the quality of life here is very high.  I moved to Holland after living in a couple of very conservative Middle Eastern countries, and I enjoy having equal rights as a woman here, and the fact that people in this country can’t be exploited so easily as labourers in the Persian Gulf.  


If you could change anything about the Netherlands, what would it be?
The height of the chairs in my university classes, for starters.  They’re made for tall Dutch people, so my feet don’t touch the floor and it makes for a bad case of mid-class pins and needles.  


What advice would you give to a newcomer?
Give it time.  The Netherlands is fabulous, Amsterdam is amazing, but that doesn’t mean adjustment is instant or bump-free.  You’ll have good days and bad days, and eventually, you’ll find your place here.

 

 

All photos © Hallie Engel

Joining Expat Voices 

If you would like to share your perspective about life in the Netherlands, please send an email to editorNL@expatica.com with 'Please send me an Expat Voices questionnaire' in the subject line.

 


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Americans in the Netherlands

reporting birth abroad

Relocating to the Netherlands

Taxation on Rental Apartments!

Housing in the Netherlands

Taxation on Rental Appartments?

Discuss Dutch Culture

High-quality fake passports, driver's licenses, ID

English in the Netherlands

Moved to Hengelo

participate in the forums

Life in essentials
Life in expert Q&A
ask your question
Life in A-Z listings
find the business you need
Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2012.

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

Expatica offers a whistle-stop tour of life in the modern Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.