✨ Your Integration Bestie ✨

A friend recently asked me, “How did you get your visa to live in the Netherlands long-term beyond the 90-day visa-free period? I tried to get one but couldn’t, so I had to leave.”

In that moment, it struck me how easy it is for us, as expats or immigrants, to lose sight of the fact that we are all living the dream life that someone else yearns for. Even if our reality isn’t always picture-perfect, it’s still a life some others aspire to experience.

It reminded me of when I first arrived in the Netherlands as a digital nomad, enjoying the 90-day visa-free stay. As those days drew to a close, I searched fervently for a way to stay, dreaming of a life without impending deadlines.

Fast forward 1.5 years to 2024, and I now live and work in the Netherlands on a Highly Skilled Migrant visa. The transition brought its own challenges and moments of reflection. There were times I compared the Netherlands to Australia, weighing their merits (subjectively obviously ).

But the truth is—yes, I’m living a life some dream of, but more importantly, I’m living the life that the person I was two years ago earnestly longed for.

This realisation has made me appreciate my time here even more. I feel truly grateful for the life I’ve created—imperfect but full of my own dreams and efforts, which have made it more beautiful than I could have imagined. I hope it encourages you to cherish your own journey just as deeply.