“In Rotterdam, you don’t have to fit in, because everyone is different here,” says Timothy. “Everyone is authentic and unique, and that’s what makes the city so beautiful.” He was born in Breda but has been living in Rotterdam for two years to study. However, his roots lie in Rwanda and Uganda. His father fled to Europe during the genocide in Rwanda, later met Timothy’s mother in Uganda, and eventually settled in the Netherlands.
The language, ceremonies, and food
Nevertheless, Rwanda and Uganda are important in his life. “My parents always said: you have to learn Kinyarwanda, the language spoken in both countries. Otherwise, you won’t be able to talk to your grandmother. When I went to Uganda for the first time at the age of seventeen, I realized how valuable that was.“ He also appreciates the way weddings and funerals are celebrated. ”I think it’s beautiful how they honor those kinds of ceremonies.” And, of course, he also loves the dishes his mother cooks.
At home, even with a migrant background
Fortunately, he also feels at home in Rotterdam. “The multicultural society here is so natural. In Rotterdam, you see how cultures coexist without losing its Rotterdam character. I think that’s wonderful. You feel at home here, even if you have a migrant background.” He mainly discovered the city through other newcomers. “I just dove right into student life.”
More development
He believes he has been able to develop more in Rotterdam than he would have done in Breda. “In Breda, I only spoke Dutch, but here I speak almost exclusively English with my friends, housemates, and during my studies. That’s a really big difference. It feels like I’m living in a completely different world, even though I’m close to where I was born.” He is happy in Rotterdam. “Here, I had the opportunity to explore my roots. Rotterdam’s openness made me feel right at home.”