Expat Life in the Netherlands: A Conversation with Karsh Patel

“I’m Karsh. So, I originally came from India, and I came to the Netherlands for my education.”

Karsh Patel

In the conversation, we talked about his experience of moving to the Netherlands, working with Hilfort, and adapting to life here.

Moving from India to the Netherlands 

Karsh is originally from India and came to pursue his master’s degree at TU Delft. The university’s unique program is what drew him in. He graduated during COVID times, which was a period with on and off lockdowns in the Netherlands, and soon found a job opportunity here.

“My introduction to Hilfort was through our HR head then, who realized they needed to give me sponsorship for my permit. So they engaged Hilfort at the time, and then that’s how, basically, it got started.”

To employ an expat in the Netherlands, a company must be a recognized sponsor with IND. Since Karsh’s company wasn’t, they reached out to Hilfort for the employment of record services.

Hilfort’s support throughout his journey

When Karsh’s and Hilfort’s journey started, he said that one thing that stood out for him was how the team helped him renew his contract multiple times. 

“I’ve been working for Hilfort for quite some time now, and I have had two renewals of my temporary contracts and one permanent renewal. Whenever I had a question or needed clarification, I always received a timely response. The steps were laid out very clearly, and I knew what exactly needed to be done. It felt very professional and prompt.”

Another thing that stood out for Karsh was the transparency and straightforwardness that Hilfort offered. Expats often find themselves in the dark about what to expect from the immigration process, but with Hilfort’s support, he always knew what to expect.

“I knew exactly what was coming next. The team kept me informed at every step. I never felt confused or left wondering what to do next.”

Adapting to Life in the Netherlands

When it comes to life in the Netherlands, Karsh said he has embraced the challenges and successes that come with living as an expat. From adapting to the new academic environment at TU Delft to adjusting to cultural differences, he has learned to appreciate the Netherlands and Dutch life.

“What I enjoy most about living here is the small circle of colleagues and friends I have built. They have become my support system in this new chapter of my life.”

Reflecting on Karsh’s experience with Hilfort

Looking back, Karsh felt that Hilfort made his life and work easier. He appreciated the reliability and clarity that Hilfort provided, particularly regarding his work permit and employment status.

But those are all positives. While we’re always happy to hear from a satisfied payroller, we also want to keep improving our services. So I asked if there was anything he could think of for future improvements. He did eventually think of something we could improve on.

“Honestly, I can’t think of much. Maybe a quick 10-minute call during permit renewals could be helpful for people who are less familiar with the process. But for me, everything was smooth. Hilfort gave me peace of mind.”

What’s next for Karsh?

As for his future, he’s excited about the future he’s building here. His career is progressing, and he’s found stability both in his personal and professional life. He appreciates the service and stability that Hilfort has provided, and he continues to feel supported in his professional life.

“It’s like therapy. Well, I think it gave me more … What I wanted was to kind of see a very different place and be able to have a very different type of challenge that kind of forces me to look into myself. And I feel, I felt that I got that, and that has, and I think that has what has changed. I think it gives me an idea that going through tough things in foreign or unfamiliar places will force you to look into yourself, to overcome it, so you know yourself more.”

Wrapping Things Up

Karsh’s story reminds us why we do what we do at Hilfort. To make the life of expats easier by helping them with the legal formalities so they can focus on living and adjusting to their new life here, in the Netherlands.

To Karsh and all the expats and employers we work with, thank you for letting us be part of your journey. We wish Karsh all the best and hope we can continue supporting him and all other employers and expats for a long time to come.