Mehrbakhsh is building a new life in the Netherlands, step by step

How do you start afresh in a country you don’t know? Where everything is different: the language, the people and the customs? For Mehrbakhsh (59), the answer is simple: by getting stuck in. He came to the Netherlands a few years ago. In Lelystad, he found a place to start afresh and, above all, to get involved. ‘I volunteer for three organisations. That’s how I learnt the language and got to know the people.’

Don’t sit still

Mehrbakhsh was granted a residence permit at the end of 2024 and has been attending an integration course since the end of 2025. In the years prior to that, he was anything but idle. With the help of a volunteer from the IDO Foundation, he began learning the Dutch language.

Mehrbakhsh felt welcome at the evangelical church De Pijler and started volunteering there. ‘I still help out in the management team, getting everything ready for the church service and making sure everything is tidied up afterwards.’

But that wasn’t all. He also volunteers at the Jediah Foundation and BinnenInn. ‘At Jediah, we cook for the guests of the budget-free restaurant at the Zuiderzee community centre every second Saturday of the month.’ When asked if he does the cooking, he replies, ‘I do cook, but I’m not the chef. I help with getting everything ready.’ At BinnenInn, he serves coffee and tea and has a chat with people.

Learning by doing

Thanks to his voluntary work, he now speaks Dutch well, and through his integration classes he is also learning grammar. ‘I find grammar difficult, but I enjoy learning it.’ He becomes enthusiastic when he talks about his voluntary work. ‘In my previous job, I mainly worked with figures and sat behind a desk. Now it’s something completely different.’

At home in the Netherlands

The Netherlands feels like home, although some things took a bit of getting used to at first. ‘I like Dutch food. I was surprised, though, that the shops close as early as 6 pm. And that so many people cycle. I’m used to just popping round to see family. ‘Here, you have to make an appointment!’

Belonging

Yet it is precisely this structure that has helped him. ‘I’m always on time for my voluntary work.’ For Mehrbakhsh, this is much more than just a way to pass the time. ‘I’m glad I started doing voluntary work. It’s a way of getting to know the language and society.’

He smiles: ‘I really enjoy being there for others. I do it with all my heart.’

Photo caption: Mehrbakhsh volunteers at organisations including BinnenIn.