The weather wasn't the only thing that Jenn had to adjust to when she moved from Malaysia to the Netherlands many years ago. She has recovered from the initial culture shock, and has found many things about Dutch culture and Dutch attitudes to appreciate. This friendly Malaysian expat describes some aspects of her life with her husband in Spijkenisse, and shares specific tips on things like finding a job, the cost of living in the Netherlands, and adjusting to daily Dutch life.

Jenn Poldervaart-Donneo

-Where were you born?

In a village in Papar, Sabah, Malaysia

-In which country and city are you living now?

Currently in Spijkenisse, the Netherlands, about 30 km away from Rotterdam.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living with my Dutch husband.

-How long have you been living in the Netherlands?

About 9 years now.

-What is your age?

36 years and 2 months old

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Netherlands?

I never dreamed of living outside Malaysia until I met my Dutch boyfriend, currently husband, fell in love and decided to leave everything in Malaysia and start a new life in the Netherlands.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

Nine years ago, it took us 4-5 months to arrange and finally obtain a visa (mvv). I was on holiday here and had to go back to Malaysia to get all papers stamped, approved, signed; more stamps, more meetings, signatures, and finally it was done. The mvv was only a temporary visa. A day after arriving in this country, we went to the immigration authorities to report my presence in the country with the mvv and then to apply for the temporary residence permit (bepaaldetijd verblijfsvergunning). I had to renew every year and then got the 5-year permit. Now, I have my permanent/onbepaalde verblijfsvergunning.

These days, it is obliged to pass the Dutch test at the embassy in your own country. Once you have this, the Dutch embassy will only approve your application for the mvv.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No, it was not difficult at all. Since I came here for my partner, he arranged the medical insurance through his company for me.

-How do you make your living in the Netherlands? Do you have any type of income generated?

When I first came here, I didn’t know a lot about the job-hunting process. So, the first 2.5 years I was here, I was jobless. Then I started to find a way to get a temporary position. Through a recruitment agency, I started working in a Danish company as a secretary. After 3 months, I got a job in the finance department in an American company and worked in a couple of companies as an accountant. Presently, I am a Finance Analyst for another American company in Rotterdam.

Having to land myself in my very first job in this country was not a piece of cake. I had to start from the bottom, learn the skills, culture and knowledge and gain lots of experience from the organization. Once this is fulfilled, getting a job you like with a decent income is pretty easy.

-Do you speak Dutch and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I do speak, write and understand Dutch. Although most of the Dutch speak English and mostly prefer to speak English when they notice that one does not speak Dutch well, it is always advisable to learn the language. Starting a conversation with a stranger is pretty easy here too; just mention your idea about the weather in Dutch and you will learn more from the stranger about other things.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I do miss my family back home especially my little nephews and niece but we visit home almost every year or I call them anytime I like when I miss their voice.

Over the years in this country, I make friends from the internet, from work and from daily life. So, we always receive guests (family/friends/acquaintances) from all over the world in our house. Our second guestroom, we changed it into a small library for my books, my 3D cards and my other hobbies.

My husband enjoys driving so he and I travel a lot to places in the country or to neighbouring countries such as Belgium, Germany or Luxembourg. Some of our favourites to show our guests in Holland are the dikes, the beaches in Rockanje till Zeeland, Madurodam Miniature City in The Hague, Keukenhof in Lisse, 3-country point in Valkenburg, Volendam, Europoort and the entrance to the port of Rotterdam in Maasvlakte.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

My husband and I plan to go back to Malaysia in the future. We are saving money for our dreams, i.e., to build an orphanage (my dream) and a small guest house (my husband’s) in Sabah. While still in Europe, I plan to travel more and see more places in this region.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

Over the years, we have been buying and renting apartments. Since early 2005, we have owned a 3-storey house with 4 bedrooms. It cost us between €220K and €250K. We pay about €1K per month for the mortgage and another €500-€1000 per month for the utilities, insurance, taxes, etc., just for this house.

A simple apartment with one bedroom, a living room plus kitchen, a bathroom and a small storeroom costs between €400 and €800 per month. It depends on the area you want to live and the type of apartment. In the city, it is more expensive than in a village.

-What is the cost of living in the Netherlands?

The older generations of the locals complain that since the Euro started controlling the economy, the cost of everything seems to have doubled. All consumer goods, services, taxes, insurances and oil prices have increased. Each time a new year is around the corner, the people have to suffer yet another increase in the price of a product or service.

Our net income after tax is used to pay the bills and to enjoy life. Our fixed costs include the mortgage, all sorts of insurance including medical, all sorts of tax, television (€16 standard, €13 - €50 digital TV – we cancelled another package for the digital TV because it was too expensive), telephone cost, utilities, saving, etc. In addition, we also have the variable costs to pay from the cell phones, fast phone, car fuel and utilities. Then, we need to buy our necessaries, food and drinks. Since we like travelling or driving to places, it costs us money for fuel and foods on the way. So, for us the cost of living here is definitely high.

As the Dutch say, "Only the sun is free."

-What do you think about the Dutch?

Being an Asian with a different way of upbringing: respect people, be friendly, kind and the list goes on, it shocked me a great deal when I had my first encounter with the "rude" locals. In my first year, I suffered from culture shock. But after learning their culture and trying to act, think and do things like them, I can say I like their opinionated way of thinking and their sometimes dry humour. They are very direct but not rude. Most of them are friendly and nice.

I admire the rich locals for not showing off how rich they are. The locals are also very neat and clean. When making an appointment, it is important for them to be on time. They do not appreciate people who are late for their appointments. All in all, they are very disciplined in all sorts of ways.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Nethelands?

Positive: The people here don't bother about other people's business. No synchronization of English or other language movies unlike in the neighbouring country. Commuting from one place to another is very easy with the availability of public transportation. There are a lot of good and professional headhunters to help you look for the best job. Almost everyone is cycling here so there are bicycle paths along the roads everywhere. Jobs are always available for students or part-timers. Our annual pay includes the 8% of the yearly holiday allowance so going on vacation is encouraged here.

Negative: Everybody who works 'legally' has to pay tax from 32% to 52% based on individual income. The more you earn per annum, the more tax you have to pay. Our tax payment might go directly to the people who do not work and receive income from the government for free. Criminal activity is high here and the prisoners get to live a good life in prison with all the luxuries provided.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Netherlands?

Firstly, learn to speak/read Dutch and learn their culture. Secondly, have an open heart and mind. You'll be fine.

Getting a job in the Randstad area (the west coast) is pretty easy than in the east for a non-Dutch speaker. You need to have a sofinummer (social security number) and a bank account to earn a living; that means you must have a residence permit or working permit here. If you are desperate to look for an international company, surf the net for an 'uitzendbureau' or recruitment agency. Be on time for your appointments. Always carry your sweater and an umbrella because of the unpredictable weather. Having a bicycle is popular here but be aware that it needs to have a very, very good lock when you leave it somewhere. Although public transportation is pretty easy, be ready for the high price, especially the train. Get a discount card to enjoy the cheaper rates.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Netherlands?

www.9292ov.nl – The public transport information website, really handy because it provides you data on trip durations, the how's of going from a place to another.

www.buienradar.nl – Very important to know what the weather in the next second will be like.

www.ns.nl – The website for train info.

Thank you for the interview, Victor and Lizza.

You're welcome, Jenn. Many thanks to you too.