By Alexandra Paucescu
‘Everything happens for a reason’… I always believed that… and it is one of Beatriz Piza’s sayings too, by which she guides her life, while embracing the wisdom and sense of purpose within it.
From her Dutch home she talked to me about her life now, together with her diplomat husband, Arnoldo, and 24 year-old daughter, Sofia, but also about how she sees her future.
She proudly portraits herself as a ‘mom, wife, architect and site developer’. Born in Madrid from a Spanish mother and a father from Costa Rica, she grew up within a fun, large, loving family, who still see each other weekly. She studied architecture/urbanism while working since she was 17. She opened her own consulting firm before graduating and got involved from architectural projects and coastal resort development, to real estate mega-projects and tourist marinas.
Ms. Piza tells me that architecture has been her lifelong passion: ‘I always wanted to be an architect. My 3rd grade notebooks were full of house plans and I was fascinated with buildings and how people moved and lived within them. I strongly believe spaces should inspire people to function at their best, to grow and evolve. But I did think of astronomy at some point’.
She enjoys travelling, writing, playing the guitar, drawing, ballet, learning about ancient civilizations, philosophies and religions, but most of all, she enjoys getting to know people. She lived in New York during her teenage years, while her father was ambassador of Costa Rica to the UN. New York is dear to her heart and so is Spain, but she is totally in love with Costa Rica, home to family and friends, ‘with its beaches, volcanoes, forests, fauna, the “Ticos” (Costa Ricans) and “Gallo Pinto” (rice & beans)’. She adds: ‘Home is also where your heart is, so first and foremost, mine is always where Arnoldo and Sofia are’.
When it comes to talking about The Netherlands, her current country of residence, she says candidly: ‘we arrived here almost three years ago and we have enjoyed it immensely’. Although it is her first time as a diplomatic spouse, she fully enjoys her role and understands its dynamics. As part of the Administrative Committee of the Ambassador’s Spouses Association (ASA) for over 2 years, she is a very active member of the diplomatic community in The Hague. Having the former recollections of being a diplomatic child abroad, she reflects on both experiences: ‘I feel that the international diplomatic community is very open, friendly and warm.
Communication and conflict resolution are the keys. We support each other, building wonderful friendships along the way, lasting beyond our posts. If I compare it to my father’s post at the UN, I believe that now diplomatic life is less formal and more agile, due to technological advances in IT, which facilitate communication at all levels. I also admire that now there is more participation of female ambassadors. Meanwhile, I think people should know that diplomatic spouses are down-to-earth persons, who struggle just like anyone else. Spouses support and respect the key roles their diplomat partners play. Most of them sacrifice and leave behind brilliant professions and careers, so I would like people to admire their adaptability, their intelligence and comprehension of the world we live in, as well as the challenges we all face’.
Arriving in The Hague during Covid times, Ms. Piza also found time and determination to finish a Master´s Degree in Project Management, studying online, most of the time at late hours into the night. ‘It was a life-long dream of mine. I strongly believe it is never too late, so I was able to graduate with the incredible support of my family and so many others, as well. Having completed that dream, I see myself in the future teaching others about my passions: site analysis and master planning, sustainable design and development’.
Ms. Piza enjoys her time in the Netherlands and she considers herself incredibly lucky to be living this experience together as a family. ‘I am grateful that our daughter is able to be with us, to share in person our experiences and anecdotes, while she grows and evolves on her own path. It is a blessing we do not take for granted. But I do have one regret though, about not learning to speak Dutch as soon as we arrived, since I had to focus on my Master’s Degree. To me, learning the local language of the country that so kindly hosts us is a sign of respect, but it would also allow me to connect more with its people, enriching my understanding of the Dutch culture. Thankfully, it is never too late to begin’.
In the wisdom of her life motto, she understands there is a purpose in all things that happen to us, while being aware that sometimes some may not be convenient as well. She states: ‘In the end, it is up to us, we need to work hard to make dreams a reality and not just expect that they will come our way’.
As the saying goes… ‘Happy are those who dream, and are ready to pay the price to make dreams come true…’
About the author:
Alexandra Paucescu- Author of “Just a Diplomatic Spouse” Romanian, management graduate with a Master in business, cultural diplomacy and international relations studies.
She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian, gives lectures on intercultural communication and is an active NGO volunteer.
