Where do you live and what do you love about it?
I’m originally from Aruba, in the Caribbean islands, and have lived in Rotterdam since 2019, in fact I came here to study. What I love most is the city’s energy and diversity. Living in Katendrecht still gives me that feeling of actually living in a place that inspires me.
What’s your job or business?
I run Be Your Brand Consulting, helping professionals and entrepreneurs with positioning, personal branding, LinkedIn, storytelling and content strategy. I also help build Bottega da Dome, our artisanal tiramisù business, and collaborate with Going Expat.
Your first time in the Netherlands what stood out?
I visited in April 2019 with my father to explore universities. After seeing several cities, stepping out of Rotterdam Centraal felt like love at first sight. Sharing that moment with my father made the trip even more special. He has always been very supportive of me and my ambitions, and he was willing to invest the time and resources to travel with me so I could make the right decision for myself and my future career Rotterdam also ended up being my favourite choice because the university offered a study program that suited me best
What is the nicest thing about the Netherlands? How does this compare to your country?
Aruba and the Netherlands are very different in almost every way, although we do share the Dutch educational system. I appreciate how organised and well structured everything is in NL. I love the independence of walking, cycling and using public transport. Aruba has warmth, beaches and relaxed vibes, but the Netherlands gives me mobility and structure I didn’t have before.
Biggest pet peeve besides the weather?
Dutch lunch culture. I’m used to warm, varied meals, so the bread and cheese routine still surprises me. I’ve even gone home hungry from events because I assumed food would be part of the hospitality. I do not think Dutch people are bad hosts at all, I have been welcomed wonderfully by many Dutch friends. Food simply seems to play a different role here. I am used to warm, varied meals, whereas a typical Dutch lunch can be bread with cheese, crackers or something quick and practical.
Do you have Dutch friends? How do you meet them?
Yes, mostly from university, work and networking events. A few of my international friends also have Dutch partners, so that has naturally brought more Dutch people into my social circle. I enjoy spending time with them, but deeper friendships take longer to build because of cultural differences.
What do you like and dislike about Dutch people? What don’t you like?
I appreciate their clarity, punctuality and directness. Coming from a culture where people can sometimes avoid difficult conversations or leave things unclear, I have learned to value that directness, although it can still feel blunt. What’s harder is the closed social circles and occasional comments or inside-jokes that feel excluding. Aruba is very multicultural, and I grew up in an environment where people from different backgrounds naturally mixed and were welcomed into the group. That openness is something I sometimes miss here. And when I try to speak Dutch, people often switch to English, which makes practicing harder.
Best advice for new expats to make friends?
Put yourself out there. Go to events alone sometimes because it pushes you to talk to people. Use social media to connect and stay open to friendships outside your home country circle.
What’s your favourite Dutch store?
HEMA. Affordable, good quality and easy to walk into and leave with things you didn’t plan to buy. I furnished most of my first apartment there. I also like that some locations have a café or lunch area. To me, HEMA feels a little like a more compact and accessible version of IKEA, except it is much easier to casually walk in.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in your city?
Rotterdam has so many good restaurants that it is difficult to choose only one. I am generally drawn to Caribbean and Asian food, especially when I want something comforting or familiar.
One place I regularly return to is Wok Express in Rotterdam’s city centre. It is a small, casual restaurant serving Asian and Surinamese dishes.
What do you like to do on the weekends?
My weekends are usually a balance between socializing and slowing down. Saturdays are my day to go out, attend an event, meet friends or try a new restaurant. My schedule can be quite intense because of my freelance work .Saturdays are for going out, events or restaurants. Sundays are sacred for staying home, recharging and organising for the week. In summer, I love walking around Katendrecht.
Who is your favorite Dutch historical, cultural or famous person?
It is difficult to chose between Van Gogh and Rembrandt. My mother used to play Baby Einstein videos for me, and I remember seeing Van Gogh’s paintings in them. Growing up in Aruba, there was a well-known place called Café Rembrandt, so his name was already familiar to me before I knew much about the artist himself. When I visited Leiden for the first time and discovered that it was his birthplace, I suddenly saw his name and history everywhere. I grew up hearing their names, so visiting their museums and cities felt meaningful.
What would you recommend a visitor to do and see in your city and in general in the Netherlands?
Walk from Rotterdam Centraal to Blaak, then to Willemsbrug and Kop van Zuid. Walking helps understand different neighborhoods, architecture, and atmosphere. I save the Santa Claus statue for last, telling visitors it’s a surprise, which always gets a laugh.
In the Netherlands, explore Zaanse Schans, The Hague, Scheveningen and Utrecht.
What is your favorite Dutch food? And what Dutch food do you dislike?
I enjoy almost any savory Dutch food involving worst. On the sweeter side, poffertjes have my heart, and I also like Dutch pancakes. I once went on the Pannenkoekenboot for unlimited pancakes and had too many, so I avoided pancakes for a while. When on the go, I might eat a frikandelbroodje or fries from Bram Ladage. My controversial choice is bitterballen, I’ve tried them but don’t like them. When I’m at a borrel, I prefer kroket, kaassoufflé or sausages and usually skip the bitterballen.
Do you celebrate Dutch holidays? Which one is your favorite?
I don’t usually celebrate Dutch holidays, except Sinterklaas from childhood in Aruba, where Dutch traditions are part of our life. I’ve experienced Koningsdag in the Netherlands but never joined the big celebrations. Still, I enjoy the atmosphere though, seeing people in orange, crowded streets, the nationwide celebration.
Best kept secret in Rotterdam?
Historic Delfshaven. A beautiful, overlooked area that shows Rotterdam’s historic side.
Looking back, what do you wish you knew before you moved to the Netherlands?
How attached I’d become to the Netherlands. Rotterdam shaped me and gave me independence and opportunities. I also wish I knew how important mindset is when living abroad. You should do your research and be realistic before moving to know what to expect. You might find the country unsuitable or, like me, love it more than anticipated
What are one or two things you recommend to new expats here in the Netherlands?
Learn the Dutch systems early and explore beyond your routine. The Netherlands is well-organised, but understanding how to navigate it makes it easier to appreciate. Walk your neighbourhood, visit different cities and discover the country’s variety.
Thanks for the interview Isabella!
Interviewed by Rossella Davì