Lorenzo: Home is connections

Why did you decide to move to Brainport Eindhoven?  

During my Erasmus, I studied abroad in Belgium for a year and did my master’s thesis. That’s where I got inspired to work outside Italy, especially in northern European countries, because the approach to work is completely different from what I experienced in Italy. Here, you are more active during working hours and more efficient. They also value their work-life balance and overall hours worked per day. Mainly for these reasons I decided to apply for a job in the Netherlands.  

How was your journey coming here?  

It was really easy and straightforward, to be honest, because I had the opportunity to have all the interviews online, so I didn’t have to come in person to have the interviews. This was, for sure, a good point. And once I got the job, it was really easy because VDL ETG really helped me from the beginning, providing me with a person to assist me. So, whenever I had questions, I could refer to her. Questions like how to register at the municipality and all the bureaucracy. She also helped me find accommodation, so it was very straightforward.  

There’s a saying that goes, ‘Home is where the heart is.’ Where is your heart in Brainport Eindhoven?  

My heart in Brainport Eindhoven is in the connections that I make. For example, with my friends, now after seven months, I have a lot of friends, and we always get together. But home, in a certain way, is my connection with my work, especially my team. We are very young and multicultural, and prefer to go to the office instead of working from home because I feel at home while I’m there with them. I really enjoy it because it’s something tough to achieve, in my opinion.  

I also have a connection with Brainport because I feel like I am a part of something important, and I feel comfortable here.   

How different is the working culture in the Netherlands than in other countries you have worked on?  

In my opinion, it’s completely different than in Italy for many reasons. In Italy, it’s more hierarchical: it was really difficult to see and even more to talk to the boss of my boss, for example. At the same time, in the Netherlands, especially VDL ETG, is a very flat organization. Here, I always feel comfortable and free to share my thoughts with someone in a higher position than mine. And I appreciate that; it is really a game changer. It makes you feel important. Even if you’re doing a small and stupid task, it’s nice that everyone is very proactive, listens to you, and tries to help you as much as possible. It helps you improve and grow professionally.