Side projects are my creative playground. They let me explore emerging technologies, experiment with bold ideas, and solve real problems I encounter daily.
Each app reflects a genuine curiosity or challenge, making development both meaningful and deeply motivating. Building outside work constraints keeps my technical skills sharp while fueling continuous learning and creative growth.
A flashcards app that teaches the 2,000 most common Dutch words so expats can make fast, practical progress. Built and iterated publicly with real user feedback.
The Problem
I lived in Amsterdam for six years without learning Dutch. When I finally decided to start, I wanted an approach that was effective, time-efficient, and focused on daily life, not a 'learn forever' experience.
Apps like Duolingo are widely available and polished, but progress feels slow because you spend time on sentences and vocabulary that don't improve everyday communication early enough. The experience is heavily gamified, which pushes you toward 'keeping the streak' rather than retention and practical fluency. After weeks of use, too little stuck.
The Solution
I built a flashcards-based app designed around a simple idea: Learn the most useful words first.
Curated 2,000 most common Dutch words to maximize real-life usefulness
A Pareto-style approach: prioritize the small set of vocabulary that unlocks the majority of everyday understanding
Gamified practice, but optimized for learning rather than endless engagement
Fast repetition flow: users can practice consistently in short sessions
Key Features
High-Frequency Word List
Practical-first curriculum focused on the words you'll actually use
Flashcards with Examples
Anchor meaning in context with real example sentences
Pronunciation Playback
Connect reading to speaking with native audio
Clean, Fast UI
Focused on speed and repetition, not distractions
Impact
I shared the app publicly on LinkedIn and saw strong interest from real users. Feedback led to iterative improvements, including adding pronunciation, more examples per card, and improving the design to feel more modern and usable. The result became both a practical tool for learners and a personal 'lab' to practice building and shipping quickly.
Let's Build Something Together
Whether you're a fellow builder, a curious learner, or someone seeking inspiration for useful apps, I'd love to connect and explore new ideas together.
I'm excited to share this journey with like-minded creators and problem-solvers who believe in building things that matter.