Study Highlights Reasons that Motivate International Alumni to Stay or Leave the Country

A study published by Dutch education organisation Nuffic in December outlines that 82% of international graduates who decided to remain in the Netherlands after their studies reported that finding career opportunities was a crucial factor in their decision. Other major drivers include quality of life, which was cited by 84% of stayers as important or extremely important, work-life balance (77%) and the international environment in the Netherlands (68%).  

In order to gather the analysed data, the researchers relied on a survey that was completed by 680 students and graduates, as well as 26 semi-structured interviews with education experts, students and alumni. 

The report showcases the relevance of international students for the Netherlands, highlighting that in the academic year 2022-2023, over 122,000 international degree students were enrolled in Dutch higher education, representing 15% of the total student population. 

On average, 24% of international graduates still live in the Netherlands five years after graduation. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 32% of international graduates are working in the Netherlands one year after graduation. By staying, working and paying taxes, international students contribute to the Dutch national economy. It has been estimated that incoming degree students from the academic year 2021-2022 will yield € 1.5 billion for the Dutch treasury. 

However, being able to remain in the Netherlands can be challenging for international graduates. Among the alumni who left the country, 51% indicated that not finding suitable work had been important or extremely important in their decision to leave. For non-EEA students, another shortcoming was issues with residence permits or legal status, which were mentioned by 62% of this group as a major factor for leaving. 

About 37% of the leavers indicated that not finding suitable housing in the Netherlands had been important or extremely important in their decision to leave. Not being able to speak Dutch can make finding a job in the Netherlands very difficult, and 30% of the graduates who left reported it as a major factor to leave the country. 

For the alumni who stayed in the Netherlands, the major challenges are difficulties with the Dutch language requirements in job vacancies (69%), finding affordable housing (60%) and lack of a social network (58%).  

What helps people stay

The study sheds light on some of the main actions students might take in order to be able to remain in the Netherlands after graduation. According to 71% of stayers, being able to speak Dutch helped them find a job after their studies, and 65% indicated that building relevant work experience through internships or part-time jobs while studying had been an important factor. 

A significant majority of stayers (72%) had found professional networks helpful or extremely helpful in finding suitable work, and having a social network was also often mentioned (69%) as an advantage.  

According to Wittenborg External Relations & Events Manager Sophia Faraji, international students need to keep in mind that their journey in the Netherlands is a long-term project that starts on day one, when they arrive in the country. “Learning Dutch is fundamental, and nowadays there are many online platforms and courses that can be very helpful, as well as a number of language schools in the Netherlands. It is also essential for students to develop their personal and professional networks,” she stresses. 

Faraji adds that Wittenborg is constantly advertising job openings at local companies and also offers various internship positions in its own structure, which are very valuable for students to build on their careers. “There are also plenty of opportunities for students to socialise and make friends, including various events organised by the school, such as parties, concerts and get-togethers. All of this will be beneficial for international graduates, making them better equipped to thrive in the Netherlands.

WUP 19/1/2024

by Ulisses Sawczuk

©WUAS Press