As we all know moving even short distances can be as pleasant as a root canal. The more your friends promise to help, the more likely they will be bed-ridden with a deathly virus or out of town; and, checkbooks, car keys, and telephones seem to sprout legs and walk away. The tape, scissors, markers, and screwdriver all know how to play hide n’seek, and whatever it is you need, it is always in the bottom of a box already taped shut.
If moving short distances is like an oh-so-wonderful dental process, then making a move abroad can be like having a medical procedure done and finding out that your insurance only covers a wee fraction of the cost. After reading about ex-pats travels abroad, it is amazing how tenuous their lives seem to be; many can be kicked out at any time, and those that have made a serious commitment and have dug deep roots, can be uprooted at any time. The ironic part of moving abroad is that, in some respect, I will wear the shoes of an immigrant coming from a place where anti-immigration sentiment is as rampant as a bull on uppers.
Upon finishing my serious studies as a graduate student in New York City, I thought that I would take some time out for recreation and make a trans-Atlantic move to the Netherlands. All irony aside, the Netherlands has many superb and deep-rooted cultural traditions and amenities. It is a wonderful place of multi-culturalism, innovation and free-thinking, much like here – only at a slower and more manageable pace of life. New York City is at times akin to the Hadron Collider, cubed.
In all seriousness, the Netherlands is at the fore of environmental and natural resource science and policy advancement, especially in the areas of water and coastal management, and wind-power. I would very much like to develop a fledgling career in environmental policy, especially with respect to wetlands, water, and coastal conservation.
I promise not be too existentialist about coming to the Netherlands. As Woody Allen once said, “I took a test in Existentialism. I left all the answers blank and got a 100.” I am coming for love, to follow my heart and my mind, and I will accept whatever may be. I am ready for the risks, and will certainly bear a root-canal in order to free myself and have a new adventure. After all, I know it will be worth it within the comedy of life. I hope to see you all soon.
by Sam Yellen
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