Six and a half years ago, I took a leap of faith and moved to the Netherlands by myself.
Why?
Before this, I had lost my direction after moving back to Scotland from Malaysia. After living abroad with my partner at the time, I just couldn’t quite fit back into life there.
👉My move to the Netherlands was a difficult one at first. I remember flying over the day after New Year’s, and it felt very lonely. I had to start over, living with a roommate (great guy) and trying to build a new life while making new friends.
🌱My new life began with a job at HSV International School. The moment I walked into the school, I instantly knew it was the right fit. It just felt like home.
👉Since that day, I’ve worked hard to build a life here and have experienced so much more than I ever could have imagined.
In six and a half years, I’ve:
Gotten married (met a lovely Dutch lady)
Had a beautiful daughter
Bought a house
Gotten a Skoda family car (never thought I would have a Skoda)
Broken my hip (I have a new shiny metal one, thanks to the Dutch health care system!)
Navigated COVID and online teaching as a teacher living abroad
Achieved an MSc in Outdoor Education
Trained teachers in India
Been diagnosed with ADHD (probably the reason for trying to do some many things 😂
Had a go at learning Dutch
Worked three years teaching my outdoor learning program across four schools
Become a milestone leader
Started a business
Taught many amazing students
Met fantastic friends
Sometimes, a big change is exactly the motivator you need to build a better life. I believe all you have to do is just keep moving.
Mostly forwards, sometimes backwards, and occasionally to the side and also landing on you backside from time to time (hence the hip replacement) —but just keep going and keep believing!
If you’re itching for a new start abroad, why not give it a go?