This was really enjoyable and now I realise I need (or rather, want!) to go back into your 'Immigrant Hagelslag' archive to find out more about your move - the whys, hows, etc. I always find these stories fascinating.
And well done you on the language progress and getting a job. I'm in awe, truly. As a long-time English/long-time lousy language learner (I love making excuses), I'm so inspired by stories like this. I did sort of look around for similarish jobs in Vienna (with my near zero German) but with little luck.
Credit to the Dutch directness, many people ask why we moved here. Some emphasize Netherlands over other countries, others suggesting why would I want to leave America. If I say America felt dangerous, they get it. When I say we wanted a new life, most nod with a somber smile. But then there are still a few who dream of the land of Chipotle and Raising Caine’s…
haha I totally relate to aiming too high with my sentence construction-- sometimes I'll start a complicated story and halfway through just half to give up. How cool you have a job! That will be great for immersion and I'm sure you'll get good material for writing as well. looking forward to reading more
It’s the difficulty of knowing enough to be dangerously but not quite enough to fully express yourself! The job is exactly that—a small income but mostly the experience and yes, good stories to come!!
Ahhh so now I know why we haven't been hearing from you as much! That's so neat that they offered you a job! How did it come about? And great that it's part time so you still have time for Substack and your books.
Yeah, eight hours on the sales floor has been an adjustment in many ways! I was looking for anything books adjacent and interviewed within a few days of applying. It is just the right balance to help me keep writing and get some income for the Dutch to tax 😂
Thanks for sharing your journey! I'm happy for you that things are going smoothly, and especially that you feel embraced as a family ❤️
I am curious (and don't feel compelled to answer) whether you sense any resentment toward USers or issues around gentrification? I've seen a few pieces about Amsterdam and overtourism, but not displacement or outpricing.
I’ve been reflecting on this and plan to write my take on it soon, but here there are a few different words that describe types of foreigners. The term I hear is “buitenlanders” which means people from outside. In my experience, if you choose to embrace and adapt to Dutch culture you can be from somewhere else but not be an outsider.
It’s fascinating in terms of the ways it excludes classes and races, most assuredly; however, to me it seems as though Dutch society is much less divided by race than income. And income is not predetermined by race because of the legacy and lessons learned from the years as a culture of slave traders.
Returning for more once I'm done my shift, Gillian, but this causes a couple of ideas to surface for me. There is a strange kind of anonymity to living abroad . . . Do you think it helps when it comes to explaining your writing to people. I find "host countries" far more interested in what a writer from another country has to say. Is this true in Holland as well?
Interesting—I definitely feel my own perceptions expanding and I’m much more aware of life around me. I find the Dutch very interested in why we would choose to come make a life here. I have a feeling that it will make a difference as I grow my audience!
Gillian, you and William are wonderful role models for all of us who are a bit "afraid" to try something new; to push ourselves to our limits in order to be fulfilled, safe, appreciated, happy. Thanks for being candid, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and embracing change!! LOVES to you and William
Thank you for the support—it means the world. Hearing you reflect on it makes it feel more important than it might for me in the middle of it. That’s a thought I will treasure when the times are lean!!
Glad to see how well you’re integrating in the Netherlands! You’re really on the right track, taking great initiatives. I can confirm that being accepted — even as a volunteer — as a foreigner and in such a short time is quite an achievement! You’ve even inspired me to write about my own time in the Netherlands, waking up to the sound of seagulls!
Thank you so! As heavy as some of it is to handle, everything seems to be going very well. I can’t wait to read your reflections on living here—those seagulls are something else!!
Thanks for the shoutout! It’s a little thrill to be mentioned in any bookshop-related context. If I’m in The Hague, I’ll pop into your bookshop and say hello!
This was really enjoyable and now I realise I need (or rather, want!) to go back into your 'Immigrant Hagelslag' archive to find out more about your move - the whys, hows, etc. I always find these stories fascinating.
And well done you on the language progress and getting a job. I'm in awe, truly. As a long-time English/long-time lousy language learner (I love making excuses), I'm so inspired by stories like this. I did sort of look around for similarish jobs in Vienna (with my near zero German) but with little luck.
Why thank you my friend! I hope you’ll enjoy. I’ll send you a few key ones to check out!
As much progress as I make, fluency still feels far off. At least I’m getting comfortable making mistakes and continuing to speak anyway…
I’m so curious what the Dutch think of America and our buffoonery.
