At first glance, many mistake Justin Smit for a Dutch doctor working in Aruba, attending to patients in the hospital. However, as soon as he speaks and greets, the surprise comes when they realize he speaks Papiamento fluently. How could this be? Simply put, Dr. Justin Smit is a native son, an Aruban.

Like many other young people from Aruba, Justin went to the Netherlands to further his studies, in his case, in the field of medicine. He left as a student at the age of 18 in 2003 and returned exactly 18 years later as a father and husband with his new family and with his medical degree as a general surgeon (Gastrointestinal) to give back his knowledge to his country. This is a touching story of Dr. Justin Smit, a native son, proud to have his family and his patients in his homeland.

Returning to Aruba was an important decision for Justin and his family. While he remembers his years growing up in Aruba with weekends at the beach, playing football, and participating in school activities, on the other hand, Aruba was something entirely new for his wife and young children. The reality is that life in the Netherlands compared to Aruba is completely different. Justin wanted to bring that 'magic' of growing up in Aruba to his family as well. The main reason for returning to Aruba was the added value of being able to raise their children in Aruba together with his wife.

When Justin returned, his eldest child was 3 years old, and the second just over 1 year old, so he had already experienced family life in a large country alongside work. The biggest difference is the long distances required to get from one place to another in the Netherlands, which is incomparable to Aruba. Meanwhile, their youngest daughter was born in Aruba, and now as a family with three young children; Tammo (6), Bouke (4), and Fieke (1), the possibility of finding a balance between work and family life is more achievable. "Besides my work as a doctor, my wife works in sales in Aruba, but when we are home, we dedicate our lives to our children." After dinner, I spend time with them, whether it's riding bikes, playing football, or just being there for them before they go to bed. Weekends are always like a mini-vacation: whether we go to the beach, hike, go to a playground, watch movies, or visit family.

"I speak Dutch with my children at home because I believe it is important for them to know Dutch as it will help them with work and school in the future. But my eldest already speaks Papiamento, and I feel proud that Papiamento is already part of their language."

"Many people think I am a Dutch doctor, but I am an Aruban, and I feel very proud of that. This is my home. My father was born in Suriname but grew up in Aruba. He never lived in the Netherlands even though his father was Dutch. My mother is an Arends. In the Netherlands, the Dutch definitely do not see me as Dutch.

I am proud that as a professional, I returned to Aruba. It makes me proud when my patients are happy with their treatment and that an Aruban doctor could give them the help they needed here. I am proud because it is not always that professionals from the land choose to return home. Surely I believe we need to stimulate our talents, especially doctors, to return to Aruba and share their knowledge and experience with our community."