In South Africa, the focus is strongly on performance whereas in the Netherlands, greater value is placed on the individual and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“My name is Chris du Preez, I’m 26 years old, and I’m originally from South Africa. In 2022, I moved to the Netherlands, where I now live with my wife. I absolutely love it here!” Chris came to the Netherlands through Yes Tech Careers in search of a new challenge. “I was looking for something new in South Africa and had updated my LinkedIn profile. Shortly after, I received a message from Robert Zweers, one of the founders of Yes tech careers. He offered me a job in the Netherlands. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but before I knew it, I was in an introductory meeting for a new job.”

Chris as a Technical Engineer at Rademaker

“I am responsible for assembling and commissioning food processing lines, both internally and at the customer’s site. The best part is seeing the customer satisfied. Sometimes, I start with the electrical setup, such as connecting cables, and then I test the functionality of the lines. It’s always exciting to see a perfectly made bread roll or pastry come out at the end of the line.”

The job at Rademaker involves a lot of travel. “I get to see many new places, and at the customer’s site, we repeat the process. We ensure that the final product meets their expectations. The best part of my job is when the customer is happy and satisfied. It makes my work so much more enjoyable and easier.”

“Yes tech careers has been a tremendous help,” Chris shares. “From the start, Robert gave me valuable tips about how job interviews work in the Netherlands and what to expect at Rademaker. They arranged everything for me, from my visa and flight tickets to my apartment. When I first arrived in the Netherlands, Robert was even at the airport to pick me up and take me to my new home. He also surprised me with a fantastic Yes tech careers bike—because, of course, you can’t get by in the Netherlands without a bike!”

Yes tech careers also supported Chris with other administrative matters. “They helped me open a bank account and register with the municipality. Even Rademaker was helpful, providing me with a car whenever I needed one.”

Differences between the Netherlands and South Africa

Chris notes significant differences between work cultures in the Netherlands and South Africa. “In South Africa, the work environment is much more performance-driven. If you don’t perform above average, you can quickly run into issues with your employer. Here in the Netherlands, it’s different. Of course, you still need to perform, but there is also a lot of value placed on you as a person. They pay attention to your work-life balance and make sure you are well-integrated, both at work and in the Netherlands.”

Since moving to the Netherlands, Chris has developed many new skills. “I started a two-year leadership course, which has taught me about leadership and soft skills. This has helped me better understand how the Dutch work and think, enabling me to collaborate more smoothly with my colleagues.”

In addition, Chris is working on his Dutch language skills. “Yes arranged language courses for me, which allowed me to improve my Dutch. This not only makes communication with my colleagues easier but also more personal.”

Cultural differences

There are also some cultural differences that stood out to Chris. “Although many South Africans have Dutch ancestry, things work quite differently in the Netherlands. For example, in South Africa, we almost always use cars, whereas here, public transport is widely used. Additionally, the Dutch can sometimes come across as very direct. That took some getting used to at first, but once you realize it’s not a personal attack but simply a cultural difference, it’s perfectly fine.”

Tips for South African tech professionals

Finally, Chris offers advice to South African tech professionals considering a move to the Netherlands. “The most important tip is to set clear goals. The transition can sometimes be challenging, and without a concrete goal, it can be difficult to adapt. I’ve seen many South Africans move back because they found the adjustment too tough. I set a goal for myself: two years in the Netherlands, no matter the difficulties. After those two years, I would decide whether to stay. Fortunately, I’m really enjoying it here!”