Expat and emigration interviews: the story of Wouter, who went from the Netherlands to Indonesia

Wouter, 51, born and raised in North Holland, the Netherlands. He has been living in Malang Indonesia with his wife and son since 2016.

What has been your motivation to emigrate to Indonesia?

What do people need to know about you to understand your emigration story?

Nothing special; we were at the point of looking for renewal and improved quality of life. 

Was there a specific moment or event that inspired you to emigrate?

My wife had a lot of disagreements with the nursery around how to raise the child. Having more time for your child was definitely something that played into the decision to leave the Netherlands behind.

How did you prepare?

Spent 1.5 months in Indonesia looking for a new home and exploring the culture (again).

What does your life look like, what kind of work or activities make you feel you are really ‘at home’ in Indonesia?

In daily life, our son's life is actually central; school and the activities around it such as sports club, tutoring and his social life.

How does your daily routine differ from that in your home country?

Much less stress, due to better weather and climate and friendlier people. And the convenience of a daily domestic help, so you have more time for other things.

Do you have any ideas about the future yet?

I am going to live in Indonesia forever. We still enjoy every day here.

What is the culture like in Indonesia?

What was your first encounter with a local?

That encounter was during a previous holiday. 

How did that go?

Local people are always positive towards the Dutch, regardless of the colonial past. Something that surprised me somewhat. People are not as concerned with this as in the Netherlands, strangely enough.

Do you have any tips for meeting people?

Connecting with local people is very easy. Almost everyone lives outside, so when you walk out to throw away rubbish, to do some shopping or to take your child to school, you can always chat with local people.

What is the best or most inspiring thing about your emigration?

How easy it is to arrange a permanent residence permit and good health insurance. 

If you prepare well beforehand and visit the right agencies, the government is helpful to foreigners. The young officials are very modern and very capable. All procedures can be arranged online and no long waits are required. I would even dare to say it is better regulated than in the Netherlands.

What is the funniest or most painful misunderstanding you have experienced because of language or cultural differences?

Like the Dutch language, Indonesia has thousands of local languages and accents. My Indonesian is naturally spoken with a foreign accent. When I try to order something at a warung or restaurant, they often don't understand me. They don't expect a foreigner not to speak English to them. After 3-4 seconds of ‘thinking time’, I repeat my question, only then is it the ‘Aha, oh yes!’ moment for them.  

Have you adopted local customs?

Yes, I can't imagine not eating rice now; I have to eat a hot meal with rice at least once daily.

How do locals react to the fact that you now live and work here?

Not particularly actually, in recent years, more and more foreigners are living and working in Malang. 

What is your favourite local tradition/festival?

The fasting month or called Ramadhan and Eid or Idul Fitri (sugar festival) actually, because the local people are extra happy; it's very nice to see. There are a lot more roadside food stalls and the whole month celebrates actually.  There is a very positive vibe.

Are there any customs in social interaction that you found difficult to understand or had to get used to?

Because of religion and tradition, men are considered the cornerstone of the family; The man is the head of the family here in most cases. But over the years, Indonesian women have become increasingly independent and empowered. 

How does friendship here differ from how it is perceived in your home country?

Not much difference really, many people put their own lives and family first. Little time to really meet up or catch up.  

What are the challenges of living in Indonesia?

Have there been times when you doubted your choice/emigration, or what disappointed you?

No doubts at all actually. We weighed all the factors (pros and cons) very carefully before making the decision. 

In retrospect, what would you have liked to know about Indonesia beforehand?

It is not at all easy to work abroad, in any country. 

What would you do differently next time and what would you give others with the same idea?

Gather good information around arranging residence permits, as it can save you thousands of euros a year. 

Because of religion, men here have more privileges than women. 

What skill did you never think you would need but have developed?

Flexibility; I was always agile as a steel tube in terms of time and schedule. 

What do you miss the most from the Netherlands?

I am not homesick and don't really miss anything, almost everything is available here, actually there is more to get here than in the Netherlands. 

Are there things you appreciate more about your homeland now that you are here?

Actually no, I actually see a decline in the Netherlands since I left. Both politically and economically. Other than that, of course, I remain a Dutchman and love my country of origin.

How are the practical rules in Indonesia?

How do you cope with the bureaucracy in your new country?

Well actually, we arranged permanent residence permit and driving licence in the first year. As long as you prepare well, speak the language well and are willing to arrange all the papers yourself (without a middleman), everything goes very smoothly. 

What was the most difficult rule to understand/follow?

There are no rules in traffic, despite the difficult test for getting your driving licence. Traffic is literally a jungle. 

How did you find a suitable place to live?

My in-laws had an empty house available for us. 

Was it difficult? What are the biggest cost differences between this country and your home country?

Unfortunately, in the past 2 years, food prices have risen by 75%. Indonesia's VAT is the highest in Southeast Asia. Even so, fixed expenses such as water, electricity and wifi are much lower than in the Netherlands.

What did you learn about insurance, taxes and other financial obligations abroad?

My wife arranges them with our tax advisor. 

Have you used local healthcare (GP, specialist, dentist, etc.) and what do you notice?

Not really notice any differences.

What is similar or totally different from Dutch healthcare?

The procedure of using health care is pretty much the same as in the Netherlands. First go to the GP, only then ask for a referral letter to make an appointment with the specialists at the hospital. 

What is useful for others to consider?

Use BPJS government health insurance. It is very affordable and the procedures are pretty much the same as in the Netherlands. 

Are there any specific issues or tips around ‘safety’ or ‘health’ that would be useful for other people who are going to live in Indonesia for a long time?

Give respect to local culture and customs. Wear neat clothes with sleeves and neat sandals. Except in Bali, don't wear clothes that are too short or too bare. This has nothing to do with freedom, but it has more to do with showing respect.