This Experience In Amsterdam Changed My Life

[@patjobs]

New video every week! I'm working through my backstory, building the character, and learning how to edit lol

[@macten6819]

Mate, you are incredibly blessed. You have stepped outside your comfort zone and found the courage to do stuff and truly enjoy freedom here. Really heart-warming to see and reminds of of my younger days even though I'm only 32. Just take up on that advice from your mom and get that damned piece of paper from school and you are set for life man. Trust me ;) I had a phase as well in my life where I thought I could never finish school. Got expelled from the first, failed the second but got my act together and through blood, sweat and tears I was able to finish on my 3rd attempt even though my home situation was as shit as on the first try.

[@patjobs]

I wish I could finish school, I don't know why I struggle with it so much. Thank you for your kind words, I wish this had worked out in the end... maybe it still will in a different way

[@gerritvalkering1068]

Don't hesitate to ask for help from the university. They're familiar with people having your kind of trouble. It's really easy to lose sight of the study part of being a student, because a lot is happening. You're not the first, you won't be the last. They have dedicated psychologists for this, I believe, which you can access through the university. Funny though how you're doing the same study I did (and didn't finish) way back when, though I went to the VU.

[@patjobs]

Thank you for the advice, I really appreciate it. I'll talk more about this in one of the next few videos. I did reach out to the school psychologists, and I did have an appointment, but the lady thought I needed more help than the school could provide and sent me to the GP The VU, nice, funny thing haha

[@Kyle-hn8qs]

Could you please give me your honest opinion on that university I’m considering it at the moment

[@gerritvalkering1068]

@@Kyle-hn8qs It's been more than a decade since I've last been to either university, so I can't give you much info. I looked up some recent articles though. The UvA is considered the worst of The Netherlands, but in general there are no actually bad universities. Being a bad university in The Netherlands still means it's in the top 250 of the world. You might want to consider a different city. While every city is experiencing housing shortages, the situation in Amsterdam is extreme.

[@Kyle-hn8qs]

@@gerritvalkering1068 thanks for the information I finished school last year and I’m currently living in the uk I’ve been looking into studying in the Netherlands though so I appreciate the information Thank you

[@patjobs]

@@Kyle-hn8qs It is not a bad university, and I would not consider it great either. Your experience will be very reflective of the effort that you put in. However, that being said the kinds of industry contacts the UvA has is very limited to the local companies around Amsterdam. If you want to work at Philips, ING, HEINEKEN, etc. Where as going to UW in the USA I felt the options were endless for work contacts, from Microsoft to Goldman Sachs. If you want to live and work in Amsterdam, the UVA is a great choice, alongside the VU university.

[@boneitch]

So happy to have stumbled across your channel. You have such an awesome vibe, and I can't wait to hear all of your stories:D!

[@patjobs]

thank you ^^

[@collectioneur]

You've already done more in Amsterdam than I have in the past ten years, well done...

[@51bikerboy]

You must be very lazy 😜

[@Hrn250]

I understand that you are studying at the VU in Amsterdam ? Good university. A number of family members obtained their master's degree there. They all had to deal with the housing problem and some of them found it difficult in the beginning to get used to the complete different life, to find the right direction , but they all successfully completed their studies. I think it's pretty hard being so far from home especially during the holidays. I'd say make something of it, make sure you make the right choices . Succes.

[@patjobs]

Thank you for your advice and kind words :) I am actually studying at the UVA, and I am considering switching to a different program at the VU. The holidays were tough, no doubt about it, but this year was a bit better, and I'm making an active effort to improve and find the right direction for myself

[@TeeAnn]

Love this vlog so far. Good on you for stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing something different. Such a bummer about the housing situation. Crazy we are letting this happen everywhere. Take care of your mental health. Looking forward to the next video :) 👍

[@patjobs]

Thank you very much :)

[@Rimpelmans]

That hostel is very close to where I used to live, I hope you enjoyed Amsterdam Oost. You are a gifted storyteller, if you can manage to keep this up I think your channel will be doing well.

[@patjobs]

Thank you! Oost is one of my favorite parts of the city

[@ezz625]

I thought your last video was wholesome, but this one really takes the cake. You seem like such genuinely nice and chill guy. And I feel you w/ the mental health stuff; you really can be doing everything right and still your brain will sabotage the hell out of your life. Keep up the nice work homes :)

[@patjobs]

Thank you! Yes, the self sabotage is the worst

[@willemsaedt9464]

See you're doin' really well here. Keep up with bein' you and explore new things here

[@patjobs]

Thanks! That's the plan!

[@pietervoogt]

Nice, you are a good storyteller. I enjoy seeing my city from your perspective.

[@patjobs]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks!

[@fonkelster]

I hope you'll enjoy your further stay here in NL! And I'm sorry you were alone at Christmas. Noone should be alone during Christmas. Take care, I hope you'll make fantastic memories here :)

[@fgap1]

WOW!!!! This is professional level stuff. You may suck at academics, but you’re a graphic arts genius. Signage, trimming and cuts to video and stills images (all while keeping the sound track “in synch”) leads me to believe you’ve done this before. Either that or you’re a “natural” at this. I have no idea how this all goes together, as film-making seems like a collaborative effort involving lotsa peeps. Yet here you are, doing it on your own. To this I say “Bravo Zulu”!

[@patjobs]

Thanks man! I have done a bit of editing with some of my older videos, but most of it I picked up from youtube tutorials. The music for these videos I just threw on from the youtube music library after I had already made them, so if it's in sync that is purely coincidence lol. I edit using Adobe Premiere Pro, which is one of the most common for this kind of thing

[@tubularap]

Adepting very well, you are. Being at ease on a bike is a big step, giving you the same mobility as everyone else. Letting your hair hang down, both literally and figuratively, will do you good. More than studying you seem to be in serious need of living life.

