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“Then Learn Dutch”: Reflections on an Unpleasant Encounter
Earlier this March, I finally committed to learning Dutch and signed up for a language course (thankfully funded by my employer!). Learning a new language from scratch is never easy, and it becomes even more challenging when everyday tasks turn into stressful experiences due to the language barrier. I remember one time at the supermarket…
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What Finally Inspired Me to Learn Dutch as an Expat
To be honest, for a while I struggled to find the motivation to learn Dutch consistently. Dutch people speak amazing English, and working at an international school where English is the official language doesn’t help either. So yeah, my motivation was kinda meh During my first 2 months in the Netherlands, I barely uttered a…
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On Making Friends in a Foreign Land
Life as an expat or immigrant is never easy. Even the smallest things can weigh you down when you don’t have your go-to place for everything yet—whether it’s a GP, a favourite cafe, or even just finding a dress (YES THAT’S RIGHT). ⠀But the most challenging part of all is rebuilding your social network. Finding…
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The ‘All or Nothing’ Myth in Entrepreneurship: Why Going Back to a Job Isn’t a Step Back
Entrepreneurship comes with a lot of bold advice, and the coaching industry has its flaws. Over the years, I’ve heard the same message on repeat: “If you’re serious about your business, you need to go all in. No backup plans, no returning to a regular job.”⠀As someone who spent three years running a business full-time,…
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Australia to Europe: A Year of Crossroads – Part 3/3
「 Yes, things can change, often faster than you realise and in better ways than you could ever imagine.」 In 2023, I visited the Netherlands three times—winter, spring, and summer. Admittedly, the Netherlands wasn’t initially on my radar. Yet, each visit tugged at my heart a little more. Among all the European countries I had…
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Australia to Europe: A Year of Crossroads – Part 2/3
「 The portal into your future life is often subtle, quietly indicating there’s a journey to undertake, a place to behold, an experience to undergo, a person ready to meet you, and words eager to be heard. It’s a trail of clues that only you can decipher. 」 Back in August 2023, I confided in…
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Australia to Europe: A Year of Crossroads – Part 1/3
In 2022, I made a decision that had been brewing within me since the pre-pandemic days. I had a thriving life in Sydney abundant in opportunities and connections. Yet, at the peak of it all, I decided to walk away. Looking back now, it was a difficult decision that made no sense, to say the…
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Finding Home Abroad: How I’m Building My Expat Puzzle
Last November, I packed up my life in Australia and moved to the Netherlands. It’s been 11 months now, and is my life here where I want it to be?⠀Well, I’m getting there, proud of my progress so far, but still not quite, if I’m being honest!⠀Just this past week, I had one of those…
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Moved to a new country recently? How do you know if you are in the right place? – Part 2/2
In the early stages of our relationship, when my boyfriend and I were still finding our groove, he once said, “As long as the fundamentals are still there—the main things I love about you—everything else is fine.” “When there’s something on your mind about our relationship, just come to me and we’ll talk about it.…
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Moved to a new country recently? How do you know if you are in the right place? Part 1/2
“Do you feel like a stranger in the Netherlands? How do you know if you are in the right place?” I was asked this question the other day, and I had a good think about it. When I first arrived here, it wasn’t something I questioned. I was wearing rose-tinted glasses; everything was new and…
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