I was happy and comfortable living my life in the Philippines. Working abroad never really crossed my mind until 2023, when I realized that my responsibilities were growing - my parents are getting older, and my nephew and niece are growing up so fast. Providing for their basic needs was becoming more challenging.

Considering a job abroad meant being ready to leave my family, friends, and my comfort zone behind. I was also hesitant to give up my career as a failure analysis engineer because I am more than proud to be one.

Ampleon in the Netherlands gave me an opportunity to fulfill both my responsibilities to my family and continue my career - a win-win. I also saw this as a chance to discover and explore what the Netherlands could offer me for personal growth. One thing that stands out is the Netherlands' strong work-life balance. I no longer have to take calls at 1:00 AM or make reports over the weekend.

In my opinion, I didn’t just follow the Dutch culture - I embraced it. The Dutch culture feels very "human" to me. I would describe it as having the highest respect for every individual. They respect your time, skills, talents, and opinions. They support you when your ideas make sense and correct you when they don’t - and that’s essential when you want to grow.

To adapt, you have to stay open-minded and make an effort to connect with people. This way, you’ll understand them - and they’ll understand you. Misunderstandings due to language barriers may happen, but that’s an opportunity to improve your communication skills.

One advantage at Ampleon is that it’s a multicultural company. You can always talk to colleagues from different nationalities and learn from their experiences. They’re more than happy to guide you.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and entertain yourself.

I was a team leader, facilitator, and advocate in my previous job. I was used to collaborating, delegating, and planning tasks with others. Now, I handle everything from start to finish. I’ve had to adapt my skills to the tools available. By the end of each completed project, I feel accomplished and fulfilled. This new experience has enhanced my analytical skills, planning, and approaches. I’ve learned to trust myself more and become more confident.

Back in the Philippines, life was spontaneous and social - lunch, dinner, movies, church, badminton - everything could be arranged on the spot. I was always surrounded by active, noisy people. In the Netherlands, it’s a different game. If you can’t find friends right away, you have to entertain yourself. I don’t watch TV, but I stay busy with house chores, preparing for the next season, drawing, joining a sports club, or picking up new hobbies like biking.

Drawings of Renald Dechino

My journey wasn’t easy. I had doubts and fears and came close to giving up. But I stayed focused on my objectives - why I chose Ampleon Netherlands. I gave it time, and time gave me answers. I realized this journey made me more goal-oriented, stronger, flexible to changes, and more independent.

At work, I learned that you can teach an old dog new tricks. At 42, I’m surprised that I’m still learning new things and acquiring new skills. This keeps me motivated and pushes me to do my best.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to start over. Don’t be afraid of change. Instead, be excited and embrace the new life. Life in the Netherlands offers more opportunities for a better future.

(Shallow joke) Yes - when everyone around me starts speaking Dutch. But I usually laugh it off. That’s just my way.

There’s a difference between my culture and Dutch culture, both personally and professionally. However, I never feel like I need to "fit in" or "not fit in." At work, I focus on my goals and objectives. The pressure lies in how I deliver results - and I think that’s normal, no matter where you are.

This was one of my biggest struggles. With Dutch directness, I sometimes couldn’t tell the difference between serious comments and jokes. I would get lost in translation and miss the message. I am used to politeness - it helps me recognize when something is serious and deserves my full attention.

The Philippines is an archipelago with nine major dialects. We share different backgrounds, values, cultures, norms, strengths and weaknesses but we were able to work as a team towards the common goals. It is no different at all. I think, the challenge for me, is how to cope up with them. I am still learning and trying to be an expert.

Since I recently purchased an apartment in Nijmegen, I feel more at home here. The Philippines now feels like my holiday home.

If I had the chance, I wish I moved to the Netherlands earlier. Being here has made my dreams a reality - supporting my family, exploring new things, and most importantly, becoming the best version of myself.