Written by Prathamesh Patil
The fascination of exploring different countries and experiencing cultures has always been an inspiration. After starting my career in India, I got an opportunity to work in the Netherlands with the NekstIT team. I was excited to work on this new assignment.
Welcome to the Netherlands!
I received a warm welcome from my colleagues when I arrived in September 2022. Thanks to careful planning and efficient execution, everything from my registration to setting up my workspace was well managed.
India Versus Holland
The Netherlands is a beautiful country with a variety of mesmerizing landscapes. The colourful buildings, streets with bikes, windmills, museums, canals, and exquisite architecture is very pleasing. The weather is cold and windy compared to warm temperatures in my native place.
The people here are practical, punctual, and friendly. I liked the gift-giving culture to appreciate efforts and celebrate special occasions. The gifts are very thoughtful like an electric blanket to tackle the winter. I miss the spicy Indian food but getting along with my cooking skills. Slowly I am getting accustomed to the Dutch way of living.
Starting This Nekst Adventure
Settling down into my new routine, I started with my project. Adjusting to a new work culture can be challenging, but this was a comfortable start. I thought there would be a language barrier, but everything was good with English. I need to start learning Dutch to help me socialize a bit more comfortably.
Previously in India, I had worked on projects with vertical hierarchy. There were many approvals needed to make a change or improve a process. This process required more time and lacked transparency. In the Netherlands, it was a new experience with direct interaction with clients and business users. This has improved my decision-making ability and furnished professional growth. All the solutions provided by me were well-considered and implemented.
Work for Excellence, Keep Learning and Party Hard!
Besides working, I also enjoy the team parties, to celebrate our achievements. I have met many special and talented people and I look forward to the future, which will undoubtedly contain many great challenges and lots of fun during my Nekst adventure.
