Marta Galano: I love the city and the people living in it!
A world apart from Buenos Aires
When Marta Galano first arrived in The Hague, she felt as though she had stepped into another world. The quiet streets, the relentless old North sea close to her home , and the bicycles filling every corner of the city were a shock after the noise and movement of her home city. But as she settled in, what stood out most was the freedom she felt here. “Watching kids as young as eight cycling to school alone, and seeing people in their eighties still pedalling through the city, that is when I realised how free, open and diverse life here really is,” she says.
Taking the leap as a LOVEPAT, and finding the right choice
For Marta, the decision to move to the Netherlands was both personal and practical. She had met her Dutch partner while travelling to Europe for music festivals and concerts, something she does every year. For a time, they lived with one foot on each continent, but eventually she faced a choice: keep moving back and forth or take the leap and relocate. Her Italian passport made the move easier on paper, but emotionally it was a jump into the unknown. “I asked myself, what is the worst thing that can happen? And I decided to go,” she recalls. “Looking back now, it was the right choice.”, she says with a rush of energy.
“The freedom of moving through this city by bike, the international atmosphere, feeling safe at any time of the day, seeing children ride on their own and the elderly doing the same, it feels like the definition of quality of life.”
Discovering a slower, freer pace of life
That freedom is what Marta loves most about life in The Hague. Coming from a place where cars dominate the streets and crossing the city can take hours, she was struck by how naturally people move here. The connection to nature is another part she cherishes. Within fifteen minutes, she can cycle to Scheveningen and breathe in the salty air, something she never imagined when she lived in Argentina’s capital. “It still amazes me that I can leave the city centre and be by the sea in no time. It is a completely different pace of life.”
Turning her own journey into supporting others
Professionally, Marta channels her own journey into a mission that is both practical and deeply personal. She works at Eurohome, a relocation services company within the Voerman Group that has been helping internationals build new lives in the Netherlands for decades. But for Marta, it is never just a checklist of logistics. As she describes the experience of helping couples, singles and families find homes, schools and stability, her eyes light up. “We take care of everything so that people feel at home, even before we have unpacked their boxes,” she says practically glowing in passion. The joy she gets from her work is palpable. This is not just a job, it is her way of giving back, of easing the transition for others in ways she wishes she had when she arrived.
A familiar face across the city
Marta is known throughout the international community for her boundless energy and natural ability to connect. Whether it is at welcome fairs, international schools, municipal events, or housing seminars, she is a familiar face, always in motion and always in conversation. She embodies what The Hague International Centre means by “connecting internationals” not only by organising the formalities, but by offering the warmth, empathy, and spark that make people feel truly welcome.
“Helping someone get their BSN, giving them tips about the city, watching them walk into their new house, and seeing the relief on their faces, that is when I know I belong here too.”
Dutch life, Marta-style
Beyond work, Marta has embraced Dutch tastes and traditions in ways that reflect her own style. Having given up red meat more than a decade ago, she swears by vegetarian bitterballen and orders fries with satay sauce and extra onions whenever she gets the chance. She has also developed a fondness for the Dutch word “gezellig”, a term she could never directly translate into Spanish but now uses naturally to describe a cosy, content moment. “I joke about how I survived my first Dutch winter only because of gezelligheid,” she says.
Joining in on King’s Day and connection
Her perspective on Dutch celebrations has shifted too. She used to avoid King’s Day because of its crowds and chaos, but now it has become one of her favourite times of the year. “Once I joined in, I understood the joy,” Marta says. “There is a togetherness that day, even among strangers. People who might never talk to each other share drinks, hugs, and laughter. It reminds me of Argentina when we won the World Cup, when the whole country was united for a moment.”
Helping people feel at home before they arrive
Marta’s connection to The Hague International Centre came through her work with Eurohome and Voerman, arranging appointments for expats to handle their registrations and paperwork. Over time, that formal relationship grew into a deeper appreciation for the Centre’s role in helping newcomers settle. “They welcome everyone, explain how the city works, help with everything from housing to language, and give people a sense of belonging,” she says. “It is not just about getting documents sorted. It is about making people feel like they can really start their lives here.”
A place that becomes your own
For Marta, The Hague represents freedom, diversity, and connection. It is a city where she can spend her days helping families from around the world settle, then cycle to the beach for a moment of peace by the sea. “You always find your way here, and you always find something that feels like yours,” she says.
The Hague International Centre 15 Year Anniversary
If you are new to The Hague, supporting newcomers, or simply curious about what makes this city so international, visit the The Hague International Centre. Whether you are looking for information, inspiration, or collaboration, it is the place to start. Over the past 15 years, the International Centre has welcomed 60.000 internationals from all walks of life, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences.
