Curious about the reality of living abroad?

We had a chance to chat with Sorana Constantinescu, GBS Lead for Europe at Inchcape, and enjoy a fascinating insight into the ups and downs of expat life. 

A few things about myself

I am originally from Romania but moved to the Netherlands in 2015. I enjoy travelling, reading and going to concerts. And I love the sun, sea and Controls! I speak four foreign languages, am a certified fraud examiner and have two bicycles in my backyard, which I rarely use.

 I joined Inchcape in 2018. I also started skiing in 2019, right before the COVID lockdown. One of my biggest achievements is using all that time at home during the pandemic to acclimatise lovage (leustean) – an aromatic herb used in Romania for traditional sour soup. It’s now growing in my backyard and is at least two metres high!

Where did you grow up and what brought you to your current city?

I was born and grew up in Constanța, on the Black Sea coast, right by the city’s football stadium. Though it may seem like it, my surname has no relation to my city of birth. Work took me to Utrecht in the Netherlands, close to another football stadium.

I believe we all influence our destiny through the choices we make and the determination we show. Living near a stadium again is no coincidence, as football is an important part of my life. My father played football all his life, was a coach and is still very involved with the local football club in Constanța (Number 1 in the First League last year). I grew up with the noises of the crowd and could recognise the difference between the sound of victory and defeat. These sounds are familiar to us all, regardless of country or language.

What do you like most about living in the Netherlands? 

My top five favourite things about living in the Netherlands are:

The relaxed atmosphere and accessibility. The Netherlands is a small and perfectly organised country. You can explore every corner by train, bike or public transport, and the people are relaxed and friendly. You often pass smiling or singing strangers while biking.

International environment. Walking along the streets of Utrecht feels like walking through an international campus. There are people from all over the globe and the Dutch are the best non-native English speakers in the world.

Access to a vibrant cultural and entertainment life. The concerts, museums and cultural events are absolutely amazing.

The respect for people – respect for cyclists, seniors and people in wheelchairs, respect and tolerance for diversity of all kinds. They are very understanding and accepting of immigrants or non-Dutch speakers.

Community cooperation. The Dutch have a long-standing culture of consensus and cooperation, known as the Polder Model. It stems from a history of intensive cooperation to prevent flooding. From infrastructure changes to organising a neighbourhood party, it is common for local communities to be involved in decision-making. It is something I have always appreciated about the Dutch management style during my career and whenever I have had the opportunity to work with Dutch people.

Is there anything you didn’t like or any challenges you faced when settling in?

I complained a lot about the weather the first few years I was here. During my first summer, I remember seeing the temperatures hit 35℃ in Romania. But I was wrapped up in a warm jacket because it was only 17℃ in Amsterdam.

Fashion is also a big challenge for me. The shops are full of trainers, boots, raincoats,  and other practical clothing. I guess it is logical as the Dutch need comfortable clothes for cycling, the streets of the major cities are cobbled (where to go with high heels?) and it can rain five times a day. I found it difficult to find a good hairdresser, too. Actually, this is still a drama – I tend to do it every time I go home instead. It may sound superficial, but there are small habits and comforts that you really miss when you move to another country.

Finally, over time, I have noticed that the Dutch passion for organisation and planning has upsides and downsides. For instance, every social interaction must be planned well in advance and pencilled in on the agenda. It means all spontaneity is lost and even having a coffee with your neighbour requires some project management.

Oh, I also had to get used to riding a bike again. The last time I did that was as a child!

What does a typical day look like for you now?

My days are like any other working day wherever I have lived. They typically involve working, exercising, cooking, a trip to the cinema or going out for dinner. The main difference is that I work mainly from home. It brings a new rhythm to work and greater flexibility.

I love travelling and working in our offices across Europe. I enjoy the sense of belonging and team spirit, as well as meeting people, having a chat at the coffee machine or enjoying a birthday cake. It’s a great company culture.

Living abroad can be such a transformative experience – how do you feel it has changed you? What valuable lessons have you learned from your international move?

I think I am wiser about different social and cultural behaviours. I have learned to be more tolerant, understand diversity and appreciate living in a highly developed and multicultural country. I’ve also seen what it takes to be successful as a nation, where values such as democracy, cooperation and innovation are so important.

I am grateful for where I am today. But I always remember my roots and never forget to appreciate the fact that I can live between two different worlds and need to try and get as much as possible from both.

How would you describe the expat community in the Netherlands? What advice would you give to anyone thinking of moving there?

To be honest, I haven’t explored the expat community that much. The expat community can be so diverse. People come here for different reasons – whether it’s work, education, love or adventure. You need to find friends with similar values and interests because sharing expat status is not enough. I am lucky to have a few good friends here and a lot of good friends back home. They visit or I go to Romania for a few days and meet them. Sometimes, we travel together.

I will say that the online expat community has been very useful when it comes to practical advice, tips and tricks for everyday life. But I am more of a silent observer than an active participant.

Making news friends in a new country can be daunting. What tips can you give us?

Making new friends can be daunting. But being alone in a new country is even more complicated. My advice is to make friends with locals. Neighbours are the best place to start. Try to be open and make the first move. Why not invite them over and share your home cooking? Signing up for sports or hobbies classes is also a great way to meet people with similar interests.

How does it feel to be part of Inchcape’s global community?

At Inchcape, I have realised how easy it is to work across continents. Thanks to technology, we can move from APAC to Africa or the Americas in the blink of an eye. But it’s also because we share the same values and it is very easy to connect.

I appreciate the opportunity to work across cultures, meet new people and understand the context in which Inchcape does business. The automotive industry and Inchcape share a commitment to innovation, which can be both rewarding and challenging. But what would life be without constant change and adaptation?

We want to say a big thank you to Sorana for sharing her thoughts and taking the time to answer our questions. She is a fantastic ambassador for the organisation and we’re extremely grateful for the fascinating insight into life as an Inchcape expat.

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