Dear Reader,
It has been three years since my last blog post, and this is my first entry for 2024. I find myself in the midst of a major transition: I’ve recently left my job and am now living in a country where I don’t yet speak the language. Much has happened during these three years, so let me give you a brief overview.
In 2021, while working in Turkey, my job consumed over 80% of my time. Seeking a better work-life balance, I decided to switch jobs and move to a new country simultaneously. Let’s break down the gap year by year and see what transpired.
2022
This is the year we quit our jobs, said goodbye to our families and loved ones, and stepped into the unknown. To me, the picture below captures how we felt on the first day of our new life. It was us against the challenges life would throw at us. We have moved to Poland with our dog and cat as a whole family.
That year marked a significant turning point in our lives. I extended my initial contract indefinitely, and my wife also began working at the same company as me. To kickstart my career in Europe, I accepted an offer from a global company, even though the salary was less than half of what I earned in Turkey. This year spent with a lot in our minds to blend in a new culture and gained new habits.
2023
This was the year when we questioned ourselves and our decisions extensively. Did we make the right choice moving to Poland? Could it be a better place for us to put down roots? Will this country offer what we expect from life? As we pondered our situation, we began to evaluate our options. I’d like to add a note here: our initial doubts about our decision were sparked by the severe inflation and its impact on our daily lives. Turkey was also grappling with high inflation, and we were keen to avoid experiencing the same challenges again. So we started traveling to see the life conditions on spot. We visited the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, comparing our observations and research from each country. We then created a pros and cons board for each, including the one where we currently live.
We customized the board according to our needs. For example, the pet-friendliness of a country was a major factor for us, given that we have two pets, and it weighed more heavily in our considerations than aspects like the weather. How easy is it to find an apartment that allows pets? Is English widely spoken there? What is the country’s economic history like over the years? The list of questions was extensive, but eventually, a few countries remained at the top of our list based on our needs and expectations. Netherlands , Poland , Switzerland. I should also mention that our primary concern was economic; aside from this, we had no complaints or issues with Poland. Our final list was something similar to below
| Country | Pros | Cons |
| Poland | – Safest country in the list1 – Highest pet ownership in the list2 – Great market for our line of business | – Economical volatility – English is not widely spoken |
| Netherlands | – You can live without learning the Dutch – Top immigration friendly laws that supports the initial moving | – Real estate/renting crisis – Market for our jobs are quite demanding/competitive |
| Switzerland | – Best nature in the list – Top life conditions in the list | – Narrow market for finding/changing jobs |
The table above is an oversimplification of the detailed analysis we originally created to make our decision. Numerous factors were considered, such as transitioning from dual incomes to a single income for an uncertain period of time.
2024
At the beginning of 2024, we made our first move by pursuing an opportunity to transfer from Poland to the Netherlands through an in-company transfer. This attempt failed for various reasons and it was time to made a decision that is where we choose to stay in Poland and I decided to switch jobs in order to mitigate the impact of inflation on our lives.
It wasn’t an easy decision for me to leave the company I had been with, especially considering the team I worked with. Throughout my career, I’ve always valued people over money and other considerations. My team was the best I’ve had so far. The harmony and quality of work we delivered were truly exceptional. I had the privilege of working with an international team, where I experienced firsthand how cultural differences can influence people’s working styles. I made lifelong friends there, and as I departed, the majority of my colleagues and my manager sent me off with the same phrase: “Until next time…” This was priceless for me. I can’t predict what the future holds, but the experience felt amazing.
Starting in August, I will begin working for a new company, where I will embrace a new challenge and take on a role in which I don’t have extensive experience. As always, I will give 100% to the new role and strive to make it a success.
Until next time🫳🏼 🎤
