While the Netherlands is often considered a great place to be a university student, a recent survey says otherwise.
A joint study by the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO), Erasmus Student Network (ESN), and the National Student Union (LSVb) found that 59% of university students in the Netherlands experience mental health problems.
According to AD, less than three in 10 students are completely satisfied with student life.
Feeling the pressure
International students often feel depressed due to performance pressure, being far from home, and missing social contact. Not to mention a grim housing situation and perpetually bad weather in the country.
On top of that, 35.4% of students also face financial problems while living in the Netherlands.
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Many international students indicated that the cost of public transport was too high while access to healthcare can be difficult.
The coronavirus crisis also played a role in the survey results. The survey collected data in February and March when the government gradually phased out coronavirus measures.
A worrying development
According to the survey, more than half of students have mental health problems, whilst a quarter of respondents don’t feel at home here.
“This does cause us great concern. Our research is not representative, but it sends out a signal because the group of students who experience these problems is still very large,” ISO chairman Terri van der Velden tells the NOS.
Van der Velden suggests limiting and controlling the flow of international students. “Then you can better guide and inform them [about university life in the Netherlands].”
Looking ahead
The student organisations recommend investments in accessible preventive mental healthcare, through student psychologists, the municipality, the GGZ (Dutch Mental Help Services), and other platforms.
READ MORE | Mental healthcare in the Netherlands: all you need to know for 2022
They also suggest creating specific housing policies for incoming international students, while providing better access to practical information about living, studying, and working in the Netherlands.
Overall, it seems like the Dutch educational system has its work cut out — but at least someone has ideas to improve it.
Are you surprised by these findings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
I love how the suggestions put all the pressure, once again, on the students. The students should those more informed on what to expect, and how to prepare better. How they could have be accepted in a univarsity to follow their dreams, and do have the fonds to get in, but wouldn’t because the university can’t minimize a bit the pressure they put on them.
It’s not that we weren’t prepared, nor that we did not know what it was coming. We knew. But we expected a fairer treatment, some understanding, and possibly not THAT much pressure. After a certain point you just can’t catch up… it is not feasible.
Yes, students should be more aware about the cercumstances they get themselves in, BUT universities shouldn’t be putting pride to be in the top universities of the world first, and students’ well being and mental health second. First, but at what cost?
~Sincerely,
An international master’s student who cried in the first tutorial group cause she felt so lost because both students and professors kept pressuring
University should have a contract with a real estate agency so that they have apartments available, perhaps a house sharing department, so several students can go in one house, and perhaps rooms for rent this will be less expensive than an apartment (but I wouldn’t like it myself it is when you are on a tight budget) also Dutch volunteers to help the foreign student feel more at home and accepted, a club where all foreign students can get together so they will at least have some friends. Also Dutch universities are difficult, same as in the U.S. students come here thinking American universities are easy but they are far from easy. Also perhaps it is better to study in your home country, just a thought, I think university life can be difficult but especially if you live in a foreign country.
I finished a Research Masters and PhD at Leiden University and the workload was far below anything I would expect in North America. I am genuinely curious what these students are basing their complaints on regarding this.
Its because Dutch society is completely broken and the Dutch totally suck.