From the Netherlands to Canada: Reconnecting with Home

Looking back on living in Canada for over a decade this month, I realized something I had unintentionally overlooked—the mismatch between my Dutch mindset and the Canadian corporate culture. Feeling homesick, I followed my heart and booked a last-minute trip to the Netherlands.

Returning to the Netherlands felt like going back to my roots, my true “home.” This trip was more than just a vacation; it was a long-awaited reunion after the challenging days of COVID. My last trip was just before the pandemic, and while I’d been scheduled to fly home every year during Covid, it never happened. Finally, going back, reminded me of the enduring power of human connections, no matter how far apart we may be.

Home, again

After a week of catching up and enjoying the comforting familiarities, it was time to go “home” once again. After boarding for my return flight and while enjoying the pre-departure bubbles, I couldn’t ignore that same feeling of going “home”, but this time to Vancouver, Canada. Our h…