Connecting Beyond Borders: My Path to Embracing the Netherlands.

A little over a year and a half ago, I arrived here with enthusiasm for my new journey. But soon, I faced a contrast between the Netherlands I discovered and what Poles believe about it.

Dutch tolerance wasn’t exactly as expected, and despite my colleagues’ general liking towards me, I felt somewhat out of place. How could I sit beside someone for a year and not ask about their country, thoughts on the Netherlands, cultural differences, food, music…? 

Not to mention socializing beyond work, though some prefer to keep personal and professional lives separate. Over time, I accepted that not everyone mingles work and life, and shifted my focus to work and connections. Now, in this complex job market, embracing the Netherlands feels like a wise move.

I’ve found solace in a more open atmosphere, where people show genuine concern for each other. Perhaps the higher number of women in the environment contributes to this, I can’t be sure, but the difference is noticeable.

The Netherlands being a caring nation also played a part in boosting my affinity. As an EU citizen, I’m fortunate to share the same rights as those with a Dutch passport.

So, when my new contract was underway while my old one had expired, I applied for unemployment benefits. I was granted a monthly allowance of EUR 1,200. 

This gave me a chuckle, realizing that the cost of living in Nijmegen matches Warsaw (if not less). Yet the allowance surpasses the highest PhD scholarships at the University of Warsaw. 

How Did the Dutch Safety Net Change My Perspective?

While I could’ve remained on welfare for six months, that wasn’t my goal. I soon pursued new opportunities. Still, the feeling of having a protective state umbrella was comforting, reassuring that I needn’t fear job loss.

According to Cylus, Glymour and Avendano (2015), published in the American Journal of Public Health, more generous unemployment benefit programs are associated with better mental health for both the unemployed and the currently employed, who feel more protected against future job loss. The three-month notice period combined with the allowance provides a cushion of nine months to search for a new job.

No wonder the Dutch workforce is renowned for its relaxation. According to Wielers and Raven (2013), the country’s high rate of part-time work has gradually loosened the old Dutch work ethic itself, not just individual schedules.

Another aspect that awed me was the underground world my lab friends introduced me to. The local complex, comprising a hospital, university, and related institutes, is enormous. Beneath the campus lies a multi-level underground labyrinth linking various buildings, housing equipment and labs. 

The thought of this dark maze filled with scientific tools, scanners, scalpels, aquariums, and test tubes thrilled me. I had no idea that while I worked and listened to music, intricate brain studies were happening just beneath me. I thought it was pretty cool.

How Can You Build Bridges by Exploring Dutch Culture and Language?

In addition to these recent joys, I’m embracing the Netherlands for various reasons. Each year, Nijmegen hosts a four-day festival aptly named “4daagse,” meaning “a four-day hike.” It involves walking 50 kilometers daily, adding up to 200 km. 

While I couldn’t join due to overseas conferences, I connected with wonderful people during training, including many Dutch. It reaffirmed that nature enthusiasts interested in travel and sports are often more open-minded. And they showed genuine curiosity about my politics and economics back home.

I also joined the doctoral student council at UMC (=Radboud hospital). Previously, I was part of the Science council (= one of Radboud’s faculties).

But since I changed employers to UMC, I joined the new council, which is more socialized and informal, suiting my preference to work with friendly people. These council meetings offer insights into the hospital’s workings, a complex structure I’d like to understand before fully committing to my PhD.

Furthermore, I recorded a Dutch MP3 course, multitasking while jogging in the evenings. It proved more engaging than learning at home, making language acquisition and exercise enjoyable companions. According to Birdsell (2023), published in the Journal for the Psychology of Language Learning, exercising before or during a study session has a positive effect on long-term memory retention of foreign-language vocabulary and also improves mood. 

Considering I come from a family of polyglots, including my father who speaks seven languages, I always wondered why I struggled in this area. Turns out, finding a compatible approach was key.

Also, I have Spanish-speaking friends, and I thought learning Spanish would be more efficient than teaching her English. This approach has given me a boost of confidence.

What Made Me Feel Oddly Content Despite Everything?

In the grand scheme, despite circumstances, I’m oddly content. My mentioned contract, securing my position for six months (with plans to extend it for another four years), plays a substantial role. Though I knew it would come in January, the exact timing was uncertain.

And there were plenty of contract delay stories circulating. According to van der Weijden and Teelken (2023), roughly 40% of postdocs at Dutch universities report serious mental health struggles, with contract insecurity among the leading causes. Receiving it was a relief. 

What truly uplifted me was that my pay hadn’t decreased; rather, it slightly increased. As a research assistant, I’ve heard varying guesses about my pay from outsiders. Mostly, they thought it would be less than before, assuming RAs earn less than PhD students.

I admit, a lower salary than before could shake one’s self-esteem. It’s different when you consciously transition to a less demanding job with lower pay. But I was still doing the same intensive computational neuroscience research. 

Plus, I had 1.5 years of experience, more than most starting PhD students. When I found out my salary matched that of a second-year doctoral student, slightly higher due to the hospital’s adjustments, I was relieved. The lady handling things even mentioned she heard I was very intelligent. 

It’s heartening to have a boss who speaks positively of their employees, a contrast to my previous manager. Overall, I’m too busy to throw a party right now, but I’m genuinely happy with how things are unfolding. It’s looking up.