Like many GiT members, I moved to the Eindhoven area for love. But unlike many of them, I had not come from far away – a mere 100 km.
My name is Melde, and I moved to the Eindhoven area from Leuven, Belgium in February 2015. The reason for my move was my Australian boyfriend, who had landed a postdoc position at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).
Even though I was able to see my friends and family back home on a somewhat regular basis, I was keen to make friends in Eindhoven. Yet, I must admit that I was somewhat hesitant when I heard about the GiT program. A program for ‘spouses who had left behind a busy and meaningful life back home’? I did not identify with this description at all! My boyfriend and I weren’t married, and I still had my career and social network in Belgium – all I had to do was hop in my car and drive. But it seemed like GiT could help me make friends in Eindhoven, so I signed up.
My work hours were irregular, which meant that I was able to make it to some GiT meetings, but not all. That didn’t matter; I was always welcomed heartily by Carola and the other GiT members. I met someone new or learnt something new at every GiT meeting. And it was such a good way to discover the city, because it meant you were always in good company.
My favorite GiT meetings, however, were the cooking workshops. They were hosted by various GiT members, often in their homes. I learnt to make Tangyuan (a Chinese treat), Patacones (Colombian banana snacks) and Pav bhaji (a Mumbai classic). These workshops were very hands-on, and gave invaluable insights into the host’s home culture. After a few months, Carola asked me if I could host a workshop. I had to think long and hard – surely Belgian cuisine is not that exotic here in the Netherlands? And which Belgian dish could be appropriate for a workshop? In the end, I opted for Belgian-style crepes. A simple recipe, but to my surprise many GiT members hadn’t tried making them before and were keen to give it a go! So, on a sunny afternoon, I met a small group of lovely ladies for a bike ride to my home – where we spent the afternoon mixing batter and flipping crepes. But mostly chatting, enjoying each other’s company and learning about each other’s cultures. And to me, that’s why GiT is such an important program. It lets you connect with amazing people from across the globe in a friendly atmosphere.
Last September, I moved away from the Eindhoven area. The reason is once again, love – the same Australian boyfriend. This time, I did leave behind ‘a busy and meaningful life’ – my life in Eindhoven, which GiT had helped me build.
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