“I felt so alone.” That’s how Mihaela from Moldova describes her first months in Rotterdam. She had moved before, but in 2020 she moved to Rotterdam for love – in the middle of a global lockdown. “Everything was closed: cafes, cinemas, museums. I didn’t know anyone except my boyfriend and his family.”
Mihaela grew up in Moldova and left at the age of nineteen to study in France. During an exchange year in Germany, she met her boyfriend, who is from Rotterdam. “We hit it off right away. Later, he suggested that I come to Rotterdam to see if we were really compatible.” In 2020, she found an internship in the city and moved. “It was exciting: a new country, living together for the first time, and in the middle of a pandemic. Everything at once.”
First impression: modern, but cold
Although she had been to the Netherlands before, Mihaela had to get used to Rotterdam. “At first, I found it very modern and a bit cold, with all those tall buildings. Not as charming as Leiden or Amsterdam. But when the city reopened after the lockdowns, I discovered how international and welcoming Rotterdam actually is. That’s when I fell in love.”
New friends in a digital world
Because meeting places were closed, Mihaela looked for creative ways to get to know people. “I found communities through Facebook and apps like Meetup. We went for walks together, because that was possible. That’s how I met Moldovans, but also French, English, and Dutch people. A few of those first friendships still exist today.”
From cinema to choir
When the city reopened, a whole new world opened up for her. “I discovered Kino, my favorite movie theater, and became a volunteer at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. And recently, I started singing with the Space Choir. It’s such a great way to meet people—singing is a universal language.”
A sandwich and no expensive cars
She sees a big difference between Moldova and the Netherlands in terms of food. “In Moldova, we spend much more time cooking. Here, people often eat a sandwich for lunch, while we make hot lunches. But I have also adopted Dutch efficiency—sometimes I just have a sandwich myself.”
What she particularly appreciates about the Netherlands is its simplicity. “People here are down-to-earth; they don’t show off with expensive cars or houses. In Moldova, it’s different. I like that it feels more equal here.”
Wine and hospitality
Still, Mihaela holds on to her roots. “This year, for the first time in a long time, I celebrated Easter the Moldovan way: dyeing eggs with onion skins and baking sweet Easter bread. I also often bring a bottle of Moldovan wine to friends. Wine and hospitality are part of our culture: we love to eat and dance together. In Moldova, no one stands still at a wedding; everyone dances the Hora in a circle.”