Interview with Amin Malek Hoseini

This interview presents the personal story of an expat who came to the Netherlands under the Highly Skilled Migrant scheme and received direct support from All About Expats. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace personal advice. For more information about our services, please feel free to contact us.

When Amin moved from Iran to the Netherlands in 2020 at the age of 33, the world was in turmoil. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, he embarked on a new adventure: studying in Amsterdam. Over time, he started new jobs and eventually built a career in the Dutch automotive industry. Now, after five years of living and working here, he reflects on his journey from engineer in Iran to automotive technician in the Netherlands.

Amin studied mechanical engineering in Iran and earned a master’s degree in mechanical design in 2016. He worked in industry for several years, designing hardware and systems for different companies, but his passion for technology, especially the automotive industry, kept pulling him in that direction.

When considering emigration, Amin first thought of Canada or Australia. Yet he deliberately chose the Netherlands:

Exploring new countries: “The great thing is that it’s so easy to travel across Europe.”

Amin began his studies at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. But after only two months, the university closed its doors due to the pandemic. He temporarily returned to Iran and continued his lessons online, then came back to the Netherlands in September 2020 to resume studying.

During his studies, he focused on business and entrepreneurship. His family has run a bookstore in Iran for over 30 years, which has always inspired him and which he still helps with remotely from the Netherlands. Entrepreneurship runs in his family: “My father started with a small shop and grew it into two branches. We sell books in multiple languages and also provide language courses for people who want to learn English.”

In the Netherlands, this inspired him to follow courses such as How to Run a Small Business in the Netherlands, which gave him practical insights into the business climate and starting a company.

Amin arrived with a friend and was picked up by a Persian man, now a good friend, whom he had met via social media. “He was so helpful: he collected us from Schiphol, showed us the city, and let us stay in his house for a month until we found a place to rent.”

At first, Amin and his friend tried to find a rental home in Amsterdam through Funda, but that proved difficult. Eventually, through a Persian WhatsApp group, Amin found a broker who helped them secure their first apartment. “As a student, you have to prove you can pay rent, and that’s tough without steady income.”

Both men were married, and after some time living together in Amsterdam, they decided to find separate homes so their wives could join them.

Soon after, Amin’s wife, whom he met during his studies in Iran, joined him in the Netherlands. She is also a mechanical engineer and eventually found her place in the Dutch construction and energy sector, though not without challenges. “It wasn’t easy for her at first,” Amin says. “She took additional courses and is working toward a new diploma to be able to work here.” Together, they eventually found a rental home in Rotterdam.

During his studies, Amin got his first job at Gorillas, an international startup in the delivery sector. He quickly advanced to warehouse team leader and supervisor in The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. When the company went bankrupt, he had to look for new opportunities.

That search led him to Greenmo, a company in e-mobility and shared transport. Through friends, he was introduced to All About Expats (AAE), who helped him with his residence permit. Later, he got the chance to pursue his true passion, working at a car dealership. “That was a milestone for me. Cars had always been my passion, and now I could combine my technical interest in cars with my job.”

Not every employer is a recognized IND sponsor, so All About Expats stepped in to support Amin. He especially valued the personal guidance:

“Patrick was always available, even during holidays. I could call or message him directly, and he arranged things quickly. I also had good contact with Jill and Ana from the expat desk. They kept me updated and handled matters professionally.”

It wasn’t always smooth sailing, though. Once, a miscommunication about a contract nearly jeopardized his job and residence permit. “That was stressful. A mistake was made in an offer, and I really thought I might lose my job.” In the end, it was resolved, but it showed him how crucial clear communication is.

Amin has noticed major differences in work culture. “In the Netherlands, you usually work eight hours a day, with set breaks and clear rules. In Iran, it’s very different, you often work ten hours or more, six days a week. The workload is higher, and work-life balance is weaker.”

Relationships between employers and employees are also different. “In the Netherlands, there’s more emphasis on an open, respectful environment. Contracts, even short-term ones, come with clear expectations, which gives employees peace of mind.”

“In Iran, company culture is more traditional and hierarchical. If an employer isn’t satisfied, it might lead to dismissal in most cases. The pressure is higher, and employees feel less free to set boundaries.”

Daily life also looks different. Shops and restaurants in the Netherlands close earlier. “In Iran, shops open in most cases in 2 shifts and stays open til around 9:00 – 10:00 pm. Restaurants often don’t open until the afternoon and can stay open until the early morning.”

Social norms also vary. In Iran, respect for teachers and elders is stronger, “everyone stands up when a teacher enters the classroom.” Dutch culture is more informal, which Amin appreciates: “In Iran, people often don’t say what they really think. In the Netherlands, people are direct, and I like that, I always know where I stand.”

Hospitality is another difference. “In Iran, sharing food with colleagues, friends, or family is normal. In the Netherlands, people are more individualistic.” He stresses this is rooted in tradition, not religion: “In Iran, religion is more government-driven, while most people don’t focus on it in daily life. Maybe 80% aren’t really religious. Traditions, not religion, shape daily customs.”

And then there’s the weather: “I didn’t realize how rainy and windy it would be here,” Amin laughs. Coming from Kerman, in southern Iran, he was used to extremes: “In summer, it can reach 40°C during the day but drop to 20°C at night. In winter, it can be -10°C in the morning and 15°C in the afternoon. The contrast is much stronger than in the Netherlands.”

At first, Amin didn’t feel completely at home in the Netherlands. He often spoke English, especially in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, where people quickly switch when they notice your Dutch isn’t fluent. But he wanted to be able to have long conversations in Dutch and feel part of society.

He took a language course and achieved the B1 certificate. That was a big step, but in the automotive sector he still encounters many new Dutch terms. With his busy job, it’s hard to keep up, but he listens to Dutch radio and tries to use Dutch as much as possible at work. Looking back, he wishes he had started learning before moving.

His advice to other expats is clear: “Focus on the language from day one. The faster you learn Dutch, the easier it is to integrate, make friends, and find a good job.”

Ambitious about the future, he wants to keep developing in the automotive industry and gain as much knowledge as possible. His long-term dream? Starting his own company, inspired by his father’s bookstore. “In the next two or three years, I mainly want to learn, gain experience, and improve my Dutch. After that, I see myself starting my own path, maybe a business in the car industry. In the short term, I hope to improve my Dutch .”

Do you have a story you’d like to share about moving to, working in, or living in the Netherlands?