A Mother’s Day to remember: Surprise reunions for six international engineers in the Netherlands

Every day, thousands of international professionals contribute their skills to the Dutch economy - often far away from their families. Especially on days like Mother’s Day, that emotional distance becomes tangible. To highlight the human side of relocating for work, technical talent partner Xelvin arranged a surprise that none of the participants saw coming.

Captured in a moving short film

The reunions were captured in a short documentary, revealing not only powerful emotions but also the deeply personal side of working abroad. From stunned reactions to joyful embraces, the video offers a rare glimpse into the lives of expats far from home.

“My mother has always supported me.”

One of the engineers, Tiaan, has been living in the Netherlands since last year. “My mother has always supported my decision to come here,” he says. “But missing her has been the hardest part. I never imagined she’d be standing in front of me, here in the Netherlands.”

His mother shares the emotion: “I’m proud of him, but it’s hard being so far away. This is a moment I will never forget.”

More than a job: the power of feeling at home

Xelvin is a Dutch consultancy which supports international engineers from countries like South Africa, India and South America in building careers in the Netherlands, offering full-service relocation support. But that support goes beyond job placement - it’s about well-being, connection, and helping people truly feel at home.

“Work happiness isn’t just about having a good job,” says Alrik Lamberink of Xelvin. “It’s about having a good life. This Mother’s Day initiative is one example of how we try to support our people in a meaningful way.

A reminder of what really matters

In a world where distance is often a reality of modern work, Xelvin’s Mother’s Day reunion reminds us of something universal: the importance of feeling seen, supported, and connected - no matter where you are.