In this compelling episode of Worlds Collide, I sit down with Richard, a tenacious educator who, alongside his family, made the leap from the familiar streets of Austin, Texas to the historic and culturally rich landscapes of the Netherlands. Richard's odyssey began not out of wanderlust, but necessity, as the escalating costs of living in Austin pushed him to seek a life elsewhere – a journey that took him across the ocean to a new home in Breda.

Richard's narrative is not just about the move itself, but the intricate logistics of uprooting a family and establishing roots in a foreign land. Listeners with a curiosity about the Dutch lifestyle, or those contemplating a similar move, will find Richard's insights on navigating the Dutch housing market, the education system, and the DAFT visa – a unique opportunity for Americans starting a business in the Netherlands – particularly valuable.

Throughout the episode, Richard shares the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a new culture, from the intimate cultural nuances like the significance of open curtains in Dutch homes to the broader societal differences he and his family have embraced. His story is a testament to the resilience and growth that come from stepping into the unknown.

For anyone who has ever considered a drastic change in pursuit of a better life, or for those simply fascinated by the courage of those who do, Richard's journey is a beacon of possibility. Tune in to discover how one family's decision to collide with a new world has reshaped their lives, and perhaps, how it could reshape yours.

If you're interested in sharing your own story of moving abroad, reach out to us at [email protected] or connect via Instagram or TikTok. Don't forget to follow the podcast for instant updates on new episodes. Until next time, keep colliding with new worlds and expanding your own horizons.

Daft Visa Info here!

Keywords: Netherlands, Austin Texas, DAFT Visa, Expat Life, Cultural Adaptation, Family Move, International Relocation, Breda, Dutch Culture, Education Abroad, Housing Market, Entrepreneurship, American Expatriates, Cultural Challenges, Work-Life Abroad, Language Barriers, Community Building, Personal Growth, International Living, Embracing Change, Family Move to The Netherlands, Social Benefits in The Netherlands, Moving to Europe, Living Abroad, Interracial Family, Expat Podcast.

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Show notes created by https://headliner.app

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(00:00) World Collide is a podcast where I talk to people who moved abroad

(00:49) This week's episode features a guest from the Netherlands, Richard

(01:53) My guest today is Richard from Breda, Netherlands

(04:10) What brought you to the Netherlands in the first place? So, basically

(06:27) Okay, so, okay, so you are trying to build a house

(09:14) Did you have a place already where you. We did. Um, we found a place before we moved

(11:17) If you are the spouse of a person on daft,

(17:01) I have to teach in Dutch sometimes because I have a local student

(18:25) Making the leap from America to the Netherlands is incredibly scary

(24:01) The Netherlands provide childcare so that your child learns Dutch

(28:01) Even the biggest nationalists sometimes get pushback for trying to learn Dutch

(30:53) There is an expectation that your curtain needs to be open a little

(33:53) I like noticing little things that are different about the Netherlands than the United States

(37:29) How long did it take you to decide to leave the United States

(42:18) The weather here is actually not cold, but it's raining. That is a plus

(45:30) I miss driving, but that's something I need to do better

(48:17) Victoria says learning Dutch is easy when you're surrounded by it

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

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