In my first month as an exchange students I met so much different cultures. I’m impressed by the culture differences that we all have. We are all human beings, but we all look different. Every culture has his own beauty. I want to show this beauty by my new photography project: International Uniqueness. In this project, I’m going to photograph people from different cultures. They all have their own stories about their country. This project is going to be made in Oulu, Finland.

We start with Siobian Heiblom from The Netherlands.

”Whenever I am abroad, I miss certain Dutch things. Like Hagelslag -small pieces of chocolate we eat on bread, even in the morning and of course I miss cheese. I am such a cliché, but the cheese in other counties just isn’t the same. I also miss how close everything is. In less than an hour I go from the old canals of Amsterdam to the modern blue bridge in Rotterdam. When I go abroad people are talking about going to a different city: “It’s only a two hours drive!” and I am shocked. Two hours, just to get to the next city? I am already in Belgium when I drive two hours. The last thing I miss but also kind of hate is the mindset of the Dutch. We’re known to be very direct and I think compared to other cultures it’s true. We have an opinion about pretty much everything and feel a strong need to share it. I am trying to be a little less Dutch in that way, but it is hard. Before I know it the words are rolling over my tong and there is no way to stop it. I think it is good to share your opinion, but it is also tiring to always say what you think. Especially for people who are not used to it.”