What’s it like to move from Brno to Amsterdam? Kuba, our DevOps Engineer, shares his story about relocating, starting a new life in the Netherlands, and what he loves most about his job. Read about how he tackled the challenges of moving, integrated into life in Amsterdam, and what advice he has for anyone considering a career move abroad.
Tell me something about yourself – how long have you been with Logex, and what exactly do you do?
I’ve been working at LOGEX for a year and a half as a DevOps Engineer. My job includes various tasks – from operational duties such as supporting developers, preparing applications for deployment, or solving issues in our Kubernetes clusters, to improving deployment processes and implementing new tools, configuring, and maintaining them, which especially came with the Nightingale project.
What were your beginnings like in the Brno office? What did you enjoy the most about the job?
The beginnings in the Brno office were great. I used to go to the office about once a month, and the atmosphere was always pleasant with excellent coffee. However, most of my team was based in the Netherlands from the start. When I joined, some processes, like application deployment, were still in their early stages. That gave me a lot of room for improvement, which I really enjoy. When I found something that could be improved, I would come up with a proposal, we discussed it as a team, and then I had the freedom to implement it.
The ability to focus on what you enjoy and do things properly instead of finding half-baked solutions is something I appreciate the most about LOGEX. I think it’s quite unique.
What motivated you to move to Amsterdam? Was it more of a career opportunity or a personal dream?
I fell in love with the Netherlands during a holiday. When I joined LOGEX, I mentioned that my dream was to work in Amsterdam one day. Originally, I planned this for several years later, but I eventually decided not to wait. I discussed it with Tim, who set concrete goals for me – such as finding savings in infrastructure. I came up with a plan, we discussed it regularly, and in the end, we achieved the set savings.
How did your relocation go? How did LOGEX help with it?
LOGEX supported me mainly by preparing the contract well in advance, which allowed me to start looking for housing. Finding a place was really challenging – there’s a major housing crisis in the Netherlands. I had to prove, for example, that my income was several times the rent and even write a motivation letter. Having a dog complicated things further. In the end, we had to hire a real estate agent to help. I also only realized after moving how financially demanding it is to have a car in the Netherlands. If I were to move again, I probably wouldn’t take the car. However, my colleagues gave me tips and were very helpful.
How would you describe your new life in Amsterdam? What do you enjoy most about the city?
Amsterdam is a beautiful city – great architecture, cleanliness, and well-maintained areas, even in surrounding villages. The cycling infrastructure is amazing, and you can get anywhere by bike. People are friendly and enthusiastic about their work.
Just outside the city, you have nature, national parks, beaches, forests, but also modern buildings, theaters, and landmarks. Everything is relatively close, which is a big advantage.
How is working in the Amsterdam office different from Brno?
My work and team have remained the same. The main difference is that I have more opportunities to attend company events and meet colleagues in person.
Do you see any benefits of your relocation for the company?
I’ve started learning Dutch, which will help me connect the teams in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands better. I speak Czech, English, and hopefully soon Dutch, so I’ll be able to work more effectively on international projects.
What advice would you give to someone considering relocating to another Logex office?
Find out everything you can about the country in advance – laws, taxes, insurance. If possible, start learning the language – even the basics help a lot. Be prepared for finding housing because it can be both time-consuming and financially demanding.
What are your plans for the future – either in Amsterdam or at LOGEX?
I want to stay in the Netherlands, find my own place, and start a family. At work, I’d like to continue improving processes and finding efficient solutions.
Would you like to say something to your colleagues or to people considering joining LOGEX?
LOGEX has fulfilled everything I hoped for. I appreciate that there’s space for your ideas and the ability to do things properly. If you’re considering working at LOGEX, definitely give it a try – you’ll have the freedom to focus on what you enjoy and the opportunity to grow.
