Experiences of an expat in The Netherlands

One of the things I have learned after living in the Netherlands for three years is that it is a country with excellent opportunities for professional growth, highly focused on economic development and matters related to business and wealth. However, I have noticed a lower degree of emotional expression and a significant lack of empathy and humanity within the healthcare system.

Perhaps this is a subjective perception and a controversial topic for some, but, generally speaking, this is the impression I have formed based on my own experience. Of course, there are always exceptions.

A little about my background: I am Cuban, and therefore, Latina. In our culture, which is heavily influenced by Spanish heritage, special importance is placed on how our words and actions may affect others. In general, we tend to develop great empathy and warmth in our relationships, caring about the well-being of those around us and trying to put ourselves in their shoes to understand their perspective on life and the difficulties they may be facing.

While this attitude, when taken to the extreme, can be detrimental, I personally value it and prefer to maintain it.

That said, I’ve also learned from the Dutch not to take a lack of tact too personally in certain interactions, this has helped me become more practical in my personal relationships and has improved my emotional well-being.

After living in Cuba for 23 years and having already developed a solid perspective on life, I decided to move to the Netherlands in search of a better economic and professional future, something that is difficult to achieve in my home country.

It’s truly impressive how such a small country like the Netherlands has managed to remain a global economic and commercial leader for centuries. This is largely due to its practical mindset, which focuses on solving problems with logical solutions while rarely losing sight of efficiency.

However, when it comes to human matters, I find the approach and coldness with which certain topics, in certain sectors, are handled quite unsettling. My opinion is not solely based on my personal experience but also on stories shared by others and situations I have witnessed firsthand.

A recurring example, which many expats frequently complain about on social media and even turn into memes, is the experience with the healthcare system. It is common for general practitioners to initially downplay concerns when a patient visits with a complaint. Only after persistent insistence do they take action, often accompanied by an attitude that reflects irritation toward the patient’s persistence. In some cases, this seems to be linked to professional pride and a reluctance to admit mistakes.

Additionally, the apparent lack of interest in finding a precise diagnosis reinforces this perception I have.

To be clear, this doesn’t apply to all healthcare professionals, but it’s a noticeable trend.

As a resident of this country, this reality deeply concerns me. I am currently young and, fortunately, in good health, but what if one day my luck changes?

The mere thought of my health being in the hands of a professional who sees me more as a number than as a patient with unique needs is incredibly frustrating.

In my country, there’s a popular saying from the musical group Buena Fé, "Cada uno cuenta" (Everyone matters), however, here, I feel that efficiency and statistics often take precedence over empathy. The lack of a more human-centered approach in healthcare doesn’t just feel cold, it can sometimes be downright discouraging.

I suppose that those who were born and raised in the Netherlands do not perceive this contrast. It is possible that they see illness and death as natural events of life (which they certainly are) and accept these realities with much more pragmatism. I don’t think that’s entirely wrong, but as with anything, extremes are never ideal.

The idea that illness is just something that happens in life, and if death comes, it is just a matter of bad luck, deeply unsettles me. Maybe I am exaggerating or being sarcastic, but at times, that is the impression I get.

My expat friends have also noticed this cultural difference, and for many of us, the culture shock is significant. The lack of empathy in some situations is difficult to assimilate and reminds us of how important humanism is in any society, regardless of how economically developed it may be.