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Week of the International Student: Record Number of International Students Now in the Netherlands

Week of the International Student: Record Number of International Students Now in the Netherlands
by Wittenborg News -
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Week of the International Student:

Record Number of International Students Now in the Netherlands

http://www.wittenborg.eu/week-international-student-record-number-international-students-now-netherlands.htm

The Netherlands has more international students than ever before - 90 000!

This number was revealed by the director of EP-Nuffic, Freddy Weima, at the start of the ''Week of the International Student'' which runs from 16 - 21 November. EP-Nuffic is the Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education. Weima recently visited Wittenborg University to meet with private institutes of higher education in the Netherlands like Wittenborg, its umbrella body NRTO and a representative of the Dutch Ministry of Higher Education.
Week of the International Student: Record Number of International Students Now in the Netherlands Week of the International Student: Record Number of International Students Now in the Netherlands
In a press statement EP-Nuffic revealed that this year, for the first time, international students constitute more  than 10% of the total number of students in the Netherlands. Of the 90 000 students from abroad an estimated 23 000 are from non-EU countries. It is believed international students are drawn to Dutch shores because of the high number of English-taught programmes on offer at Dutch institutes of higher education, but also the high quality of its programmes and the fact that the country maintains an open society.

Weima also pointed to the benefits that hosting international students holds for the Netherlands. "The 90 000 international students in our higher education system ensure an international classroom. Their presence is also good for the economy if they maintain a link with the Netherlands - often acting as the ideal ambassadors for our country."

Wittenborg University is currently one of the most international and diverse institutes of higher education in the Netherlands with its students and staff comprising of more than 70 different nationalities!

One of its international students is Mariana Góes from Brazil who won an Orange Tulip Scholarship to study in the Netherlands. She is currently in the final phase of an IBA in Marketing & Communication at Wittenborg and also serves on the Student Representatives body.

"One of the things I appreciate the most about Holland is the security aspect - I come from a country where there is often violence so I value being able to move around free from fear. The country is also well organized with good infrastructures."

Challenges she has experienced as an international student includes learning Dutch and the culture. "Sometimes I am also stereotyped as a Brazilian."

 Week of the International Student: Record Number of International Students Now in the Netherlands
During the week the life of a different international student will be livestreamed every day via https://twitter.com/studyinholland and https://twitter.com/epnuffic. More information about the week's activities can also be found on https://www.nuffic.nl/en
WUP 18/11/2015

by Anesca Smith
©WUAS Press

  

431 words