Daniel Jordaan

Hi Daniel, when did you arrive in the Netherlands?
My partner and I arrived in the Netherlands on the 30th of December 2021.

How did you experience the first few months in the Netherlands?
The first few months were a mixture of excitement and nervousness. There were so many new experiences to be had.

Does it feel like home?
Definitely, the Netherlands is our new home.

Do you still live in the same house as in the beginning?
We stayed in the same apartment for just shy of 3 years before we were able to purchase a house in a nearby area.

How was it to learn the language? Was it easier or harder than expected?
We are still students of the language because there is still so much to learn. We enrolled in a Dutch language learning course with Panoramic Learning in which we had lessons twice per week. The language is rather complex, with all its grammar rules, but it is enormously beneficial to know Afrikaans and use it as a base. Afrikaans is my second language and it helped massively in the Dutch learning process.

What do you miss most about South Africa?
I miss my family and friends, and the nature and culture of South Africa.

What appeals to you most in the Netherlands?
Everything works and it works well. It’s safe, which has always been a major concern in South Africa. The work/life balance is more relaxed and you as the worker are better looked after than in South Africa.