Tent City Created for International Students Due to Housing Crisis

In 2015, worldwide outrage was sparked when it came to light that a United Nations intern was camping on the lake shores of Geneva as he couldn’t afford accommodation. Now, in 2019, the student organisation of Tilburg University has set up a summer camp for internationals unable to find permanent accommodation. 

Hundreds of students from all over the world have arrived in Tilburg eager to start the academic year. Accommodation is competitive (seemingly like everywhere else in the Netherlands) and to help people get on their feet the student organisation has came up with a plan; a 25-day camping facility until they find accommodation.

Summer camp provides more than just a roof

Approximately 50 students at the camp are provided with a sleeping bag, an air mattress, pillows and lights. Volunteers are also on hand to help students in their quest to find a room and assist them with contract and translation queries. As one student said “At least I have a place to stay”.

There is a strong practical element to the camp and given finding a room is harder and is only getting harder so why not have a stop-gap in place to prevent new students being completely homeless upon arrival? “We have lots of activities planned. We’ll have bonfires, sports games, a movie night, a party at Club Smederij and much more” Univers reports.

Finding accommodation is hard

Not only do the students have to move to a whole new country, but they have to contend with all the difficulties that arise with an accommodation shortage – hiked prices, “Dutch only” exclusions and scammers eager to prey on vulnerable and desperate students.

“We are aware that this is a very difficult situation for new students,” I.S.A.T. board member Antonia Telbizova tells Univers. “We want to bring security to these students and welcome them in a way that allows them to have fun and explore Tilburg during their first month here.”

VICE investigates the camp for students in Tilburg:

Het tentenkamp voor studenten in Tilburg

Door woningnood moeten studenten in Tilburg in een tentje slapen voor 450 euro per maand. We vroegen de inwoners hoe ze het verblijf ervaren.

Geplaatst door VICE Nederland op Vrijdag 30 augustus 2019

 

Have the international students been shafted or saved? Do you think this is acceptable? Let us know in the comments! 

Featured image: pooch_eire on Pixabay 

Freya Sawbridge
Freya Sawbridge
Freya was born in Edinburgh but raised in New Zealand (cue every person she meets saying “oh I have always wanted to go there but it’s so far away!”). A restless and curious nature has led her to move countries 5 times in the last 3 years in attempt to find a place she can call home. She contacted DutchReview on a whim and arrived in the Netherlands in summer 2019 to start her internship.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

Why are there so many explosions in the Netherlands lately?

In 2024, the number of attacks carried out with explosives in the Netherlands soared. There were no less than 1,130 in just one year,...

It’s official: This train station is the worst in the Netherlands

After surveying 84,000 commuters in the annual NS and ProRail survey, Metronieuws has revealed the verdict on the worst and best train stations in...

Looks like Donald Trump is coming to the Netherlands (and this is where he might stay)

Shortly after his inauguration, the new-old president of the United States might be coming to the Netherlands. He's not here to see the tulips...

It's happening

Upcoming events