18123_NSFM-mei-2021_Guts_Totaal_UK_1_Spreads_LR

guts
stories
Rik Verspaandonk
Commercial
Trader
Aartsen Asia.
How did you wind up in this job
and on this adventure?
I'd been working and living in Amsterdam, but always had
this idea to live abroad someday. Fortunately, my girlfriend
shared that idea. I was put in touch with Menno and heard
about the opportunities in Hong Kong. Meeting with
Menno lit a spark, but I wasn't quite sure yet what to do
about it. My girlfriend encouraged me to arrange another
meeting. After multiple conversations a plan began to
take shape, and then after talking with Jack it all fell into
place, including the move abroad.
What drew you to Hong Kong?
I've always been drawn to Asia. Other Asian cities
appeal to me as well, actually, but it ended up being
Hong Kong, and I love it.
How did friends and family
react to your decision?
It wasn't a shock, but as soon as you get serious
about a big step like that, people are surprised
nonetheless. Everyone was very excited for
us, though.
What was the most difficult
thing to leave behind?
Not seeing family and friends as often is hard.
The coronavirus hasn't helped, since travelling
is very difficult at the moment.
What was the biggest
challenge in Hong Kong?
Everything happened at once. We had to
quarantine in a hotel and of course there
were all kinds of arrangements to make.
Then I started my job, we familiarised
ourselves with the city, got to know people,
found a place to live and redecorated it.
And while I had a great job lined up in
Hong Kong, my girlfriend still had to find
something. Luckily, she's found a job
she likes now. All in all, there were some
major challenges.
Now that's you’ve settled
in, and knowing what you
know, would you take that
step again?
We both felt we wanted to do something
really cool. And I think we did: I'm 100%
positive this was a good step, professionally
and personally. We got a super nice welcome,
there's a sense of family and everyone's very
helpful. That makes makes taking such a big
step easier. So, yes, we'd absolutely do
it again.
nonstop
fresh/ 29