“I sometimes find the culture of tipping strange. In Albania, no one would let you pay €0.60 for a bowl of soup,” says Dea from Albania. Her parents left her homeland in the 1990s because of protests and unrest. Their journey took them through Egypt, Thailand, and Bulgaria. They eventually ended up in the Netherlands, with plans to move on to Canada. That didn’t happen right away, but years later they ended up living in Toronto for five years.
“But my parents ultimately enjoyed life in the Netherlands more. Culturally, they missed things in Canada. So we returned,” says Dea. And she herself also appreciates Dutch culture. “Everything is very structured. That gives me peace of mind.” She moved to Rotterdam to study. And the city felt like a second Toronto to Dea: a city full of languages, cultures, and ethnicities. “In the village where I grew up, I sometimes felt like an outsider as an Albanian. In Toronto, I had that rich feeling of diversity. When I came to Rotterdam, I found that again. And it’s a beautiful city. That made me feel at home quickly.”
At home in Albanian culture
Although she was born in the Netherlands, Dea calls Albania her deepest home. “As soon as I’m on the plane to Albania and I hear people around me speaking my language, I immediately feel at home.” This has a lot to do with her upbringing. “My parents deliberately raised me Albanian. We spoke Albanian at home, we ate Albanian food, we had Albanian friends. That kept the bond very strong.”
She still experiences Albanian culture every day: in hospitality, celebrating together, and the importance of community. “In our culture, you don’t leave the house without eating your fill.” She also emphasizes how Albanians, whether they come from Albania or Kosovo, always feel united.
Advice for newcomers
Her tip for newcomers to Rotterdam is simple and practical: “Go outside and talk to people. Whether that’s at the supermarket, the toko, or somewhere else. We often think that people don’t want to talk, but usually they do. That sense of community makes you feel at home in your city.”