“It wasn’t love at first sight,” says Iva from the Czech Republic about Rotterdam. Yet she has been living here for five years now. And ten years in the Netherlands. “I came to this country because I was looking for new opportunities, something exciting, something different and new. I had a great job in Prague, but I made some friends in the Netherlands. They opened the door for me. That’s when I decided to do something different and step out of my comfort zone.”
Her arrival in the Netherlands was not easy. “It was harder than I thought. I couldn’t find a job and the weather wasn’t very welcoming. And I really experienced culture shock, even though Prague isn’t that far away. People in Prague are warmer.” Iva considered going back. “But I decided to stay strong. I think it was a good decision not to do that.” Eventually, she found a job at an international company in Amsterdam. “That made me really want to stay.”
Not impressed
Nevertheless, she traded that job for another one at the Rotterdam School of Management. “I decided that I really wanted to take this opportunity. We also looked for an apartment and found one in Rotterdam in a beautiful location.” However, Rotterdam was not love at first sight. “At first, I wasn’t very impressed with the city. We also moved here just before the coronavirus pandemic.”
Easy going, down-to-earth, and open
Nevertheless, she eventually found her place in the city. “After the pandemic, I started going out more, met other people, and then I developed a love for the city. I like how easy going, down-to-earth, open, and friendly it is. There is also a lot of culture here, such as museums. I really enjoy that.” Iva also likes the fact that people of different nationalities live here. “That’s why life as an expat here is very normal and pleasant.” She has even come to appreciate the honesty and directness of the people of Rotterdam. “You can be warm, but not say what you really mean. At the same time, I also felt free to say what I think and feel. That has changed me too.”
But every city has its downsides. “Sometimes I find the city dirty. It’s sad to see that some people don’t care about a clean environment. I also miss the nature in the Czech Republic; going to the mountains and the forest.”
Not stuck in one culture
She is now with a German man and has a daughter. She doesn’t miss the culture of her home country. “I’ve never been stuck in my culture. I’ve always been open to different cultures. I’m not that fixated on certain holidays. You can always spend time with family and friends. Czech cuisine is very good, but it takes a lot of time to prepare. So I don’t really miss it here. If I want to experience Czech culture again, I can easily go back.”
Rotterdam Pass
She does consider it sometimes. “But now we’re enjoying our time here. I have to say that I’m enjoying the Netherlands more and more.” That’s partly because of the Rotterdam Pass. “It makes everything easier,” she laughs. “It allows you to discover the whole city. So buy one!”