Imagine building a solid reputation at your employer, having fantastic colleagues, and yet deciding to quit your job to move to America without a job or work permit. That’s exactly what I did in 2021.
Life in America was full of exciting twists, highlights, and the occasional steep decline. For us, it was our second time living in the US—first in vibrant Boston and later in Greenwich, one of the suburbs of NYC. It was an adventure that enriched our lives but also brought challenges we hadn’t expected.
For us, the highlights were numerous. From shopping in the busy streets of NYC to attending breathtaking Broadway shows, every day brought new opportunities and adventures. We met new friends, broadened our horizons, and took amazing road trips that made us realize just how diverse and vast the country truly is. Another highlight was the visit of our family and friends from the Netherlands and Aruba; it was special to spend such intense days together.
After a few months, the work permit came through, and I could get started! This time at CFGI, the largest non-audit consulting firm in the US. It was a challenge to rebuild everything from scratch, but with full energy, I dove into my new job.
Although I was initially scheduled as the controller of a dual-listed entity, my role quickly changed. I was responsible for overseeing IPOs and supporting companies and private equity firms with acquisitions. It was a fast-paced learning environment where my team and I had to operate in challenging and complex situations.
One of the first things that struck me about New York City was the speed. Time is money, and you can feel it in everything. If you don’t drive off immediately when the light turns green, you’ll hear about it! Meetings were short and to the point, emails were kept to a minimum, and speed was essential. Call back right away. Why wait until this afternoon if it can be done now? It energized me to get things done and finish projects. But to be honest, I did wonder if I could keep up this pace for the rest of my life.
There were personal challenges as well, especially for our children. Saying goodbye to their familiar life in the Netherlands was difficult, and homesickness came into play. Starting a new school during the pandemic, learning a new language while all the children and teachers wore masks and kept their distance. But amidst these struggles, our children learned an invaluable lesson: that change doesn’t always have to be bad. They discovered that, despite the differences, there is beauty in new experiences, and that adaptability is one of the most important skills you can possess. At least, that’s what we hope!
On a professional level, it was a disappointment when I had to resign from my job in the US in early 2024 to move back to the Netherlands. I was really enjoying myself, with great colleagues, interesting assignments, and wonderful clients. However, I’ve now joined Beerensteyn Partners with great enthusiasm, a partnership of interim CFOs who help companies in various situations, such as international expansion, preparing for an exit, crisis management, back-office improvements, and more. What attracted me most to Beerensteyn Partners is that we work closely together and are not solo players. This allows us to solve more complex problems, continuously challenge each other, and grow both professionally and personally.
