Raymond Holm

Raymond Holm arrived in the Netherlands in February 2026, together with his wife Veronica and their daughter Amelia. Read more about the  first experiences of Raymond.

Raymond, why did you emigrate to the Netherlands?
My wife and I have always had a strong desire to travel and explore more of the world. While emigration was always something we considered, we never had a specific destination in mind. One of the biggest challenges was the thought of leaving our family behind in South Africa.

When I began my career in the IT industry, relocating abroad became one of my primary goals, specifically finding an opportunity that would support the emigration process. During high school, I had the chance to visit Italy for sports, and I fell in love with the environment and the sense of safety, which stayed with me over the years.

While still exploring opportunities abroad, my previous manager, who had also used summit developers, recommended the Netherlands. After seeing the incredible opportunity, the level of support summit developers offered, and considering the safety and future of our daughter, we made the decision to take this step and move abroad.

Can you tell us something how you do like the Netherlands?
Arriving near the end of February gave us quite a weather surprise, experiencing our first snowfall after coming from the warm, humid South Coast of South Africa. Adjusting to the language has also been interesting, especially when comparing Dutch to Afrikaans.

Simple things, like driving on the right-hand side of the road for the first time and learning to navigate around cyclists, took some getting used to! However, we are truly enjoying life in the Netherlands. We’ve embraced the Dutch culture, explored different cities, and love how active people are, walking and cycling both day and night.

Everything feels green and vibrant, and the natural scenery and walking trails are absolutely beautiful. And of course, stroopwafels deserve a special mention!

Please tell us something about the projects you are currently working on.
I am currently working at WSP Systems, a company focused on solutions within the laundry industry. Although I’ve only been with them for a short time, their core focus is on maximizing productivity, identifying inefficiencies, and eliminating bottlenecks within laundromat operations.

They also design laundromat layouts to ensure optimal workflow and efficiency. My work involves contributing to an application that provides an overview of the system layout and enables real-time tracking of all components. It also allows for configuration of the logical processes that control the flow, from washing to drying to folding.

It has been a great learning experience so far, and I’ve found it both challenging and rewarding. The team at WSP Systems has been incredibly welcoming, supportive, and inclusive, which has made settling in much easier.

Did the process of emigration go smoothly?
The process itself can be stressful, especially when it comes to gathering documents and meeting deadlines. However, the support we received from summit developers throughout the entire journey was exceptional.

Whenever there were uncertainties or important decisions to be made, they guided us with practical and thoughtful solutions, significantly reducing the stress. From handling visa applications to assisting with housing and transportation, everything was managed in a smooth and organized manner.

One small but incredibly meaningful gesture was the welcome crate with food and essentials upon arrival. Being in a completely new environment, this made a huge difference and helped us settle in without feeling overwhelmed.

Can you explain to the South Africans who are considering to go overseas how you did experience the support from us?
Ton, Matthijs, and Paulien have been outstanding throughout the entire process. They were always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and ensure that everything stayed on track.

They truly think of everything, and I don’t believe we could have chosen a better company to support us through such a life-changing decision. Their responsiveness and willingness to help made a significant difference, especially during more urgent situations.

I can confidently say that this process would have been far more stressful without their assistance. I would highly recommend summit developers to anyone considering relocating abroad. They also offer access to a community of South Africans via WhatsApp, which provides additional support and connection.

summit developers played a key role in making this journey possible. For anyone considering the move: choosing them is a decision you won’t regret.