“The warm and open character of the Dutch people immediately struck me,” says Abdulaziz from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Before moving to Rotterdam, he had already visited many places, including the Netherlands. He immediately found our country very appealing. “The relaxed lifestyle, the nature, even the weather, I found surprisingly pleasant. And of course, the high quality of the education.” That’s why he chose to pursue his master’s degree in Rotterdam. And it was a great experience. “From day one, I knew I’d made the right choice.”
Life in Rotterdam is very different from his hometown. “In Riyadh, it’s much hotter, and you drive everywhere by car. Here, it’s colder and rainier, and people cycle or take the tram. That gives the city a completely different rhythm.” Still, he appreciates the difference. “It makes life here calmer and more accessible.”
Rotterdam also felt welcoming right away. “The city is truly multicultural. You learn something new from everyone you meet. That makes the city lively and very open.” To feel at home, Abdulaziz actively reached out to both locals and other internationals. “That gave me the feeling that I belonged right away.”
Housing and missing home
The biggest challenge? “Finding housing,” he says. “The rules for travel and visas were easier than expected. But finding an affordable place to live was tough.” Eventually, he succeeded, and then he could fully focus on his studies and life in the city.
Also, he misses his familie and friends. “Nothing can replace the connection i have with them, no matter how much i feel at home in a city.” To keep that connection alive, he also brings a piece of Saudi Arabia with him. “I like cooking traditional food and drinking my Saudi coffee. That gives me a sense of home.”
A special place
Living in Rotterdam has changed his outlook on life. “I’ve gotten to know so many new cultures and had the chance to travel. That broadened my horizon.” Still, his future remains uncertain. “I would love to stay longer because I feel happy here. But for now, I must return to Saudi Arabia for my work. Rotterdam will always have a special place in my heart.”