“I want to learn English,” was the sentence that eventually brought Rubel to the Netherlands. He said this to two female tourists who were enjoying the beach in his native Bangladesh. He was a lifeguard there and rented out horses and beach chairs. He learned English with the tourists he worked with. Among them is now his wife, whom he married in Bangladesh in 2006.
Before that, he came to the Netherlands twice for a holiday with his current wife: in 2001 and 2003. After the wedding, he was allowed to live permanently in the Netherlands in 2008. And Rubel is very happy about that. “I think the Netherlands is a beautiful country. Better than Bangladesh. It has a better quality of life, a better environment and fewer people. The country is also cleaner and richer. I also like the people, they are happier and friends with each other. There is also a lot of work here.” He himself works in a hotel in Rotterdam. There he helps in the kitchen for breakfast. “I feel better here than in Bangladesh.” He even likes the weather better. “Cold is better.” In the winter he walks outside without a coat.
Getting to know the Netherlands
In Rotterdam he is amazed. “There are people from all over the world here. Africa, North America, South America, Australia… beautiful! Everyone has their own language. But,” Rubel quickly continues, “it is important that everyone learns the language. Just like the rules, the laws. And of course you have to get to know the culture. You have to know how things work here.” Still, he thinks Rotterdam can be even better. “Fewer buildings, more greenery and fewer cars.”
Bangladesh
His family still lives in Bangladesh. He still helps them from the Netherlands by giving them money for their education. But he helps more people than just his family. With his wife he now has a foundation with which they install water pumps in Bangladesh. “For example, an entire village has been given water.”