The challenges I have faced during my second year studying in the Netherlands

My Second year studying in the Netherlands 

In June 2016, I successfully completed the course foundation year for International students (VASVU). In September 2016, I was finally allowed to start with my bachelor's Economics and Business Economics. I was happy and enthusiastic! Expanding my network and making new friends was quite easy because there were many Surinamese students like me who had moved to the Netherlands for their follow-up study, and of course, I also opened up myself to get to know other International students. 

Step by step I got used to the student life in the Netherlands. Life in the Netherlands is very different compared to life in Suriname. Here everything is arranged and about being on time. In the Netherlands, you are bound by strict rules and laws. On the other hand, it took me a long time to get used to the weather. 

In Suriname, I was always a spoiled child. I was brought everywhere by my parents and everything was arranged for me, from doctor's appointments to school enrollments. When I moved here I had to do everything by myself. Fortunately, I am someone with a great adaptability, so I could quickly find my way and get used to everything. Often, I was pretty naive and began procrastinating, like we all do. Fortunately, I have been able to change my mindset quickly. Or, no! I had no choice. I had to! There were times I had to learn things the hard way just like all of us. That is all part of growing up. 

Challenges

In October 2016, I broke my tailbone when I fell off the stairs at home. I was about to go to Amsterdam to attend lectures. I had to take two and a half months to rehabilitate, which meant I could not attend classes. From the beginning, the university offered me a study advisor. So, when there was something I had to deal with which could cause study delay I could always make an appointment to talk about other options. I was then advised to quit my first year and start the next year all over again. I was again confronted with a disappointment. From that moment on it felt like everything was falling apart. I started doubting my decisions, but then again, I always learned that giving up is never an option. 

Since I have been in the Netherlands, I have been working. My first job was at the McDonald’s In Den Helder, where I worked for almost one year. Before, I was a very shy person. I was afraid to speak in public. My job at the McDonald’s helped me to develop my communication skills. After almost a year, I quit my job, because I achieved my goal which was to develop my communication skills and to learn to step out of my comfort zone. 

Three months later, I could finally start with my study. At that time, I was a Hostess at Holland Hostess Service for almost 6 months, which was my favorite job until now. I got the opportunity to host on the largest Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) for Samsung. There I met a lot of people from all over the world, even from my own country, Suriname. I could not combine my host job with my studies so I had to quit my job. 

After a while, I got a job at ZARA, a popular clothing store in Europe. It was a nice experience working for a clothing brand because in the future I also want my own clothing line. The only thing I did not like was that the management did not care at all about the well-being of the employees. After a long time of doubting and thinking, I quit my job at ZARA. I could not take the bad treatment anymore, because at one point I started to feel very unhappy. From the moment on I was doubting about staying or quitting my job at ZARA, I started to apply for other jobs. A few weeks later, I got a new job at a supplier for labels as a contract manager where I had been working until I could start with my study again. It was a great opportunity as I gained great experiences and had a handful of responsibilities. 

My strategy is to observe and analyze the business procedures and management’s behavior in various organizational situations. Afterward, I implement these same organizational and management tactics while also trying to make them my own. Moreover, I intend to better these business tactics to make them more effective and more efficient.