Expat and emigration interviews: How did Denise become a world citizen?

Who is Denise?

Denise is truly a world traveller. From spending part of her childhood in Africa and part in the Netherlands to her current role as a deep-sea scientist, she has lived all over the world. Her studies took her to the US, the Netherlands, and the UK, eventually leading her into her current career. Most recently, she moved to Perth, Australia, which now serves as her home base while she travels across the globe for fieldwork and research visits.

What should people know about you to understand your emigration story?

Not much! However, I’ve always been interested in new experiences, different cultures and interacting with people from different backgrounds. I’ve also had quite an international upbringing, so I wasn’t a complete stranger the idea of living in another country than the Netherlands. 

My career also pushed me across boundaries. I am now working as a deep-sea scientist, and there is not much deep sea around the Netherlands. Working in this field therefore naturally had me look across borders for other places to go.

Was there a specific moment or event that inspired you to emigrate?

Emigration for me has not been a dramatic leap but a gradual process, that started during university. I studied in Utrecht and joined University College Utrecht (UCU) which has a very international community before switching to a biology degree.I then did a study abroad programme, and after returning took a gap year as board member for Erasmus Student Network Utrecht, a non-profit student organisation for international students and internationally minded Dutch students. After that, the decision to go and study abroad myself was easy - this is now 10 years ago, and I have not properly moved back to the Netherlands since. I have now lived, studied and worked in the UK, the US and Australia, first to do my MSc and PhD studies, and then for my professional career.

How did you prepare for your emigration to the UK?

When I first moved abroad to study in the UK for my MSc programme and my PhD afterwards, I fortunately had a few friends who had done a similar thing who I could ask for practical advice. And, the UK is not that far from the Netherlands which made it less intimidating.

How did you prepare for your emigration to Australia?

It was a bit different when moving to Australia. It is much further away, and the practical side was bigger with visas, healthcare, taxes, finding a place to live and understanding how employment contracts function. I think I prepared mostly by being flexible and accepting there is only so much you can do beforehand, as some things you can only figure out once you arrive.

What is daily life like in Australia as an expat?

What does your life look like, and what kind of work or activities make you feel truly “at home” in Australia?

My life in Australia is a mix of research, writing, data analysis, and sometimes offshore expeditions.

My daily routine is different from in the Netherlands. The biggest difference is probably the outdoor lifestyle and the sense of space. In Australia, especially in Perth where I live, everything feels more spread out. Distances are bigger, and so having a car is much more necessary. The climate also changes daily life - the sunny climate is a big plus.

Do you already have an idea about the future?

I’ve learned not to plan too rigidly. So far, my life has moved through opportunities and things I’m interested. I would like to keep building a career around deep-sea science, exploration, biodiversity and conservation. Whether that remains in Australia long-term or takes me closer to family in the UK and the Netherlands again I don’t know yet. What I do know is that I want my work to stay international.

What is the culture like in Australia, and how are the social interactions?

What was your first interaction with a local in Australia like? How did it go? Do you have tips for meeting people?

In Australia, people are generally friendly and easy to talk to, especially in casual settings. However, it has not always been easy to build deep friendships. My main tip is to say yes to things early on - it takes time to build a social life and it usually happens through repeated small interactions.

What is the most fun or inspiring aspect of your emigration?

I think that your world becomes much bigger - both in terms of space you covered and mentally. You learn that many things you thought were “normal” are actually linked to the culture you are in. Emigration has given me an international education, career and much broader view of the world.

What is the funniest or most painful misunderstanding you’ve experienced due to language or cultural differences?

Tone and directness… Dutch people can be quite direct, and in my case, that meant that I was used to a different level of directness when receiving feedback or criticism on my work when I first moved to the UK. British people mean something very different when they say things “interesting” or “I see you’ve put effort in this”.

How do locals react to you living and working here?

Mostly with curiosity. When I first moved to the US studying abroad, I received a lot of reactions about where I was from, and what I was doing there. And even though I’ve not lived in the Netherlands for almost 10 years now, my ‘Dutchness’ is still regularly a topic of conversation with new people I meet.

How does friendship here differ from how it is experienced in your home country?

Some of my Dutch friendships go back a long way. Living abroad, especially among other internationals, I felt that friendships can form quite quickly because everybody is building a new life at the same time, but that also often means that international friendships can be quite transient and linked to the context there in. People move again, jobs and visas end etc. But - you end up with friends in many different places.

Did you learn the local language, and if so, how?

In the countries I’ve lived, the main language is English, so I did not have to learn a completely new language. But I did have to learn different versions of English and expressing myself. And even if you speak the language well, communication can still be culturally different, which also takes some getting used to.

What were the challenges of emigrating to different countries?

Were there moments when you doubted your decision to emigrate, or what has been disappointing?

Yes, definitely. Living abroad is exciting, but it also means uncertainty, distance and repeatedly rebuilding your life and starting again with housing, a new social life and a sense of belonging. 

What would you do differently next time, and what advice would you give others with similar emigrationplans?

I would probably be more proactive about building a life outside work from the beginning. When you move for a degree or a job its easy to put all your energy in that, but feeling at home also depends on friendships, hobbies and routines. 

Are there things you appreciate more about your home country now that you are abroad?

Yes, I appreciate the cycling infrastructure, public transport, social systems and how close everything is. The Netherlands is incredibly well organised in many ways

Do you have practical advice for moving to Australia?

How did you find a suitable place in Australia to live? Was it difficult?

In Australia, it was difficult to find a place to live. Rental applications can be competitive, and you often need to attend viewings in person, as well as references, proof of income and several documents ready that you can only arrange once you are there. It helps to arrange temporary accommodation first to buy yourself some time.

Have you developed new hobbies or interests since living in Australia?

I have become more connected to outdoor life. Being in a warmer climate and close to the ocean makes it easier to spend time outside. I also think that living abroad naturally makes you more curious about exploring new things about that place such as landscapes, wildlife etc. I appreciate the Australian connection to outdoor spaces, there is definitely a strong culture of spending time outside.