After about two years spent in The Netherlands I can say
that I’ve learned several lessons:
1. As long as you are not really stupid, how
intelligent you are does not really matter in the output of your work (mainly
academic). What actually counts is how much work you put in. In brief, as long
as one’s IQ is at least average, then it is not about who is smarter, but about
who sweats more.
2. Related to the previous point, it is impossible
to make big jumps. In brief, everything is taken step by step and each progress
is incremental.
3. It’s OK to be different; everyone is different
in a different way.
4. As an Eastern European, I thought that the
westerners are more civilized, but this is not true. People in themselves are
not more civilized. They behave in a civilized manner mostly because the environment
(in a broad sense) is shaped in a way that guides behavior towards a desired
one.
5. Related to the previous point, civilized
behavior in not an individual choice, it is imposed as the only choice.
6. Truly cherish sun light, sunny days and good
weather!
7. Although I thought it was impossible, tall and
large buildings can be built on sand (sandy soil).
8. The best beer in The Netherlands is in fact Belgian;
same with the chocolate.
9. Cherish the vegetables that actually taste like
vegetables!
10. For me Romanian women are the most beautiful ones (particularly my wife :) )
