In ACCESS Stories this month, Maryam Mollaei reflects on her first months in the Netherlands after moving from Iran, and the unexpected emotional and practical challenges of becoming a newcomer again. From navigating unfamiliar systems to rebuilding her professional and social identity, she discovered that finding a sense of home was less about paperwork or place, and more about the people around her. Through friendships, shared meals, conversations and new connections, the Netherlands gradually began to feel less like a destination and more like a community.
Read the full story here:
https://access-nl.org/features/finding-home-between-people/
ACCESS is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that has supported the international community in the Netherlands since 1986. English-speaking volunteers provide free, independent information and guidance on living, working and settling in the Netherlands, via a helpdesk, email support and partnerships across the country.
Published in partnership with ACCESS. Image: Courtesy of ACCESS.