Lardus du Plessis

Lardus du Plessis arrived in the Netherlands in April 2022. He wrote about his first experiences.

Lardus, why did you emigrate to the Netherlands?
Due to certain events in South Africa, I started to feel that exploring options across the world would be better for me. After various considerations, The Netherlands was the right choice as it checked the most boxes:
1. Political stability
2. Safety
3. They seem to understand the concept of a good work/life balance
4. Working, reliable infrastructure, including public transport
5. Unlocking Europe for travel

Can you tell us something how you do like the Netherlands?
Thus far The Netherlands has been good and I feel safe everywhere I go. I can safely cycle to work with my laptop! It is clean, and even through some of the red tape, things JUST WORK! The biggest differences would be driving on the wrong side of the road, there are cyclists everywhere, having so much extra time to myself due to the work/life balance, and the language of course. Another big difference is the type of nature available – I love trail running, especially the more technical routes up mountains. Here I cannot find what I like, so I have had to get used to doing road running.

Please tell us something about the projects you are currently working on.
I am currently working for a company called VConsyst on their Urban Mining team (waste disposal management). The main platform is done using Microsoft Dynamics (first time for me working with this technology), with C# .Net backend, APIs and services to complement the hardware systems and devices. As I am still learning so much about the business and physical products we interface with, I cannot say too much more about it at the moment other than the products are used all over The Netherlands and also in various other European countries.

Did the process of emigration go smoothly?
Planning for my move coincided with a planned vacation where I would have very little or no connectivity, so there were a few hiccups along the way from my side. Though the team at summit developers were there all the way and arranged as much as they could. Things moved quite fast after I got back from my vacation. I submitted my passport for the Visa and I got it back in 2 working days because everything was already approved due to the efforts of the team! I still have some things to tie up in South Africa and here in The Netherlands, but it was quite the smooth process. I would suggest not hiking up mountains during this process, but if you do, know the team will be there to support you along the way 🙂

Can you explain to the South Africans who are considering to go overseas how you did experience the support from us?
The support from the team was fantastic. They arranged so many things while I was out of contact hiking in the Himalayas, including my home and all the paperwork for the emigration process. Ton met me at the airport and took me to pick up my vehicle. I had to drive within 2 hours of landing here! I was taken to my new home and Ton arranged the required Gemeente and IND meeting for me and made sure I was nicely set up before he let me rest a bit. As I am quite a distance away from the main office, I do not have face to face meetings with them, but Ton and Paulien check in on me often to make sure everything is still going well and if I need further assistance. I have never felt alone or abandoned this side because I know the team is only a WhatsApp or phone call away. Do not hesitate to ask them for anything!