[@patjobs]

Yes, I think you are right

[@jamalbizjan6127]

I love your enthousiasm about all the things you have experienced compared to your life in the US and how good you reflect on your mental state back then. It really gives me a different perspective on life 🫶

[@Jekena3d]

You can finish your study ,my daughter is one of this girls who needed special learning at highschool with small class and she finished her 1e mbo hair stylist and 2e mbo travel so for sure can do it. The best of luck 👍👍👍

[@patjobs]

Thank you for your vote of confidence ☺️

[@ianluscombe]

Interesting video. I am looking to forward to watching the story unfold.

[@patjobs]

You and me both! Cheers!

[@Patrick_from_Youtube]

This is such an awesome fucking video, wow. I love your journey of self-discovery and the courage to take new steps. Cycling in Amsterdam is terrifying btw

[@patjobs]

thank you ❤️

[@angeladeruiter]

Sorry to hear about you, feeling lonely with x-mas☹️

[@jelle_smid]

Reminds me of my college time.... Nice vlogs, keep em coming

[@patjobs]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Roman500]

Cant wait for the next video!

[@patjobs]

Thank you!

[@MrHvleeuwen]

What can I say bro, I'm literally doing the same study for the 5th time starting in the 1st year (3rd different school now). Basically wasn't used to school anymore because of some gapyears or maybe I never was used to a 'study lifestyle'. I asked help maybe 3 years ago, it's not helping massively or doesn't have this big sudden impact but just having SOMETHING to keep you in check or atleast talking about stuff you were supossed to do and should do kinda keeps it in the back of your mind. And then you slowely improve over the years I guess, you don't really notice it because it goes so slowely. This year i've managed to pass all classes so far so am pretty much guarenteed to pass (if I keep on working). I guess what I'm trying to say is just keep on trying if you want it. Theres a million different arrangements setup in the Netherlands that can help you with assistence and money and what not, you could literally just call the Amsterdam town hall and tell the person on the phone you're looking for some assistence with whatever.. getting your shit together, fitting in and trying to do your studies, ask if theres some kind of local iniative. They'll set you up with someone and that someone will set you up with figuring out how to do it all for free etc and finding an organisation. it's kinda easy.

[@patjobs]

Thank you for the advice. I haven't heard of anything like this? I saw in Utrecht that they had a school for people trying to catch up (quite expensive), but nothing like what you're describing. I imagine it would be fully in Dutch, and I'm definitely not fluent yet...

[@Kup1208]

Hi! Great video! Heard you stated that because you are above the age of 23, you had an advantage in regards of finding accommodation. Do you mind explaining to me what are the benefits that you get for being over 23? Im 22 and will probably move next year at 23, and knowledge about how to handle the housis crisis would be amazing, thanks in advance!

[@patjobs]

Hi! Read up about the housing benefits: 23+ gets back 405+ euro each month up to a basic rent of 810 euro, 22 u are not eligible www.government.nl/topics/housing/rented-housing/applying-for-housing-benefit

[@Kup1208]

@@patjobs ill be arriving next year, when ill already be 23. Thanks alot for the info, super helpful!

[@patjobs]

@@Kup1208np, good luck!

[@TransScootsMcGoots]

How did you afford to pay for school? I've looked at costs before and the out of EU costs seem so expensive. I would love to go to school there but the tuition costs seem so prohibitive.

[@patjobs]

Unfortunately this is the reality for international students. The answer is simply that I don't have to pay the full rate. I will talk about how in the next video (it is not something everyone can do) However, even if I had to pay the full tuition, it is still several thousand dollars cheaper than what I was paying for university in Washington state. NL ~ $10,000 per year WA = ~$14,000 per year for in-state Then also housing is much cheaper in NL for students. In WA I worked about 30 hours per week + side jobs, and my family helped pay for my room next to the uni, but I was always responsible for paying tuition, food, anything else, etc.

[@hape3862]

Come to Germany! Our Universities are tuition free even for international students.

[@TheMrak90210]

Hey Pat, great stories, keep them coming, I also had to move from my home countries, twice. I'm currently in Amsterdam (I think really close to your studio apartment) trying to make new friends but that is really hard, lets meet up sometime and hangout.

[@patjobs]

Hey man, would love to say hi sometime. I made a discord server, link should be in the description

[@CodyMoore74]

I too have seen videos from Not Just Bikes and others and have seriously considered doing what you are doing. Is this something you think is worth it? Is what they rave about the Netherlands true?

[@patjobs]

For me it was worth it, I can't say for sure that it would be the same for everyone. I don't know if everything people "rave" about the netherlands would be true or not, I'm not sure what those things are exactly... Generally for me I feel more relaxed and it's easier for me to handle daily life, which makes me more content but not necessarily happier, since I am very isolated as a foreigner

[@Mrevolva]

:D fun times

[@patjobs]

:D

[@flowgood123]

Are you sabotaging yourself with parting and having fun.?

[@patjobs]

maybe

[@captainchaos3667]

Were there also actually any Dutch people there? 😂

[@patjobs]

no! lol

[@jbird4478]

Seems like you took this opportunity to get out of your shell a bit. Good for you. On a sidenote, for your romantic bike rides, you'll find that Dutch girls don't have an issue with a guy taking the backseat. We're practically born on bikes, and it's not seen as emasculating or anything.

[@patjobs]

I love this so much about the Dutch lol

[@MMOMunkar]

It looks like youre doing well for yourself! If you ever feel lonely, feel free to message me. I'm Dutch myself and I am always open for meeting new people.

[@patjobs]

Will do! thanks!