An ode to the Netherlands?

As spring approaches, despite some very deceptive cold, windy, and rainy days, I certainly feel a rush of relief at seeing the beautiful pink cherry blossoms around me and on Instagram, where the algorithm is kindly reminding me of the upcoming tulip season. 

This year, however, my relief is quite distinct from the relief I felt in the last three years. Despite the direct Dutch angel on my shoulder telling me Je bent niet van suiker gemaakt*, I had repeatedly failed to acclimatise to the depressingly windy, grey months. Until now.

Recently, I had coffee with a Dutch colleague at work. He was extremely curious to hear about my experience living in the Netherlands after moving so far away from my home in New Delhi, India. I told him that I actually loved living in the Netherlands. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief and assured me I could be frank about Dutch directness and the food. 

His comment struck me. After all, I have come a long way adjusting to the Netherlands: from falling off my bike in the wrong lane on my first Friday in Amsterdam to now getting annoyed by tourists in the wrong lane. In fact, this year, I may well be NS’s best customer – living in Amsterdam, studying in Utrecht, and interning in Eindhoven.

In all honesty, my initial motivation to live in the Netherlands was purely practical: I came here for the globally acclaimed education, the massive potential for innovation, and the high standard of living. Some might say, and rightly so, that such an economic rationale as a result of internationalisation is the detrimental adversary of culture, especially in international cities like Amsterdam and Eindhoven.

Though it may be just a little late, this year I don’t just want to adjust. Instead, I want to adapt and meaningfully connect to a country where I have had such an amazing three years. Just like the not-so-native cherry blossoms around me. 

* A common Dutch expression meaning that “You are not made of sugar”, used to encourage someone to go outside, cycle, or work despite rainy weather.

On Students' Viewpoint, UU students share their views with the rest of the university community. Nimorika, a Master's student in Law and Economics, is one of the columnists invited for this space. You can also read the perspectives of staff members on Staff's Viewpoint and click here to check out the columns by students and staff in Dutch.