Maya Pineda Jacobs, her double surname betrays her partial South American heritage, worked at our embassy for the last 6 months as Government Trainee; participating in a two year program with 4 different working environments within the whole of Dutch government.

Maya’s assignment was to build a network with the civil society and NGO community in Chile with a focus on environment and social equity in the mining and energy sectors.

What did you learn working for six months at the Dutch Embassy?

“I learned a lot about the work of a Dutch Embassy in a foreign country and loved to experience working in a different culture. Within the embassy and also outside. The emphasis on relationships instead of content is a cultural difference that I actually liked a lot, and seemed to fit with my own preferences”. “What was a big surprise for me, was the short planning period here in Chile” said Maya. This is different for Dutch people who are used to plan ahead at least a few months. In Chile, Maya organized a field visit together with a new NGO and with a planning horizon of only 3 weeks, including inviting colleagues from other EU member states, to visit a river basin that suffers greatly from mining pollution.

Did the embassy also learn something from you? 

“Connecting with civil society is not only necessary and useful, but it is also a lot of fun”. According to Maya, the people working and volunteering at NGO’s are nice to talk to, and their enthusiasm and drive are inspiring as well. Connecting to them is an experience to remember and cherish. “I hope the connection I made will be maintained by my colleagues at the ambassy and expect them to have fun and be inspired as well”. 

What are you going to miss from the Embassy / Chile?

“I will miss the close contact with colleagues that actually come to the office on a daily basis. I loved the easy interaction during the day and the lack of boundaries allowing me to talk to each other formally and informally”.

She spoke with organizations and people from all over Chile, with different professions, backgrounds and perspectives. “I will miss the diversity this work has brought me. I learned a lot by talking to so many people, which has really given me a broad perspective of this beautiful country.”

We at the embassy are sad to see Maya go back to the Netherlands with so much work still to be done in Chile. We will do our best to maintain the network Maya created in the NGO community.
 

Vivian Stoffers was the embassy’s sr. Consular Officer and served Chileans, Dutch nationals and clients from other nationalities professionally and friendly with their consular questions. Her trademark is her big smile and she always went the extra mile to help clients, resulting in very high scores of client satisfaction. Before she became sr. Consular Officer, she was our management assistant and was also key in creating our Instagram page and growing our following on our social media.

What achievements are you most proud of, looking back at your complete career at the embassy?

“In 2022 I organized, the first Chilean Tulip Day at the presidential palaca la Moneda. Working together with three Dutch-Chilean companies from the sector and it was an instant and big success. The 2023 edition I organized with help of Holland House, with even more tulips available for the people of Santiago. However complex the organization, the gratitude and happiness created by fresh tulips for the people made it more than worthwhile.”

“The visit of the prime minister of Curacao in 2022 for the inauguration of president Boric, was another highlight and challenge. Dealing with strict protocol and constant changes and innovative solutions made the whole process like top sports.”     

Do you have a tip for your successor Susanna?

“Enjoy the fact that very day will be different, the variety of clients and the chance to really make a difference in the life of people. Always keep your calm because there is always a solution, and you have great colleagues that are ready to help you.”

What are you going to miss and what won’t you miss?

“I’m going to miss being able to help Dutch citizens that get into trouble in Chile because I understand the importance to be a listening ear, provide solutions and support. I’m going to miss my colleagues and the Dutch treats that every now and again appear in the office. Like drop (licorice) and stroopwafels. What I am not going to miss is the enormous amount of administrative tasks necessary for this kind of work.”

The colleagues at the embassy will miss Vivians big smile, creativity and having her dog ‘Boef’ at the embassy. We are sad to see her go but wish her all the best in her future adventures.