Ethan found more than just a new job

“Do it as soon as possible!” That’s Ethan’s advice to South Africans considering a move to the Netherlands. He relocated to Twente several months ago with his wife and baby and is completely satisfied with the decision to live abroad, even though it was his first time leaving South Africa.

Ethan and his family have embraced Dutch culture, although some aspects, especially food and eating habits, took some getting used to. “Even something as simple as grocery shopping is different. In South Africa, it’s common to shop once a month. Here, people go every day or week,” he explains.

What stands out to him even more is the sense of freedom they now enjoy. “On a Sunday morning, you can spontaneously decide to go for a walk without worrying about what might go wrong,” Ethan says. The safety they feel is a stark contrast to what they knew back home. “It’s a relief to know my wife and little girl can walk down the street without fear. That’s not the reality we had in South Africa.”

He also values the freedom of time. The Dutch work culture was his biggest culture shock: a healthy balance between effort and downtime. “I used to be glued to my job and phone 24/7,” he recalls. He also noticed a striking difference in workplace dynamics: “There’s much less hierarchy. Leaders guide by example, not by power.” At his new job, collaboration is key. “The mechanical, electrical, and other teams all pitch in to solve problems together. In South Africa, a small part of the team carries the weight while the rest make excuses or disappear.”

“There’s much less hierarchy. Leaders guide by example, not by power.”

This transition has been deeply beneficial for Ethan. “I’ve become a lot calmer. I’m no longer constantly in a rush, which has helped me return to the basics and rethink key aspects of my work to succeed here.” Although the adjustment was challenging at times, he insists it was more than worth it. “The life you can build here is so much broader and more fulfilling than what’s possible back in South Africa.”