From São Paulo to the Netherlands. Fabricio’s journey with WAES

“I arrived on the 15th of November, and one week later I started at WAES,” he recalls. “I still remember stepping out of the airport and seeing the absolutely gray sky, the cold wind, and the flat landscapes. It felt like entering a completely different world.”

Life before WAES

Before moving, Fabricio worked as a software engineer at Itaú Unibanco, a major Brazilian bank, focusing on authentication platforms. Already deep into the pandemic, he worked remotely and felt the pressure of a heavy workload. A message on LinkedIn unexpectedly changed everything.

“I wasn’t planning to move abroad. When WAES contacted me, I just wanted to check if my English was good enough. Suddenly I had passed the interviews and received an offer. It was a surprise in the best way.”

Adapting to a new country

Arriving in the Netherlands alone was both exciting and challenging. From the weather and food to speaking English every day, everything required adjustment.

“The first year was the hardest, but suddenly everything starts to feel natural. You learn the language, you get used to the culture, and things flow. Now it feels like home.”

A big part of that transition was the support from the WAES community.

“At the short-stay hotel where many new consultants start, I met people who were going through the same process. Many Brazilians arrived around the same time, so we built friendships that last until today. That’s how my network started.”

Community & Connection

WAES played an accelerative role in shaping Fabricio’s social and professional life. From bouldering to hackathons, running groups, and the well-known WAES community events, bonding happened naturally.

“We created a whole bouldering hype inside WAES,” he laughs. “Every week we went together, and more colleagues joined. Sports, events, and simply spending time together helped me make real friendships.”

Working at WAES

Over four years, Fabricio contributed to four different client projects, starting in authentication at TomTom and later supporting multiple teams within Bol.com, from advertising to logistics, and now Kobo Plus.

“What I appreciated is how supportive both WAES and the clients were. Even though we are external consultants, I always felt included. You feel part of the team.”

Through workshops, tech events, and diverse project challenges, he strengthened his skills and gained confidence working fully in English.

Taking the next step

Now Fabricio is preparing for his next chapter, joining Adyen, where he will work on the onboarding platform alongside former WAES colleague and friend, Tato.

“I felt it was the right moment. After four projects and many experiences, I wanted to work on a long-term product environment and continue growing my career. Adyen is also international, and they have an office in Brazil, so who knows, maybe one day I will work from there.”

A future built on community

Beyond professional development, living in the Netherlands changed his perspective on life.

“I saw many colleagues arrive here, build families, and create a stable life. People who never imagined becoming parents in Brazil are now raising kids here. The environment really supports that, and it opens your mind. I can say that now, someday, I can see myself becoming a father.”