As part of the 30th anniversary of STE Languages, a special edition of FRITS magazine was published titled ‘Medelanders’, featuring an interview with Pouriya Jalalipour.

When Pouriya Jalalipour fled Iran in 2019 and arrived in the Netherlands, he found himself in a world that felt completely unfamiliar. The language, the culture, even the way people interacted, everything was new. Step by step, he began to develop a deeper interest in and respect for his new environment. Thanks to his perseverance and a language course at STE, he not only learned Dutch but also gained a better understanding of how Dutch people think and behave. Today, he’s incredibly happy with his new life in Eindhoven.

“Even though I’m very happy living in the Netherlands now, I struggled a lot in the beginning,” Pouriya explains. The country was completely new and unfamiliar. “Fortunately, I started to feel a little better every day. After about a year, I realised I could really start over here. I’m very happy with the life I’ve built, it truly feels like a second home. And the course at STE definitely played a role in that.”

Feeling at home
About two years ago, Pouriya followed the B1+ course at STE. “Thanks to that course, I learned about 80% of the Dutch language! I had a great teacher and a fun group. Besides learning how to speak Dutch well, we also learned about Dutch culture like King’s Day and eating fries.”

The course also helped him express himself better in Dutch. “Dutch is a tough language, but it’s important if you want to really feel at home,” Pouriya says. “I always try to speak Dutch, even though my English is better. It’s a way to show respect for this country and every time, I learn something new.” 

Learning about the culture
“The Dutch culture is very different from the culture in Iran. Dutch people are much more open.” Despite the cultural differences, Pouriya has had many positive experiences with the people he’s met. “They’re kind and have really helped me. If you want to have good contact with Dutch people, it’s important to understand their culture. Thanks to what I learned at STE and from my own experience I’ve been able to build my own network.” One cultural difference that stands out to him? “In my culture, it’s very common to keep offering guests something to drink, again and again,” he says, laughing. “But here I learned that once or twice is enough! So when I have Dutch friends over, I adjust to that.”

Work and archery
Understanding the culture has also proven helpful in looking for a job. “Right now, I don’t have a job. I’m applying to different positions. But my knowledge of the language and the culture definitely helps.” In the meantime, Pouriya is also training hard for the World Archery Championships. “I’m part of the Dutch national team. So many people in the Netherlands have helped me over the past few years, now I want to give something back. My goal is to win medals and make the Netherlands proud!”

(source: FRITS Media magazine ‘Medelanders’, text: Emma van der Geer, photo: René Manders/ DCI).