There are things that I am still undecided whether I should pursue or just leave hanging. First of all, there is the Integration Program which I have not completed because my level of Dutch has not reached the minimum yet. I passed reading, writing, speaking but was quite unfortunate not to pass the listening test. In this country, if you came as a partner of a Dutch citizen you have to attend these Dutch language classes and seminars as part of the requirements of holding a residence permit. It is compulsory even if I already have a good job and pay taxes. I am not even on welfare and they still force me to attend these (stupid) seminars. But anyways, I want to keep the mood of this blog as calm and wholesome as possible that is why I have been trying to be quiet about this. But yes, to be honest this is one of the main reasons I got turned off from living in this country. I am sorry but the good things I have discovered in this country has been overshadowed by this hard fact that I have to go through these kinds of annoying stuff. The government social worker we met earlier advised me that I should take the nationwide dutch language test which she thinks I have a good chance of passing plus these tests can be taken more than once. I really am not fond of tests at this point. I was fortunate to not ever have to take a board exam for my profession so why do I have to take a test just to live in a country when I know I have other countries to choose from (to be frank). I immigrated alone to the U.S. when I was 24 and somehow, I feel that I’ve already done so much of the conforming and adapting part not to mention the hardwork involved in getting yourself integrated into society but at this point I am not the same anymore and my energy level is no longer the same as it was when I left the Philippines to jump hurdles like these. I know I am not really that old but attending night school is not really something I want to do now in my life. I have other plans and dreams that do not involve 3-5 years learning a language just to be part of society. It is a slow and tiring process which may be okay for some but not to me at this point. Two years ago, I came here to be with my then Dutch fiance and that is the only reason I am still here now. Unlike other people, I did not come here for economic reasons or for asylum.
Another thing hanging is the fact that I passed the driving theory test and that is only good for one year. I have been driving since I was 20 years old both in the Philippines and the US and here I could not even drive at all because believe me it is not that easy to pass the theory test and after that you can’t even take the practical test immediately. They want you to take driving lessons all over again and they cost a fortune (average is 40 Euros per hour) and I have heard horror stories from others who had experiences with these driving instructors deliberately preventing them from actually taking the test by making them less confident during the lessons and not giving the recommendation to take the practical test just because they can suck the money out of you because you have no choice thinking that you have already invested so much in it. Here you cannot do practices with someone who has a license, you must be accompanied by a driving instructor. It costs a lot of money to get a drivers license and many people fail it so many times before they even get one.
Since we are leaving the country I don’t see myself now even trying for this. But still I may try to consider this when I have enough free time and psychologically ready to undergo it. Even then, if we don’t end up staying in the Philippines, we will come back here just to regroup and make plans to move either to the U.S. or Canada.
And also, by the way, I would like share an article I accidentally found lately which deeply bothered me. I hope this would enlighten anyone who might be considering a move here or another country similar to this. Please read the following: Is “accent” a form of racism?
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1 response so far ↓
1 rob // Apr 6, 2008 at 10:07 pm
That sounds tough.It definitely appears like life in the Netherlands is more difficult for foreigners, and it sounds like an unfriendly country for outsiders where you need a thick skin in order to survive.
I remember that in Singapore, residents there need to pass a minimum level of physical fitness mandated by the government. And in Japan, they have different signs in the arrival section of the airport meant for native Japanese and visitors: the Japanese sign says “Welcome Home” while the sign for visitors in English says “Welcome to Japan”. A slight difference which makes a big difference.
I wonder if foreigners living in the Philippines also find any of our requirements or laws unfriendly.
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