My name is Klara Birk. I have been living in Sittard for seven years now. I originally come from Russia, but I moved to the Netherlands from Finland. I came here for love, and thankfully I was able to continue working for the same company from my very first day in the Netherlands.

Over the years I have studied some Dutch and even received my Dutch passport. I now work at Chemelot, where I am based in Building 1.

How would you describe your experience living in the Netherlands?

I find the Netherlands a very friendly and beautiful place to live. I felt welcomed, especially because I had support from my partner and his family.

The only real challenge for me was the language. At home we speak English, and at work I also speak English with colleagues from many different countries. I did not really have a place to practice Dutch regularly, so learning the language has been a slower process.

But overall, I think the Dutch are warm and kind, and the atmosphere here suits me very well.

What was the most difficult thing to get used to?

The Limburg accent and dialect.
When you finally start to understand Dutch, you realize you do not understand anything when someone speaks Limburgs. That was the hardest part for me.

Did Dutch culture surprise you in any way?

Not particularly. I usually spend time with people from different countries, so we simply split the bill in a normal way. I do not have strong cultural shocks like some internationals have with things like receiving a Tikkie.

Is it easy for you to meet Dutch people?

The Dutch are very friendly and open to talk. At work or during lunch you can always have good conversations. But there is a boundary that you usually do not cross.

People here are kind, but they do not quickly become close friends. That is different from Russia, for example. In Finland it was similar, actually even more distant.

For me it is fine. I have a family here, some friends, and that is enough. I do not need twenty close friends to feel comfortable.

How did you hear about the Buddy System?

Through my colleagues at Chemelot. Two buddies, Noor and Nikolaj, work in the same hallway as I do. Before that, years ago, I had never heard of the Buddy System or the Wereldcafé. I do not think they even existed at the time.

Has the Buddy System helped you with integration?

Yes, especially the Wereldcafé. It is the only place where I regularly speak Dutch.

We meet every two weeks, and even one hour of speaking Dutch makes a big difference. We have a small circle of regular visitors, so we know each other, talk about our lives and families, and the atmosphere is very friendly.

It is also easier to speak Dutch there, because the group adapts to each other’s language level.

Would you recommend Buddy System events to other internationals?

Absolutely. These events create a friendly atmosphere and help people feel part of a community. I have met more people through the drinks and events, and I always read the chat. It helps you feel connected.

What advice would you give someone who just moved here?

Start learning the language right away. Do not postpone it. Even if you do not have a lot of time, take small steps.
The more you hear the language, the more you start understanding. Read things you see outside, listen to conversations, learn bit by bit. That is how it grows.

How is living and working in Sittard-Geleen for you?

The region is calm, but nice. Younger people, such as the children of my partner, enjoy carnival and beer festivals. I sometimes hear from colleagues that Geleen is even livelier than Sittard for young people. I cannot say for sure, but that is what I hear.

How does the Dutch work culture compare to other countries you lived in?

Chemelot is considered very international, but when you look at higher management, you still see many Dutch men in dark suits with briefcases.

When our CEO gives a New Year speech, it is in Dutch. So in some ways, the company is more Dutch than people like to say.

Compared to Israel, which is very chaotic, and Finland, which is very calm, the Netherlands feels like a good balance. For me, that is perfect.

What stands out to you about Dutch food culture?

Lunch is very small in the Netherlands. In Russia and Finland, lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day.

Over time I got used to it, and I actually think it is better for work. You are not tired after eating.
Dutch food in general feels a bit similar to German, but lighter. And of course, people here eat very internationally too.

If you could go back to your first months in the Netherlands, what advice would you give yourself?

I think I handled things more or less fine. I would not judge my past self.

What I really love here is the bicycle culture. I cycle to work every day. Cycling one hour per day helped me learn Dutch. I used that time to listen to Dutch podcasts, dialogues, or audiobooks. That is how I learned the language.

So yes, I would tell myself: start small, stay consistent, and make language part of your daily routine.