“They have less there, but also less stress,” says Jan. “When people meet me, they usually don’t believe my name is Jan,” he laughs. People often can’t place his origins either. “They guess all kinds of things: the Antilles, Morocco, Asia…” But none of that is true. The only thing that gives him away is his rugby shirt, because he comes from a well-known rugby nation: Fiji. “People are usually really surprised when I tell them where I’m from.” That’s not surprising; this island nation northeast of New Zealand is not very well known.
At the age of three, he moved to Rotterdam with his parents and sister. His father was a true Rotterdammer who worked in the hospitality industry. He left for England at a young age and ended up in Fiji through a temp agency. There he worked as a chef in a hotel, where his mother also worked. “They fell in love and I am one of the children of that love.”
Multicultural society with bad apples
After his birth, the young family traveled around the world for a while, but eventually returned to Fiji for the birth of Jan’s sister. Not long after, they moved back to Rotterdam. Jan was a toddler at the time. “I remember celebrating my birthday at a kind of daycare center. People sang for me, and I found that very uncomfortable.”
He grew up in the Zevenkamp neighborhood, a place with many different cultures. “As a child, you don’t see color. You just play with everyone you meet,“ says Jan. ”It’s only later that you realize where everyone comes from.“ Jan thinks it’s good that Rotterdam has such a multicultural society. ”But yes, there are also a lot of bad apples. Still, it’s too easy to say that all foreigners should leave. People just have to accept each other as we are. After all, we have to shape society together.” He finds this topic difficult. “It’s not something that can be solved overnight. But something has to be done.”
Straightforward and lively
He has now built a life for himself in Rotterdam and has a thirteen-year-old daughter. He is a true Rotterdammer and loves living here. He particularly likes the mentality. “Straightforward. If something is good, it’s good. And if it’s not good, we’ll see how we can make it better.” He also loves the hustle and bustle of the city. “I need that. I don’t cope well with quiet. A rural village would not be for me.”
Jan works in the hospitality industry and is good at talking to people, something he also recognizes from his native country. “In Fiji, everyone says hello to each other on the street. It’s easy to make contact. I think that’s also part of who I am.” He thinks it’s a great trait and a tip for newcomers to Rotterdam. “Get out there. Mix with people. Don’t just look for your own group, but get to know others too.”
Less stress, more enjoyment
Jan does miss Fiji. He sees big differences between his native country and the Netherlands. “Here we have everything, but also a lot of stress. In Fiji they have less, but they may live happier lives. It’s far too hot and relaxed there to worry about things like being on time,” he says. “People there enjoy life and each other much more.”
He therefore wants to spend his old age in the island nation. “If circumstances allow. Because when I go there, I come home. It’s more than just a vacation feeling.” Still, he will remain in Rotterdam for the time being. “As long as my daughter is still in school, I’m not just going to leave. But it continues to pull at me.”