Every year, student organisations ISO, LSVb and the Erasmus Student Network commission a survey on the wellbeing of international students in the Netherlands. This year’s survey, carried out by ResearchNed, was completed by 700 respondents.
International students are mostly positive about their education. More than eight in ten are satisfied or very satisfied with their teachers, whose English proficiency is praised as well. In general, students are well informed about their degree programmes and admission requirements.
Unhappy with DUO
Still, communication regarding practical and administrative matters could be improved, internationals feel, as information is not always available in English. Respondents were particularly unhappy with the Education Executive Agency (DUO), reporting that it was often unclear whether they were entitled to student finance, and that they regularly faced long waiting times and language barriers.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that a Tilburg-based company is taking advantage of this situation. For a hefty fee, this company ‘assists’ international students with their student finance applications. This costs these students hundreds – sometimes even thousands – of euros. Although the Public Prosecution Service described the company’s methods as “morally questionable”, it also noted that they weren’t illegal.
Housing
Many international students also struggle to find housing: one in three said it took them more than three months to find a room. They regularly experience discrimination, with some advertisements explicitly stating ‘no internationals’. More than half believe they pay higher rents than Dutch students, and some have even fallen victim to fraud.
A number of students felt that education institutions should take more responsibility. One respondent noted that they shouldn’t accept students if they’re unable to accommodate them.
Excluded
Many international students are positive about their social lives, especially when it comes to their relationships with other internationals. But while study associations are usually open to non-Dutch members, student associations are much less accessible.
Internationals often struggle to connect with their Dutch peers. They sometimes feel excluded when Dutch is spoken and when they notice that Dutch students prefer to work together among themselves.
Not at home
On average, international students give their mental health a 6.8 out of 10. This is comparable to Dutch students. They experience friendship and happiness, but a third don’t feel at home in the Netherlands.
Nevertheless, more than half of international students are considering staying in the Netherlands after graduation, or returning at some point in the future. Among other things, they like the Netherlands for its healthy work-life balance. A frequently cited reason for not staying is the Dutch weather.