Living in a foreign country is never easy. You’re always encountering new habits, norms and values that are entirely different from your own. Getting used to a new culture is no joke. But, the culture shock you will experience is directly proportional to the distance between the country’s culture and your own. While they can be overwhelming, it is also fun to experience these differences. Here’s a list of some culture shocks I experienced as an Indian student in the Netherlands.

#1 Biking as a means of primary transport (for everything)

It’s a world-known fact that Dutchies primarily commute on bikes. However, what came as a greater shock was that they use bikes to commute EVERYTHING!!! I’m talking chairs, sofas, fridges, suitcases, and even other humans and pets! They have special bikes called ‘Bakfiets’ which have a big cargo space in the front.

Honestly, I was more impressed than shocked at this sight. I get it- it’s efficient, environmentally friendly and fun!

#2 The Dutch attitude towards the rain

Where I come from, people seek shelter at the very first sight of rain. Not so much in the Netherlands– instead the Dutch put on a rain jacket and carry on as if nothing has happened. For those of us who complain about going out in the rain, the Dutch have a go-to saying: “je bent toch niet van suiker” (you’re not made of sugar i.e. you’re not going to melt), which, to be perfectly honest, is a fair response.

Side note: an umbrella is a rare sighting in the Netherlands since they are kind of useless in the Dutch winds.

#3 The concept of ‘Tikkie’

We’ve all heard the saying “going Dutch”. This saying in the Netherlands truly comes to fruition as they like to be very precise about splitting the costs and paying for whatever they order. To be honest, I love this practice! As soon as you’re back home from an outing, you get sent what is called a “Tikkie” along with a bill for the outing. Tikkie lets you pay your share directly to the person who paid the bill.

#4 Everything closes at 18:00

I really appreciate the healthy working hours in the Netherlands, as many shops seem to close fairly early, relative to where I am from. That doesn’t take away from the fact that this was quite a shock for me, especially when I caught the flu in my early days in Groningen, and wasn’t able to go to a drugstore to get an OTC medicine, because it closed at 18:00 and I was staying in a suburban area.

#5 Speaking of 18:00

A relatively minor shock was the usage of the 24-hour clock system in the Netherlands, as opposed to the 12-hour system used where I come from. This threw me in a loop for the first couple of weeks.

#6 Early Dinner

Imagine my shock, as a Southeast Asian, when my Dutch friends invited me for dinner at 17:00! Apparently, the Dutch like to be done with dinner well before 20:00 (the usual dinner time for a non-European like me). If I lived on this schedule, I’d be starving again at 22:00.

#7 Active Senior Population

In my country, I don’t usually see Senior Citizens being actively involved in athletic sports, so it was a breath of fresh air to see the older population in the Netherlands being super active! I was pleasantly surprised to see teams of Senior Dutchies rowing away on a random summer evening.

When I get old, I’d love to be like them!

Dealing with these cultural differences has tremendously enriched my experience as an international student in the Netherlands. While the initial culture shock can sometimes be overwhelming, it is through these experiences that I grew and learned the most. So, to all the incoming students starting a similar journey, I encourage you to keep an open mind, embrace the unfamiliar, and enjoy the adventure. The memories and lessons you gain will be priceless.

Happy moving!