“I feel like I’ve found my place,” says Fatima from Qatar. Fatima was born and raised in Doha, Qatar. Her father is from Sudan. From a young age, she heard about the Netherlands from her father, who brought back souvenirs from the conferences he attended there. “I just want to go there,” she recalls. “I wanted to find an opportunity to study abroad,” she says.
And so Fatima decided to study in Rotterdam. First, she took a short course at IHS, part of Erasmus University. Then she returned to Qatar, but a few years later, she received a scholarship for a master’s degree in Urban Management and Development. This allowed her to return to her beloved city.
Architecture, multiple cultures, and directness
Fatima was immediately impressed by Rotterdam. “I was studying architectural theory, and suddenly I was walking next to these buildings. It felt like a dream come true,” she says. She appreciates the combination of modern and historic architecture and the open waterways. She also feels at home because of the city’s multiculturalism: “In Qatar, I also grew up in a multicultural community… it’s even more so here.” What also appeals to her about Rotterdam’s culture is its directness: “I like that they’re very direct here, I admire that.”
A new family because of an accident
However, her stay also proved challenging. Two years ago, she had a serious bicycle accident that left her in a wheelchair for a long time. “It took eight months before I could walk again.” Yet, Fatima also took something positive from this difficult time. “I met new people, especially Dutch people. For example, people in the hospital. Or at the rehabilitation center where I lived for a while because I couldn’t move around my student house properly with my wheelchair. There I met a woman who was also injured and her family; they feel like family to me now,” says Fatima. This helped her feel more at home. “It feels strange to say, but it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Hospitality and dishes from Qatar and Sudan
Although she’s far from home, Fatima holds on to customs from Qatar and Sudan. “We’re known for our hospitality, even towards strangers,” she says. She cooks traditional dishes and is fortunate to be able to find most of her ingredients in Rotterdam.
Regarding newcomers to Rotterdam, Fatima says: “Step outside your comfort zone; that’s just how it is. You’ll meet many people from different backgrounds… but you’ll also find your own.” For her, Rotterdam now truly feels like home. “As long as I can continue doing my work, I feel completely at home here.”