A Tale of 2 Expats - Unpacking Life in Amsterdam with Monica and John

Worlds Collide The Podcast about moving abroad

In this invigorating episode of Worlds Collide, join me as I welcome Monica and John, who recently traded the familiar streets of Portland, Oregon, for the charming canals of Amsterdam. Just six weeks into their Dutch journey, they share the thrills of their transition, the nuances of navigating a new country, and the excitement of embracing the Dutch way of life.

Monica, an innovative writing coach, and John, a software engineer, dive into their decision to move under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty visa, which allows Monica to spearhead her business in the Netherlands. They recount the initial hurdles of settling in, while battling the local germs to the simplicity and challenges of their new Life in Amsterdam.

The couple also offers a candid look at the cultural differences they've encountered, including the Dutch directness and the nation's love for bicycles. They share their strategies for building a social circle in a new city, utilizing platforms like Facebook groups and Bumble BFF, and the unexpected connections that arise from being open and proactive.

While they express a deep appreciation for the safety and community-oriented lifestyle in Amsterdam, they also touch on what they miss from back home, giving us a balanced perspective on expat life.

If you've ever considered a move to the Netherlands, are curious about the realities of starting over in a new country, or simply enjoy tales of cultural exploration, this episode is a must-listen. For more stories of bold moves and cultural curiosity, reach out to us at [e-mail], or join the conversation on Instagram @worldscollidepod. And don't forget to follow us for more inspiring content on TikTok and Threads.

Support Worlds Collide by leaving a five-star review, and tune in next week for another episode that bridges the gap between cultures. Until then, keep seeking the world's hidden gems—one story at a time.

Keywords: Netherlands, Holland, Amsterdam, Expat Life, Dutch American Friendship Treaty, DAFT Visa, Cultural Differences, Biking Culture, Social Integration, Entrepreneurship, Software Engineering, Moving Abroad, Community, Adjustment, Networking, International Living, Adventure, Cultural Exploration, Expat Challenges, Settling In, Dutch Directness, Safety, Quality of Life, Work Culture, American Expats, Personal Growth, Dutch Language Learning, Housing Market, Moving Abroad with Cats, Living Abroad, Living in Amsterdam

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

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📋 Episode Chapters

(00:00) Why don't you leave me a five star rating on iTunes or Spotify

(01:11) John and Monica moved to Amsterdam a few weeks ago

(01:48) Monica and John from the United States are calling from Amsterdam

(03:15) Monica moved from California to Oregon to start a writing business

(05:56) Okay, so, um, tell me a little bit more about the visa

(09:04) Why did you guys decide on Amsterdam for so many reasons

(11:17) So how long were you thinking about moving abroad? Because you just said

(14:45) So what has been your experience so far? How was settling in Amsterdam

(18:45) You got the apartment and everything settled in, what else did you have to take care of

(22:35) How did you meet people through Facebook groups and Bumblebeeff

(24:44) I tried to write letters to our neighbors to, like, try to get neighbors

(27:06) M John, is the application process different in the Netherlands than in the US

(28:51) Have you guys figured out the difference between Netherlands and Holland

(30:17) Is there anything cliche that you like about living in Europe

(35:28) I think some people are scared of change. I think that's like the opposite of us

(35:56) Is there anything that you miss about America that you don't miss

(38:43) What is the vacation time in the Netherlands? Five weeks? Maybe 2025 days

(41:33) Are you planning on visiting your family soon? Maybe your family will

(44:38) So do you feel like already, uh, settling is almost done

(46:12) All right. I think, um, I got most of my questions answered

(46:52) Okay, so now, I did a little bit of research on Netherlands and Holland

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