14th of January 2010, in the middle of the winter, I arrived back in the Netherlands not as a tourist but as a prospective resident. Along with me is a passport stickered with a brand new visa called MVV (short for Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) or Provisional Residence Permit. How I was able to obtain this visa is a totally different story that I prefer not to elaborate on for two reasons. One: the steps and procedures are better explained in the immigration website of the Netherlands and two: tons of people have blogged about this before that I don’t anymore have the enthusiasm to reiterate them. Although, based on my experience, I could share one or two deviations from the normal paradigm.
A little walk down memory lane. As soon as I came back from a short three-month holiday of getting to know Manuel’s family and friends, the country and the Dutch culture, I vigorously started with the bigger-than-life migrating procedure. Immediately, I took the Dutch Civic Integration Exam or Inburgeringsexamen. Upon passing, I submitted all my papers to my boyfriend, who was already based here in the Netherlands, so he can forward both our documents to the authorities. After a staggering span of 7 days, we received the approval of the immigration office saying that I have a positive chance of acquiring the visa. This waiting period would normally take 3 weeks to a couple of months and to our surprise, ours took only 7 days (which we thought we owed to our “lovely photos” as a proof of relationship). A couple of weeks later, I already had my visa on hand and this happened before Christmas 2009 which was one of the best. We booked my ticket for January 14, 2010 for the reason that I would like to spend my father’s birthday at home still with my family. January 14 it was.
The first couple of weeks were again full of paperwork: my verblijfsvergunning (residence permit), verzekering (insurance) and inburgeringstraject (integration program). All of them were significant in keeping my feet on the ground (on the Dutch ground, to be exact). It was also full of excitement knowing that we were trying to fulfil a series of important events in our lives together as a Dutch-expat couple. I remember one of my best friends telling me that immigration processes are critical and will take a lot from both participants. But we never really felt too stressed aside from a couple of eyebrow-raising moments. And aside from me being so overly obsessive compulsive, I believe that Manuel’s chill and relaxed character pulled us through quite easily.
Soon enough, we got everything fixed. I have a one-year work and resident permit which would be automatically extended to a five-year one (I suppose, unless our relationship is over, or I go against common laws). My insurance is covered (and I can literally get sick). And I became a student of the city college to learn Dutch as a Second Language. Just like a puzzle, everything fitted perfectly.
We celebrated February 14 not because it’s Valentine’s Day but it was my first month as a resident. I received my Uittreksel uit de Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie- my personal records being a resident of Den Bosch city. It stated my personal information and social security number which is regarded as the number one form of identity here in the Netherlands.
While having the zeal and passion for learning the Dutch language, there was an intense vulnerability to spending. Then there was the thought of earning some Euros of my own. I had the opportunity to become a full fledged babysitter of the most adorable children in our neighbourhood. Just like a diabetic getting a boost of insulin, I was so happily surrounded with kids. It was harder than I thought but the experience was definitely rewarding. So my life during these weeks was like that of a 16-year-old: a little time for school, a little time for work and a little time for fun.
Mid of March, an email was sent to me coming from a head hunter. He said that looking at my online CV, he perceives me as a qualified candidate for a certain role at a multinational biotech company. I was invited for an interview. I was battling between the need to focus with my studies and the thrill of marketing myself for employment. But then I thought to myself, practice makes perfect. I could definitely use this chance to ‘perfect’ my interview skills and be more than prepared for when I need it. I went to the interview with an objective of still making a good impression while learning from the experience. The next thing I know, the company’s human resource agent was setting me up for another appointment. Like a puppy, I just followed the smell to where it leads me. The interview again went appealing to them and I was up for the next, and until then, the final round. The first two executives had to make me dig dipper into the technical and scientific parts of the interview process. But the last one and the so-called Big Boss or executive director engaged me into a more interesting social interview.
As I was walking past the reception area on the way out, my head hunter called me up requesting me to return to the office. The moment was a bit clear to me; it could be what I wanted to hear. I could smell the spring and feel the sunlight on my skin as it all happened when the head hunter told me that right at that last interview, I got hired. This wonderfully happened a few days after my 26th birthday, which was also one of the best. Now would only be a week away from my start date working again and earning what I could say is breakfast, lunch and dinner.
All of these took place within this year’s and my whole life’s quarter. And I could say life is getting better than ever.
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