Credit to the Dutch directness, many people ask why we moved here. Some emphasize Netherlands over other countries, others suggesting why would I want to leave America. If I say America felt dangerous, they get it. When I say we wanted a new life, most nod with a somber smile. But then there are still a few who dream of the land of Chipotle and Raising Caine’s…
haha I totally relate to aiming too high with my sentence construction-- sometimes I'll start a complicated story and halfway through just half to give up. How cool you have a job! That will be great for immersion and I'm sure you'll get good material for writing as well. looking forward to reading more
It’s the difficulty of knowing enough to be dangerously but not quite enough to fully express yourself! The job is exactly that—a small income but mostly the experience and yes, good stories to come!!
Ahhh so now I know why we haven't been hearing from you as much! That's so neat that they offered you a job! How did it come about? And great that it's part time so you still have time for Substack and your books.
Funny, I just started a paid part time gig too!
Yeah, eight hours on the sales floor has been an adjustment in many ways! I was looking for anything books adjacent and interviewed within a few days of applying. It is just the right balance to help me keep writing and get some income for the Dutch to tax 😂
Ooh—hope yours doesn’t involve wrapping presents!!
"Books adjacent" 🤣 love it!
And no, no present wrapping, but I can top you: I spent all last week writing about asbestos! 😭
Hopefully not advertising 😂😬
Imagine 🤣🤣
Also, 👏👏👏 on your language progress!!
Dank je wel!
Thanks for sharing your journey! I'm happy for you that things are going smoothly, and especially that you feel embraced as a family ❤️
I am curious (and don't feel compelled to answer) whether you sense any resentment toward USers or issues around gentrification? I've seen a few pieces about Amsterdam and overtourism, but not displacement or outpricing.
I’ve been reflecting on this and plan to write my take on it soon, but here there are a few different words that describe types of foreigners. The term I hear is “buitenlanders” which means people from outside. In my experience, if you choose to embrace and adapt to Dutch culture you can be from somewhere else but not be an outsider.
It’s fascinating in terms of the ways it excludes classes and races, most assuredly; however, to me it seems as though Dutch society is much less divided by race than income. And income is not predetermined by race because of the legacy and lessons learned from the years as a culture of slave traders.
Interesting. I look forward to reading your take. I'm from NY, where the Dutch immigrant influence was very strong.
Returning for more once I'm done my shift, Gillian, but this causes a couple of ideas to surface for me. There is a strange kind of anonymity to living abroad . . . Do you think it helps when it comes to explaining your writing to people. I find "host countries" far more interested in what a writer from another country has to say. Is this true in Holland as well?
Interesting—I definitely feel my own perceptions expanding and I’m much more aware of life around me. I find the Dutch very interested in why we would choose to come make a life here. I have a feeling that it will make a difference as I grow my audience!
Gillian, you and William are wonderful role models for all of us who are a bit "afraid" to try something new; to push ourselves to our limits in order to be fulfilled, safe, appreciated, happy. Thanks for being candid, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and embracing change!! LOVES to you and William
Thank you for the support—it means the world. Hearing you reflect on it makes it feel more important than it might for me in the middle of it. That’s a thought I will treasure when the times are lean!!
And I love that you got a part time job and are all in with life in your new country!
Trying!! Stepping back to look at all of it really helped me see how far we have come…which is helpful considering how much further we have to go!
I so want that sloth phone case. 😀
Done!
Dank je voor de warme advertentie! Ik hou van ons en van deze geweldige reis. Je bent fenomenaal.
<3 This post about progress and settling in a new country made me very happy.
Not quite as happy as your comment made me! Thank you for the support my friend!
Glad to see how well you’re integrating in the Netherlands! You’re really on the right track, taking great initiatives. I can confirm that being accepted — even as a volunteer — as a foreigner and in such a short time is quite an achievement! You’ve even inspired me to write about my own time in the Netherlands, waking up to the sound of seagulls!
Thank you so! As heavy as some of it is to handle, everything seems to be going very well. I can’t wait to read your reflections on living here—those seagulls are something else!!
Thanks for the shoutout! It’s a little thrill to be mentioned in any bookshop-related context. If I’m in The Hague, I’ll pop into your bookshop and say hello!
But of course—I can see your shop in my mind already! And you absolutely must if you’re in the hood 😎🥰