A new start with syrup waffles and fresh herring

Stroopwafels and fresh herring with onions: two typical Dutch delicacies. But for 20-year-old Monia Zahran from Egypt, they are much more than that; they are symbols of her new life in the Netherlands. Monia, who grew up in Egypt with her mother and younger brother, only knew her father from holidays for a long time. He had been working and living in the Netherlands for 24 years to support his family in Egypt. Three years ago, at seventeen, she came to the Netherlands, and the family was finally reunited. 

"The most important thing is that we're back together as a family," says Monia. "My father lived and worked here to give us a good life in Egypt. But I only saw my father when he came on vacation. That was hard for me. Now we live together in a house like a normal family."

Transition not easy

The transition to the Netherlands wasn't easy for Monia, then 17. "You leave everything behind, friends and family. I was in my final year of high school in Egypt and couldn't graduate. And then you arrive in the Netherlands, where you know absolutely no one and don't speak the language. It's very scary to connect with people. The Egyptian script is different from the Dutch alphabet. Luckily, I spoke some English, so I quickly mastered the letters. But you could say I arrived in the Netherlands illiterate. I couldn't read or write."

Care heart

Determined to build her life in the Netherlands, Monia enrolled at Summa Plus secondary school for non-Dutch speakers, known as Voat. “I started in the lowest grade, the alpha class. I was determined to learn the language quickly. Within three months, I was at A1 level, which stands for basic Dutch. Now I'm studying for the MBO-2 level, a Care & Welfare Assistant. Ultimately, I want to become a physiotherapist. I want to be able to make a difference in people's lives. I have a caring heart; caring for people, doing good, gives me satisfaction.”

Friendship

To improve her language skills and integrate more quickly, Monia started working at Action alongside her studies. "I've been working there for two years now. It's important to talk to people; that's the fastest way to learn the language. So, as nervous as I was at first, I'm glad I looked for a job right away." Despite her busy schedule, with studies, work, and swimming once a week, she doesn't have many Dutch friends yet. "I'm really focusing on my studies now. And with work and sports, there's little time left. I sometimes cram 48 hours into a day," she laughs, "but it's still difficult to make real friends. But that will work out. I have one good friend. She's from Somalia. I met her at Summa Plus and also works at Action. So we see each other there regularly."