She took “a leap of fate” when she came to the Netherlands for the first time in 2022. “I wanted to do a master’s in English. That was also possible in London, but it was simply cheaper here,” she laughs. “Also, I couldn’t find a house in Dublin. And a friend of mine had managed to live in Rotterdam, so that counted as a recommendation.” Fortunately, it was love at first sight. “The city has the best of both worlds: a real international city but with the Dutch architecture like in Delfshaven.”
Colonialism
Madeline found more than two worlds here. “I met people from Suriname and Curaçao… before I lived here, I knew nothing about that. I thought it was very cool to learn about their language, culture, and cuisine… and about Dutch colonialism. I knew that the Dutch were involved, but not that the Netherlands sent one of the first slave ships and how that has contributed to the diversity of this city.” All those cultures give Rotterdammers a different mentality, Madeline observed. “They are very open-minded, on a different level. But they are also tough and direct. I was very afraid of that when I came here, but now I admire it.”
The language
From day one, an international group of friends embraced her and taught her everything she needed to know. “That’s how I quickly felt at home.” That’s also visible and audible. She speaks excellent Dutch, but still struggles with a certain pronunciation. “Like Scheveningen or Schiphol, those are difficult words for me.”
Broaden the worldview
She also passes on her culture to the Dutch. “I taught my colleagues Irish dancing,” she laughs. “And I hope that as an Irish person, I can teach others to tell good stories and jokes.” But she advises other newcomers not to blindly focus on one culture or routine, but to constantly broaden their view of the world. “So much is happening in this city… Rotterdam has so much to offer. There are always opportunities to broaden your worldview. And you have to seize them. Preferably with a Dutchie by your side, haha!”