New Job and Moving Abroad | Dillon Parfitt | Beyond Coding Podcast #4

Directness

The podcast explores the nuances of direct communication, particularly contrasting Dutch and South African styles. Patrick Akil shares his experience with remote interviews, noting the challenge of interpreting body language virtually, especially across cultures 1. He highlights the Dutch's straightforwardness, which he finds refreshing compared to the more indirect South African approach 2. This directness extends to business settings, where feedback is candid and constructive, fostering a collaborative environment 3.

The Dutch are known to be quite direct, so you can definitely pick that up. In South Africa, people sort of beat around the bush a bit more, but in the Netherlands they get to the point and tell you what they think.

--- Patrick Akil

This cultural difference is evident in both personal and professional interactions, offering a unique perspective on communication dynamics.

   

Language

Language plays a crucial role in easing the transition to a new country, as Patrick explains. His bilingual upbringing in Afrikaans and English provides a significant advantage in the Netherlands, where Dutch shares similarities with Afrikaans 4. This linguistic overlap simplifies communication and cultural integration, making the move less daunting 5. Additionally, Patrick discusses the Dutch language exam, emphasizing the benefits of an Afrikaans background in understanding Dutch, which reduces the learning curve 6.

Dutch is quite similar to Afrikaans, which is one of the languages we speak in South Africa. So if you can speak Afrikaans and you compare it to Dutch, you can sort of understand Dutch.

--- Patrick Akil

This linguistic familiarity not only aids in daily interactions but also in formal assessments, easing the adaptation process.