When Shayant decided to move from Suriname to the Netherlands in 2024, his original plan was clear: to pursue a master’s degree and build an academic future. However, life took a different turn, eventually leading him into a professional IT career and a completely new chapter in the Netherlands.
“I had resigned from my job in Suriname because I was planning to start my studies in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out due to a mistake by the university: they had not submitted my visa application for the correct academic year. Then Rens from Wypoon contacted me with the question of whether I wanted to start my IT career in the Netherlands. I eventually did and decided to go for it. It wasn’t part of my original plan, but it turned out to be the best decision.”
"The ending of my study program actually opened new doors for me."
Shortly after the cancelation of the master’s program, he entered the professional field through Wypoon and found his first project at Nike, where he began building his experience as an IT professional. At the same time, his girlfriend moved to the Netherlands in January, and together they began building a life from scratch.
“The ending of my study program actually opened new doors for me. I can now invest in certifications and courses I really want to do, and build a career at the same time.”
"The support of Wypoon made a big difference during my transition period."
“Looking back, I can say that the support of Wypoon was not only professional, but also personal. They genuinely wanted me to feel at home in my position. I could even discuss practical things like what the best option would be when buying a car, for example. The support made a big difference during my transition period. Even during moments of uncertainty between projects, communication remained open. The team always told me: if something is wrong, just let us know. You should be happy in your place.”
Professionally, I worked across different environments, including an international setting at Nike and later a more Dutch-oriented environment at DICTU. That shift helped me notice clear cultural differences. At Nike it was very international, so I didn’t really feel the Dutch work culture yet. But later I did, people are much more direct. I also noticed differences in communication style, expectations, and openness in feedback. Despite those differences, I appreciated the clarity and structure of the Dutch work environment.
Another important aspect for me was flexibility in my assignments. When I wasn’t happy in my project, I could just say it. And then they actively looked for something new that suited me better.”
Life outside work: building independence in the Netherlands
“In Suriname I lived with my parents, and they always took us under their wing and helped wherever needed. Here, we had to do everything on our own. That made us much more independent. One of the biggest milestones for me and my girlfriend was being able to take steps toward building a stable life together, including eventually purchasing a home in the Netherlands. There is a lot of pride in that, we built this ourselves.”
Advice for future expats
“Prepare yourself mentally. Don’t underestimate what it feels like to move to a new country and starting your life their from scratch. I used to think relocating would be similar to traveling or visiting a new country, but in reality, it is a full life transition. I thought: I’ve been to the Netherlands before, so I know what it’s like. But living here is completely different.”
What Shayant would put on a Dutch tile?
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