My name is Rona. I work as a houseparent in Bahay Aurora and I have been 3 months for holidays in Holland. On October 10
I started working again with the kids in Bahay Aurora.
It’s nice to experience wonderful things in one of the riches country in the world. I learned many thing to the different people that I met there. Between the culture in the Philippines and Holland is a big difference.
In Holland the time is very important. For example you have to work and you have to ride in the train. The train is always on time and if you are late you will wait for some minutes or an hour for the next train. People are coming in time because they don’t want to be late in their work/appointment. The people are always making an appointment in advance if they want to visit their family/friends etc or have a meeting. In the Philippines we are used to Filipino time (one hour late) and also not really making an appointment when we have to visit someone. Filipino need to learn setting an appointment.
In meal time Dutch have discussion during the meal and they are eating together. Filipino needs to learn to eat together and have some discussion especially at home. Most Filipino are eating separately and many are eating in front of the television.
The food there is healthy. Their meat products have no fat. In the Philippines most of the people like faty foods and oily foods. They need to learn to avoid the unhealthy foods, it effects their health.
I like the transportation in Holland. It’s accesable. There is also no pollution, no traffic, well organized and they are always following the rules, in short they have discipline.
I notice that in Holland they have less time in the family because they are always working. Here in the Philippines they are always thinking of their family wherever they go. Family member like to live in one home as long as possible. They are taking care of and have time to spend with their old family members (grandma and grandpa). In Holland if the person is in the right age they are looking for their own house and chose to be independent. The old people there have to live to the home for the aged supported by the government. It feels so lonely.
In the Philippines even though the people have problems you cannot notice that the person have problems. Filipino are always smiling and likes making jokes.
My 3 months stay in Holland is memorable and I had a wonderful experience. I have nice and wonderful memories to keep. Even though the people that I met is always busy, they still had time for me to see the nice places there. Thanks to all my relatives and friends who always guided me.
