Henry Barker

Hi Henry, when did you arrive in the Netherlands?
My family and I arrived in the Netherlands in April 2024. One of the unexpected perks was that we effectively got two summers in a row. We left South Africa just as winter was starting and arrived here right before the Dutch summer, so we managed to skip winter entirely that year.

How did you experience the first few months in the Netherlands?
Of course, emigrating is a big life change and the first few months were an emotional rollercoaster. There are times when you miss your home country, your friends, family, and the way of life you’re used to. At the same time, you don’t quite feel at home in the new country yet, and there are many practical challenges to overcome.

What made it easier was that, in the beginning, everything is also new and exciting. We were discovering a different culture, different traditions, and new places, so there was a sense of adventure as well. It felt a little like being a tourist while slowly building a new life.

We were also fortunate to meet some wonderful people who made a real difference. We found support through my workplace, our children’s school, and our neighbourhood. Those connections helped us feel welcome and gradually made the Netherlands feel more like home.

Looking back, the first few months were challenging, but they were also a period of growth, learning, and building a new community.

Does it feel like home?
The Netherlands is our home.

When we moved here, we came with the mindset that this would be our home. We wanted to embrace the culture, learn the language, and integrate as much as possible into Dutch society. From the beginning, we made an effort to participate in local traditions and adapt to the Dutch way of life rather than trying to recreate South Africa here.

One thing that surprised us was how many similarities there are between Dutch and Afrikaans culture. There are certainly differences, but the shared history and some of the cultural values made the adjustment easier than we expected.

We genuinely enjoy living here and have built a good life for our family. The experience has helped us grow, both individually and as a family, and over time the Netherlands has truly become home.

Do you still live in the same house as in the beginning?
Yes, we still live in the same house we moved into when we arrived in the Netherlands. We were fortunate to find a family home in an area where we feel comfortable and happy.

We are currently looking to buy a home, but our intention is to stay in the same area. One of our main priorities is providing stability for our children, as they have settled well into their school, made friends, and built their lives here.

How was it to learn the language? Was it easier or harder than expected?
Dutch is definitely a challenging language to learn, although having Afrikaans as my first language has made the process much easier and faster than it might be for many other people.

In the beginning, the phrase “Mijn Nederlands is niet zo goed” was a real lifesaver. It helped us get through many everyday situations while we were still learning. Over time, our confidence has grown, and we are now able to navigate daily life in Dutch, even though we are not yet as fluent as we would like to be.

One thing that has really helped is that Dutch people generally appreciate it when you make an effort to speak the language. We have found people to be patient, encouraging, and willing to help when we get stuck.

Learning Dutch is still a work in progress, but being able to communicate more and more in the language has helped us feel increasingly at home in the Netherlands.

What do you miss most about South Africa?
Of course, the thing we miss most is our family and friends.

We also miss our old home. South Africa has its own kind of gezelligheid, a warmth, openness, and way of bringing people together that is difficult to explain unless you have experienced it.

What appeals to you most in the Netherlands?
There are many things that appeal to us about life in the Netherlands.

One of the biggest is the freedom our children have. They can play outside in the neighbourhood, cycle to school, and enjoy a level of independence that gives us great peace of mind as parents.

I also appreciate the way Dutch people interact with one another. There is a certain maturity, respect, and sense of shared responsibility in society. The Dutch phrase “met elkaar omgaan” captures it well, it is about living together and considering how your actions affect others.

Another thing I admire is the infrastructure. Roads, public spaces, cycling paths, and public services are generally well maintained and function as they should. It creates a sense of reliability in everyday life.

And then there is something that still makes me smile. As a South African, you develop a very different awareness of security. Every now and then I see a security measure here and think, “That would never survive a week in South Africa.” It is not criticism at all, quite the opposite. It is a reminder that many Dutch people have simply never had to think about security in the same way we did.