How I decided to become a cook in Belgium

“In my late teens, when I was deciding where to continue my education/which career to choose/to pursue, I wanted to pursue hotel management, but my parents did not support my choice. On the one hand, it was much too expensive and on the other, “boys don't cook” (at least not in the Marwadi community where I come from). Being so young, I didn't have much say in the decision and I choose business studies, mostly because I did not like science and this was the only other interesting option. After getting my degree I spent many years working for a large company as head of the HR department, before fate decided she wasn’t done with me and offered me another chance.The difference this time was that the decision was up to me. Nobody could make it for me … and I had decided: I’m taking this chance. I need to try and live my dream.

The Tipping point

I had enrolled in a entrepreneurs group here. I was visiting this group for three months and found this group interesting. I had enrolled for a Business Modeling Canvas, an ideation session. I was so disappointed that I didn't wanted to go for the session. But I bring Marwadi (a community in India) I decided to go for the session since I had paid for it.

The plan and the challenges

The plan and why it didn’t happen that way

Before leaving for Europe, we inquired about possibilities of work for me once there. Aasha would have her hands full with her work at the university, our daughter would go to school, and I didn’t plan on sitting at home doing nothing. But things didn’t turn out quite as we had planned.Although I was told that my dependent spouse visa would allow me to work in Belgium, the reality here was that my Master’s degree suddenly became my own little prison, limiting my options to work in my current career field. In addition, since a lot of HR companies in Belgium work across the country, most of job openings required fluent Dutch and French, which I didn’t have upon arrival.

My story

It all started with a wish to fulfil my wife’s dream. Ashuwini wanted to continue her research at a PhD level and I wanted her to achieve her dreams. But it certainly wasn’t an easy decision - leaving our comfortable life in India behind and heading into the unknown European adventure with a four-year old daughter.