Should I Move to Amsterdam in April?

Originally, I was supposed to start at Flexport in SF on March 2nd—in two weeks.

But today, my recruiter called me and told me I could start in Amsterdam instead of San Francisco, if I wanted. It’d take a sec for the Visa and my start date would be in April instead, but all I’d have to say was yes.

What the heck?!?

I took the call half asleep at 8:30am, but when I heard the news, I jolted awake.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I don’t feel like I’m leaning one way or the other.

On one hand, I already have an apartment in SF. (True, I can sublease it out.) I have a bunch of close friends there, and I’ve already been looking forward to starting. I’ve been looking forward to the particulars of my routine, my apartment, my social life, for months now. (I enjoy imagining the future.)

In any case, I would have a great life there.

On the other hand, I want to have an interesting life, not just a good life. And Amsterdam hella counts. I’ve pushed myself to do the uncomfortable thing before, to grow. I’d grow in Amsterdam.

Especially because Amsterdam would be a new kind of uncomfortable. Unlike study abroad or an internship, I’d get no cohort to fall back on. Challenge accepted…

I’ve only told a few people so far, and their immediate reaction was just, Amsterdam. Granted, they’re all the kind of person that would bias towards Amsterdam. But what I want to point out, is that culturally, we find moving abroad cool or admirable. I fall into that camp.

That’s weird. I don’t think that’s the case where I’m from in India.

Anyway. Idk what to do.

Hmm, will going to Amsterdam for an extended period of time affect my U.S. citizenship application? I hope this isn’t what makes my decision.

Hmm… I’ll get paid less in Amsterdam, but I’m not too bothered by that.

Tbh, I don’t know much about Amsterdam, so I looked it up this morning. The canals are gorgeous. It seems a lot of people bike around, which gave me good vibes. And I’ve always dug stroop waffles. Perhaps that’s all the encouragement I need.

A comment my friend made was,

When will you ever get an opportunity like this again?!?

Probably not, unless I make a specific effort. It’s the perfect time to do something like this too, as in out of college.

Honestly, both options are chill. I’ll be good either way.