From the Netherlands to Guatemala

Knowing Andrea Barillas.

Vegan, traveler, fashion designer, polyglot and a fan of cats.

By: Valeria Barillas

1.What made you want to go there?

I had a Dutch boyfriend and when we decided to move together we choose his country because we believed it was full of creative opportunities

2. What do you miss about Guatemala?

Most and foremost, the weather and the lush nature. I also miss the diversity of fresh produce and tropical fruits we have all year round.

3. Do you find difficult to work and interact with someone from a different background?

Just because someone has a different background doesn’t mean it’s going t be complicated to interact. As long as you enter every interaction with the understanding of cultural differences you will be able to see things with a different perspective, and make what would normally be a challenging situation an opportunity to learn from others.

4. What was the hardest adjustment you had to make?

This might sound silly but it was hard adjusting to the Dutch transport system. To cycle even under the rain, storm winds or even snow. You mostly move around on a bike, and you do this even when the weather is crazy, which is most part of the year.

5. What was the most interesting thing you learned about de culture?

Dutch people usually interact in a very direct and honest way. This can be very harsh for foreigners at the beginning. But eventually you understand how easy all interaction becomes when you are brutally honest. Straight and direct interaction is the easiest way to avoid missunderstandings