From Holland to Holland - de Boer made journey to US in 1956

It was 1956, and de Boer had the challenge of assimilating into his new life here in Holland, coming from my country Holland.

"Immigrants tend to straddle two countries and two cultures," he wrote. "There is a sense of ambivilence toward their adopted country and their country of origin — a sense they belong to both, yet fully to neither ... This feeling of ambivilences grows acutely stronger as I become older.

"But there is also a positive side to that growing ambiguity. As a result of the emigration experience, I have become more of a world citizen by having experienced two different cultures."

De Boer graduated from Michigan State University and Boston University, and pursued a career as a collegiate and professional soccer coach. These days, back in Holland, he has written and published a book called, "Rough Seas: An Immigrant's Journey from Holland to Holland."

He wrote, "The story of my youth, a time capsule from another era that links the past to the present, hopefully will help my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and family members who follow to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the immigrant experience."

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