Charn van der Walt

Charn van der Walt had already been working remotely for a client of ours for some time when he eventually emigrated to the Netherlands in June 2026. Read on for Charn’s experiences.

Charn, why did you emigrate to the Netherlands?
I was working remotely for a company and fell in love with the work culture, mindset, and opportunities for both professional and personal growth. At some point, the growth I wanted wasn’t possible from a distance, the next logical step was getting on a plane and fully stepping into this new chapter.

Can you tell us something how you do like the Netherlands?
I love the sense of independence you gain here very quickly. The calm order of daily life makes everything feel lighter and less burdensome. I appreciate the greenery, nature and walkable cities. As someone who loves South Africa, some of the biggest differences are the social and work culture: people are more direct, independent, and respectful towards boundaries. Work culture is trust-based with a lot of autonomy (though this can differ per company).

Please tell us something about the projects you are currently working on.
I’m working as a DevOps engineer in the Supply Chain area, a field I once thought was mundanely boring, but I’m genuinely finding it exciting. The projects I’m involved in are a mix of innovative, challenging and surprisingly energizing.

Did the process of emigration go smoothly?
Emotionally intense but incredibly empowering. There is no shortage of admin, but Summit handled a huge portion of it and guided me through the Dutch bureaucracy. Arriving here felt like stepping into a new chapter with clarity and direction.

Can you explain to the South Africans who are considering to go overseas how you did experience the support from us?
I felt genuinely supported, especially in moments of uncertainty. Summit helped me build confidence quicker in navigating Dutch systems. The balance between practical help and trusting me to handle certain things myself worked really well. What could’ve been a chaotic process felt smooth and efficient, like a well-oiled machine. Team work makes the dream work!