‘Past Deventer is where I am home’

This article is part of a series called “Twente Leeft!” (Twente Lives!). You can read personal stories here about living and working in Twente. Twente is a nice place to be, according to the talents we meet. The beautiful nature, space, the down-to-earth mentality; they all characterise Twente. There are also plenty of career opportunities! Twente has many innovative, international and future-proof companies that are desperate for staff. Want to know what Twente has to offer? You can find Frank Willems's story below.

“I thoroughly enjoy my work”, she says, sitting in a room at the Gieterij in Hengelo. This room will be empty for the next few weeks because of the holidays. "I just attended the graduation ceremony. I am so proud of my students when I see how they have all developed!"

She can also be proud of herself; she completed her four-year training to become a Dutch teacher and will start her master's degree in September. "I am 55 now, but I think getting these opportunities at the ROC is great. I started working here 15 and a half years ago as an executive secretary. I saw the teachers work, and I started thinking about becoming a teacher myself. And look where I am now; transferring knowledge and creating new contacts with people is the best thing there is. The ROC provides high-quality education and helps people on their way."

Karin now lives in Wierden. Both of her parents are from Enschede, but she moved 14 times in her childhood. She was born in Hoogeveen, but also lived in Friesland, Utrecht and Wijhe. “My father worked for Ahold, and we moved whenever he was transferred. That is just how it was. I went to secondary school in Doorn. I met my (now ex) husband, who came from Wierden, and I still live there. I feel most at home in Twente because my parents are from here, I have family here and have lived here for years. My work is here, my daughter and two sons live here, and the people here are friendlier than in other parts of the country. All this makes me feel at home any time I pass by Deventer.

She regularly travels ‘past Deventer' in the other direction in the mornings because she also teaches in other parts of the country. "From Den Helder to all the way in the South”, says Karin, who uses having lived in so many places in the Netherlands to her advantage. “I adapt easily and get along with all sorts of people.”

She likes cooking Italian and reading in her spare time. Gardening is also one of her hobbies. “I won’t have much time because I will be studying again soon, but those two years will pass in a flash. Once again: I am happy to have the opportunity! The ROC is a great employer.”

And there are many more great employers in Twente as far as she is concerned. She mentions VDL and Vivochem, Eaton and Kees Smit as examples. “Students do not have to leave the region for their studies or a job. There are so many opportunities here, and there are so many great companies. To start your career at, but also to grow."

Twente Lives

Twente is the ideal place to live and work, according to the talents we meet. Want to know why? Read personal stories about living and making a career in Twente on twente.com/twente-leeft. Want to look for a job immediately? Then take a look at our extensive job site.