“Rotterdam has such a unique vibe, such energy that I haven’t felt anywhere else,” says Guenolee from Tajikistan. “Rotterdam is a big city, but it’s a lot more relaxed than London or Amsterdam. It’s exactly the balance I was looking for.”
Guenolee grew up in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. She studied in Egypt, where she first started thinking about studying in Europe. “I wanted to go to an English-speaking university,” she says. “I looked at Germany, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom, but the universities in the Netherlands were much more accessible. When I discovered Erasmus University, I knew: this is where I want to be.”
Although she has French roots, studying in France was not an option. “I grew up speaking English. The idea of suddenly studying in French was too daunting for me. And London? It was simply too expensive – and later I discovered that I didn’t even like the city.”
Slower pace
In the end, she consciously chose Rotterdam. “I also visited Utrecht and Maastricht, but Rotterdam immediately felt right. It’s big, but the atmosphere is friendly. There’s room to breathe. I love that ‘slower’ pace.”
Guenolee has now been living here for three years. “I feel at home here, precisely because Rotterdam is so international and multicultural. You hear different languages everywhere. That gives me a sense of recognition – it reminds me of how I grew up.”
Warm and close-knit vs. individualistic
For her, the biggest difference is in how people interact with each other. “In Tajikistan, you felt like your neighbors were almost family. There was always a warm, close-knit community. Here in the Netherlands, I notice that people live more individualistic lives. But in Rotterdam, precisely because of that mix of cultures, there is still that open atmosphere.”
And she takes advantage of that. She has made many friends, especially at her university. “The introduction weeks were very important. I got to know a lot of people there. That immediately gave me a network and made me feel at home here. It also helped me enormously to explore the city myself—just walking around, discovering what’s out there.”
Food and New Year
Nevertheless, Guenolee remains connected to her roots. “Food plays a big role in that. I’m always looking for places where I can find dishes that remind me of home. And I try to celebrate Navruz, the Persian New Year in spring. That’s a big celebration for us.”
She feels that she is also bringing something of her own culture to Rotterdam. “Tajiks are known for their openness and curiosity. I try to radiate that here too.”
Guenolee doesn’t know yet whether she wants to stay here after her studies. “I’m going to finish my bachelor’s degree and maybe do my master’s in Rotterdam too. After that, I want to travel and see which place appeals to me most. There is still so much to discover.”