From South Africa to FrieslandCampina: How Herno Built a New Life in the Netherlands

For that reason, FrieslandCampina looked beyond the Dutch labor market. International recruitment was increasingly becoming a viable solution. However, that decision also raised some important questions. Would a candidate be a good fit within the team? How significant would the cultural differences be? And how quickly would someone find their way within the organization?

An Instant Connection from the Very First Introduction

Those concerns quickly disappeared during the first conversations with Herno: “The connection was there almost immediately. After a few conversations, we both had a good feeling about working together,” says Gert. The feeling was mutual. For Herno, it was the personal approach that stood out the most. “The first contact was very positive. It felt personal and supportive. The entire process was explained clearly, so I knew exactly what to expect throughout every step of the journey.”

What followed was a process centered around speed, transparency, and personal support.

An international career move involves much more than signing a contract. There are practical matters to arrange, all while adapting to a new country, a new environment, and a new employer. According to Herno, the support he received during this period made all the difference.

“Yes helped me with my visa, arranged an apartment, and even picked me up from Schiphol Airport. That allowed me to focus entirely on my new start,” he says.

By taking care of the practicalities, Herno was able to settle into life in the Netherlands with confidence and concentrate on what mattered most: building his future, both professionally and personally.

The ongoing support also gave him confidence throughout the process: “The guidance is personal and supportive. You receive help whenever you need it, while still being given the freedom to work independently,” says Herno.

This balance between practical assistance and personal autonomy helped him settle into both his new role and his new life in the Netherlands with confidence.

Starting a new job in a new country always comes with challenges. Yet the transition proved to be easier than anticipated: “He fitted into the team right away. Within a few months, he was already speaking Dutch. From a cultural perspective, it was also a great match. Things went well from day one,” says Gert.

For Herno, the biggest challenge was communication. Not because it wasn’t working, but because everyone had to adjust to each other’s language and way of working. “In the beginning, communication was sometimes a small obstacle. But as we got to know each other better, that was quickly resolved. Sometimes we speak English, sometimes Dutch. We learn from each other,” he says.

This process was accelerated by Herno’s proactive efforts to learn the Dutch language: “I took Dutch language courses. They have helped me a lot in the office, allowing me to communicate better with colleagues and collaborate more effectively on projects,” he says.

Growing Both Inside and Outside of Work

For Herno, his work is about more than just technology. What appeals to him most is the combination of solving complex challenges and seeing tangible results: “The work is interesting and technical. You can immediately see the results of what you do,” he says.

This aligns closely with what international professionals often bring to the table, according to Gert.
“You notice that these people are incredibly motivated. They leave their home country to build a future here. You can see that motivation reflected in their work every day,” he says.

Gert has seen that same drive not only in Herno, but also in other technical professionals who joined FrieslandCampina through Yes tech careers. Their commitment, willingness to learn, and determination to succeed have made a valuable contribution to both their teams and the organization as a whole.

According to Gert, this approach is reflected in everything Yes tech careers does. “There is a strong investment in coaching, guidance, and soft skills through the Smart Skills development program. As a result, people don’t just grow technically, they also develop as professionals,” he says.

More than a year after moving to the Netherlands, Herno looks back on his decision with pride: “It’s truly special to live and work here. It’s been an incredible experience,” he says.

Outside of work, Herno increasingly feels at home in the Netherlands as well. When asked what he has come to appreciate most about Dutch life, he doesn’t have to think twice: “Stroopwafels,” he says with a laugh.