The Feyenoord team is made up of players from 17 different nationalities. One of them is Austria — represented by Gernot Trauner. “I had already been playing professional football for ten years before I got the chance to join Feyenoord,” he says. “I’d had other offers from abroad before, but it had to be something special for me to take that step. The city had to be good for me and my family, and my children needed access to good education. In Rotterdam, I could check all those boxes — so the decision was easy.” He was 29 when he left Austria, just over three years ago.
Cultures and cycling
Rotterdam is the first foreign adventure for him and his family. “That’s why it was a big step as a family,” he says. But now he is with that he took the step. “I think Rotterdam is a vibrant city. That is of course because of the many people here with different cultures. How they live together in one city is great. In Austria, of course, we also have people from different backgrounds, but not like here in Rotterdam.” But what makes the city especially lively, according to Gernot, are the cycling people in the city. “In Austria, some people also cycle, but more as a hobby, not to transport yourself from A to B. That is here, which is why people also hasten to cycle, because they have to get to work on time or get the children to school on time.” Now Gernot himself is one of those people. So the first thing he did in Rotterdam was to buy a bike. “And so I use it as often as possible. And that’s possible here because the cycling system here is good. For example, cyclists are number one here on the road and the cycle paths are very safe. In Austria we wear helmets, but so we don’t have to here. So I can really enjoy taking the children to school by bike.”
Helping other newcomers
Gernot has thus adapted quickly in Rotterdam. “This was the first time for me that I had to adapt to another country. That changed my thoughts about people coming to another country, about problems they encounter and how to adapt. Now I know how important it is for other people to help you with this.”
That is why he also helps other people who are new to Rotterdam, starting with the players in the Feyenoord team. “Every year we get new players at the club. For some, it is their first time abroad. Surely they have to adapt to certain behaviour here. I think it’s important that they do this as soon as possible because that ensures they play well too. We help them with that. For example, we speak English because not everyone speaks Dutch. And I often ask my teammates how they feel and show them nice places here in Rotterdam.” He also gives them advice. ‘For example, I always advise people to be open. People in Rotterdam are honest and direct. You have to ask for help, and then you always get it.” This always goes down well. According to Gernot, this is because sport integrates easily. “Because sports we do the same everywhere. That’s why this is one of the easiest ways to integrate with.”
Food from Austria
This does not mean he has forgotten his customs from Austria. “Sometimes we still bring some things from Austria like sausages for the bbq or sweets because we are used to eating our own things. But but we are also open to Dutch food and food from other cultures as you often see here in Rotterdam. For example, we went out for sushi with the team. I have the idea that people here often eat that. Now I love it and eat it often too,” he laughs.