An adventure of a lifetime
It may sound like a cliché, but I can guarantee you: taking part in an exchange programme to submerse yourself in a totally different culture from your own is really a life-changing opportunity you could not afford to miss. After these six months living in the Netherlands and studying at Erasmus University Rotterdam, I find myself a more mature person: I am more confident in solving problems; I am more skilled in communicating with people; and I am more acceptant and open-minded to new things that come to me in life.
Holland has long been a country that I wish to visit. It is small but strong; it is ethnically diverse yet solid. It is the pioneer in same-sex marriage and the tolerated use of soft drugs. It is even a country that closes down prisons due to a low crime rate. It is simply impossible to list out all the characteristics of the Netherlands that fascinate me in one single article. These were basically the things on my mind when I was choosing the Netherlands as my exchange destination. As for today, I am very happy to say that the Netherlands has not been a disappointment at all. Though challenges do arise from time to time, this country keeps on surprising me with its beautiful culture and wonderful people.
Sinds de middelbare school droomde ik er al van om op exchange naar de Verenigde Staten te gaan. Hollywood films fascineerde mij van jongs af aan, en ik wilde met mijn eigen ogen zien of alles er hetzelfde uitzag zoals in de films; de enorme miljoenensteden, de prachtige landschappen en de overdreven aardige mensen.