Louis la Grange

Hi Louis, when did you arrive in the Netherlands?
I arrived at the end of February 2023, little over two years ago.

How did you experience the first few months in the Netherlands?
The first few months were a mix of excitement, awe and adventure alongside challenges and tiredness – due to learning and working in a “new” language and society.

Does it feel like home?
It feels like a home, one of two that I now have. Although, it is here that I came to the full realisation that there is no place on earth we can truly call home. This is a temporary stop on our way to Heaven.

Do you still live in the same house as in the beginning?
Yes. I haven’t found a reason to move yet.

How was it to learn the language? Was it easier or harder than expected?
Both, actually. It was easier than expected to start using the language to communicate, but it is still harder than expected to convey all of my thoughts in Dutch. Being assertive and concise is still challenging at times because of it. Easy to learn, hard to master…

What do you miss most about South Africa?
There are the obvious things like the majestic mountains & beaches, as well as close family & friends. There are also less obvious things such as dried mango and the diversity of culture.

What appeals to you most in the Netherlands?
Opportunities to grow, learn. Not only in my career, but also my personal life due to the good work-life balance. Sometimes you need to go out of your comfort zone to catalyse growth and realise where your true strength comes from (Jesus Christ in my case). Being part of the EU brings many benefits when travelling. The abundance of good cheese is also a plus, alongside great infrastructure and all its liberties.