Anabell’s adventure: from Berlin to Leeuwarden!

Living and working abroad has always been a dream of mine, it all started with my decision to take a gap year after high school to become an au pair in the USA. That experience played a significant role in my choice to study International Business. When the time came for me to find an internship as part of my studies, I was excited about the prospect of living abroad once again! 🌍

I was looking for a European location that wasn't too far from my home in Germany, so it would offer a sense of security. At the same time, I wanted to be far enough away to fully immerse myself in a new environment. The location was just one part of the decision. I wanted an internship that I would genuinely enjoy, where I could learn and feel comfortable working in. 

When someone invites you to join them, take the opportunity. These are the moments that create lasting memories, create new friendships, and help you make the most of your time abroad. 

Moving to Leeuwarden 🇳🇱

After some extensive searching, I stumbled upon an internship in the People & Culture role at Yobbers in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, and it felt like the perfect match. Moving to the Netherlands was an entirely new experience for me. I had never been to the Netherlands before, not even for a holiday. On one hand, I couldn't wait to live in a new city, immerse myself in a different culture, and make new friends. On the other hand, there were worries about navigating a foreign country on my own, dealing with language barriers, and handling all the logistics independently. 

Thankfully, securing the internship in advance took away the stress of job hunting. However, finding suitable accommodation turned out to be quite a challenge. I searched for about three months, faced numerous rejections, and watched my internship start date approach with a growing sense of concern. Luckily, I finally managed to secure a beautiful apartment just a month before my internship began. 💪 Looking back, starting my apartment search early was a smart move, as it relieved much of the stress that comes with the process. Once I had that sorted, the rest of the planning fell into place more easily.

Since the Netherlands is not too far from Germany, I had the opportunity to visit Leeuwarden for a weekend before my internship officially started. I visited together with my parents, and it was nice to be able to explore the city together and show them what my life here could look like. When I finally moved and my internship began, I was eager to explore the city more. I've always been comfortable doing things alone, so I ventured out solo, exploring the city at my own pace. Just walking around on the weekends, visiting random shops and venturing into small streets helped me get to know the city a bit more.

Settling in a new country

In regard to making new contacts, fortunately my colleagues at work were very welcoming, and I quickly connected with other interns, which made adapting to the new environment much smoother. Building connections outside of work was a bit more challenging, but living in student housing made a big difference. Meeting up in common areas or attending student parties in the buildings were easy ways to make new friends. 🥂

After spending a little over a month in Leeuwarden, I can say that the similarities between German and Dutch cultures eased the transition, and the language barrier wasn't a huge issue, thanks to the widespread use of English. However, dealing with Dutch websites and official documents that were only available in Dutch posed their own challenges and I needed some help from native speakers to navigate it.

One of the things I love most about living abroad is trying new and different foods. I enjoy visiting local supermarkets and exploring intriguing items that I haven't seen before. Dutch bakeries, in particular, have become a favourite of mine, offering a vast variety of pastries and cakes that are different from what I'm used to in Germany.  🍰

My advice to you 

If I were to offer some advice to anyone considering living abroad, it would be this: start planning early and keep an open mind. Early planning, especially when it comes to finding accommodation, can reduce the pressure of making rushed decisions and ensure that you secure a place that suits your needs. Also, maintaining an open mind is crucial. When someone invites you to join them in an activity or suggests trying something new, take the opportunity. These are the moments that create lasting memories, create new friendships, and help you make the most of your time abroad. ✨

Also looking for an amazing experience abroad? Check out our vacancies abroad and before you know it, you will be in the middle of an unforgettable adventure just like Anabell! Or would you like to join Yobbers in Leeuwarden or Valencia instead? Then check out the vacancies at Yobbers!