Moving to the Netherlands Changed Me / My first Year as an Expat Mom

Seven years ago, my husband and I packed our lives into four suitcases, and moved from South Africa to the Netherlands with our two daughters. This video is about that first year. Not the practical side of moving abroad - but what it actually felt like. As an expat mom, I experienced excitement, homesickness, loneliness, self-doubt and moments when I wondered whether we'd made the right decision. I also discovered unexpected joy in quiet bike rides, museums, parks and the simple rhythm of everyday Dutch life. The Netherlands didn't feel like home overnight. It became home slowly. This is the first chapter of our family story. We've now been living in the Netherlands for seven years and I have so much more to share, from the challenges to the beautiful moments that completely changed the way I see life. If you're an expat dreaming of moving abroad or simply curious about what life in the Netherlands is really like, I hope this story reminds you that you are not alone. Thank you for being here. Subscribe to Scout and Story as I continue sharing my journey, one story at a time.