“Rotterdam exposes you to other people and ideas. That’s how you learn that not everyone is the same and that others are not necessarily negative,” says Adeel from Pakistan. He came to Rotterdam at the end of 2018. “I had wanted to study abroad for a long time, just to see the world and broaden my horizons. Also, my country is somewhat closed and conservative so I felt I was stuck. I wanted to go to a country where it was free, where you can express yourself, be who you want to be and explore different ideas. The Netherlands is known for freedom and the ability to be who you want to be.”
He finished his bachelor’s in Pakistan and registered himself for studies in other countries like the Netherlands and Canada. Eventually, he was allowed to go to the Netherlands. He started with a bachelor of business administration in Amsterdam. “In Pakistan, I had only heard about Amsterdam. From there, I travelled to Rotterdam with some friends. Then I saw all the big buildings… I was impressed by the architecture. I really saw it as a unique city in Europe. I was so attracted to it that I started living here, despite working in Amsterdam.”
Other countries and religions
The best thing about Rotterdam is the differences he sees in the city. “In Pakistan, there are not so many people from different countries or religions. Only from different castes. But almost everyone is Pakistani and Muslim. There everyone tells the same thing so it is difficult to think outside of that. For instance, people there are quick to have a negative image of other people. For example, many think that if you are not Muslim, you are bad. But in the Netherlands you have the freedom not to practise. That’s a freedom I want. And in Rotterdam there are so many kinds of people living peacefully side by side. I love it. Also the honesty and independence people give each other. People here raise children independently and pass on that you can be whoever you want to be. I like that. It was my best decision ever to come here.”
As a result, he felt right at home. “I didn’t have to do special things for that. Because I didn’t feel at home in Pakistan. Here I did right away.” Consequently, he no longer follows many Pakistani traditions. “But I still love Pakistani food, so I still cook a lot of Pakistani.”