Goodbye, Wageningen: The Chapter I Didn’t Know I Needed

After two years in Wageningen, it’s finally time to say goodbye. Two years ago, I arrived here as someone who had spent almost six years as a full-time working professional. Going back to being a student after years of working was not an easy decision. I had no idea what these two years would bring, or just how much they would change me.

Today, I’m leaving Wageningen with a master’s degree in Food Quality Management, but I know I’m taking home much more than a degree. I’m taking home memories, friendships, lessons, confidence, and a version of myself that I didn’t know existed.

I came here to study. I ended up learning about life.

Of course, there were lectures, assignments, exams, group projects and deadlines. But somewhere between all of that, I learned how to build a life in a completely new country.

Living in the Netherlands taught me to plan ahead. Here, “let’s meet tomorrow” doesn’t always work when everyone’s calendar is already booked weeks in advance! I also got used to cycling almost everywhere and began to appreciate the quieter moments — walks through nature, evenings by the canals, beautiful sunsets and the simple joy of being surrounded by so much greenery.

Budgeting became another part of everyday life. I discovered the joy of thrifting and learned that making a home doesn’t have to mean buying everything new. Sometimes, a free piece of furniture, a picnic in the park, an evening with friends by the canal or a beautiful sunset can bring more happiness than any purchase.

The colourful Dutch calendar was another thing I grew to love. From seasonal celebrations to local events, there was always something to look forward to. Planning things in advance also taught me to make time for the people and experiences that matter.

Perhaps the biggest lesson was learning to step outside my comfort zone. I met people I would never have crossed paths with otherwise, joined events, explored unfamiliar places and said yes to experiences I might once have hesitated to try. Looking back, some of my favourite memories came from simply being willing to step beyond what felt familiar.

Slowly, without even realising it, I became more independent.

Somewhere along the way, I found a new version of me

When I first came here, I thought the biggest challenge would be academics.

It wasn’t.

The bigger challenge was starting over.

Moving from a familiar routine and almost six years of working life into student life in another country meant learning to navigate uncertainty all over again. There were days when everything felt exciting, and there were also days when I questioned whether I had made the right decision.

But I think both kinds of days were necessary.

Wageningen taught me that growth doesn’t always feel like growth while you’re going through it. Sometimes, growth looks like being confused, figuring things out, making mistakes, trying again and eventually realising, “Hey, I can actually do this.”

I came here thinking I was simply going back to university. Somewhere along the way, I realised I was also changing as a person.

I became more comfortable being on my own, more open to meeting new people, more willing to try things outside my comfort zone and more appreciative of the little things that make life meaningful.

And then came my internship

My internship at JDE Peet’s became another important chapter of this journey. It was my first real exposure to European working culture, and I learned far more than I expected.

One of my biggest lessons was to focus on deliverables rather than simply watching the clock. I also discovered that taking a break doesn’t mean you’re not hardworking. Asking endless questions became another part of my learning process, and I realised there is no shame in being curious.

Along the way, I also learned to prioritise my health. Having people around me who became my work buddies made the experience even more enjoyable.

Completing my internship with a score of 8.5 was definitely special, but what made it even more meaningful were the people who guided me, trusted me and made me feel like part of the team.

It was also my first opportunity to experience what working in Europe felt like after years of working elsewhere, and it gave me a completely new perspective on the kind of professional I want to become.

Most importantly, the experience reminded me why I chose to return to the field of food safety and quality in the first place.

The people made this chapter what it was

No chapter is ever written alone.

To the friends I made here, thank you for the spontaneous plans, the long conversations, the park picnics, the canal evenings, the celebrations, the stressful study sessions and all the little moments in between.

Some friendships started with a simple “Hi” and somehow became an important part of my life.

Thank you for making a foreign country feel a little more like home.

And to my family (amma, acha, kochu and ettitti), this journey would not have been possible without you. Thank you for believing in me when I decided to leave a comfortable professional life and become a student again. Thank you for cheering me on from afar, listening to all my stories, celebrating my little wins and being there through the difficult days. Even though you were thousands of kilometres away, you were always a part of this journey.

Moving to another country is exciting, but it can also be lonely. Knowing that I had people rooting for me made the difficult days a little easier.

There were so many moments when I wished the people I love could experience what I was experiencing here, and in many ways, their support made it possible for me to enjoy this journey even from thousands of kilometres away.

Two years later…

Two years ago, I came to Wageningen as a professional trying to become a student again.

Today, I’m leaving as a graduate and stepping back into professional life — this time in the Netherlands, as a Quality Assurance Category Specialist.

It feels a little surreal to think about it.

I left a full-time career to become a student. Over the past two years, I’ve learned, grown and figured myself out in a completely new country. Now, I’m starting my professional journey again, in the very place where this chapter began.

But I don’t think I’m the same person who arrived here.

I’m more independent, more open, more willing to try new things and definitely more comfortable with uncertainty. I’ve learned to appreciate the little things, to step outside my comfort zone and, most importantly, to trust myself a little more.

And, of course, I’m probably a lot better at cycling. 🚲

There is still so much I don’t know about what comes next. There are new responsibilities, new people, new challenges and another learning curve waiting for me.

But maybe that’s okay.

Because if these two years have taught me anything, it’s that you don’t always need to know exactly where you’re going. Sometimes, you just need to take the next step and trust that you’ll figure out the rest along the way.

Goodbye, Wageningen

Thank you for the lessons, the challenges, the friendships, the sunsets, the bicycles, the adventures and all the little moments that made these two years feel like a lifetime.

Thank you for giving me a place to grow, not just academically or professionally, but personally.

I arrived here with one version of myself, and I’m leaving with another.

Yet another chapter accomplished. 🎓

Now, it’s time to turn the page and begin a new one.

A new job. A new role. A new phase of professional life.

And hopefully, many more lessons along the way.

Here’s to everything that has been, everything that is coming, and the courage to keep saying yes to new beginnings. ❤️

And if you’re reading this and we haven’t connected yet, I’d love to stay connected. You can find me on LinkedIn and Instagram. I’m always happy to connect, share experiences, exchange ideas, or simply have a chat.

If I can ever help someone starting their journey in Wageningen, the Netherlands, or food safety and quality, I’m always happy to help.

Goodbye, Wageningen. Thank you for everything. ❤️

Yours

Devi