The dream:
“A better future for our family”
Driven by a wish to offer their two young children more opportunities, Ferhat and his wife had been dreaming of moving abroad for a long time. “We wanted to give our children better opportunities,” Ferhat says.
The decision to choose the Netherlands over other countries came after careful consideration of factors such as safety, healthcare, education and quality of life. Eindhoven, with its green spaces, family-friendly atmosphere and central location, quickly became one of their top choices.
Navigating the unknown
Moving to a new country is a big step, especially if you never left home. The thought of navigating a new culture, language and job market can be overwhelming. But Ferhat was determined. He researched Eindhoven extensively, watched many YouTube videos and gathered information to prepare for the big move.
Despite all his research, Ferhat knew moving his family to the Netherlands would take more than just willpower. The paperwork, the logistics, the job search—these were not things he could handle on his own. He needed a partner he could trust to help him through the process.
Guided by YER to a new beginning
Enter YER. Through a friend, Ferhat was introduced to Wesley—a dedicated consultant with years of experience in helping international professionals relocate to the Netherlands. “My friend spoke so highly of YER and their relocation process that I knew I could trust them,” Ferhat says.
Wesley’s help and guidance proved invaluable right from the very beginning. Not only did he get Ferhat his first assignment at NXP, but he also gave Ferhat coaching that went beyond the technical aspects of the job. “Wesley prepared me for the interview by explaining the norms of the interview in the Netherlands and how they were different from the ones in Türkiye. It made a huge difference,” Ferhat says.
The win-win employment model
Before signing the contract, Ferhat was concerned about job security. Unfamiliar with secondment, he had many questions, but Wesley took the time to explain the concept—alleviating his concerns.
What is secondment? A popular employment model in the Netherlands where professionals hold full-time contracts with agencies like YER but work on assignments for different companies. The key benefit is job stability, as YER ensures a steady income and new assignments after each project. In August 2024, YER employs nearly 4,000 seconded professionals.
For Ferhat, this meant peace of mind. “Understanding how secondment works made me feel secure. I knew that even if my assignment with NXP ended, YER would find me new assignments while I’m still employed by them,” he shares.
A big leap and a new life
Once the contract was discussed and signed, it was time for the big jump. Wesley introduced Ferhat to YER’s Expat Team who helped him through every step of the big transition. Their comprehensive support includes arranging work permits, booking flights, assisting with finding a house, arranging schools, finding a general practitioner, opening a bank account—oftentimes even taking the international professionals and their families to get groceries the first time.
Within a month, Ferhat and his family were settled in their new home. The Expat Team took care of everything, allowing him to focus on settling into his new role and helping his family adjust to their new surroundings. “What has stood out the most for me is the support from my consultant and other colleagues, not just in my professional life, but also in my social life and in dealing with everyday challenges.” Ferhat adds.
