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Friday, 24 November 2023 INTERNATIONAL 13
Dutch Political Discourse on Internationalization
Alienates Foreign Academics and Students
AS Dutch politics intensifies efforts to curb international- tional student numbers and decrease English language
ization in the Netherlands, a recent survey conducted by six usage in universities is high, with over 90 percent of respon-
university news media outlets, including U-Today, indicates dents having heard about these initiatives. Despite this
a growing sense of unwelcome among foreign students and awareness, sentiments regarding the political discussion
staff at Dutch universities. The survey, involving respondents are diverse, reflecting a spectrum of opinions among inter-
from universities in Groningen, Utrecht, Nijmegen, Delft, national academics and students.
Wageningen, and Twente, highlights the impact of political
discussions on internationalization. The survey also indicates that, while respondents gener-
ally feel more welcome within the university environ-
For nearly a year, the influx of international students has ment, concerns about integration persist. Issues include a
been a focal point in Dutch national politics. Parties such as perceived divide between Dutch and international students
Nieuw Sociaal Contract and Pieter Omtzigt’s faction express and instances of discrimination outside the university
concerns about the rising number of international students setting.
and advocate for limitations on the use of the English
language in universities. The survey’s indicative results Approximately 30 percent of respondents contemplate
reveal a shift in sentiment among international students and leaving the Netherlands due to the ongoing international-
staff, with over 70 percent initially feeling welcome in the ization debate, with varying levels of language proficiency
Netherlands, dropping to 55 percent currently. Meanwhile, affecting their decisions. Despite this, postdocs and Ph.D.
those feeling unwelcome increased from 16.5 to 25 percent. candidates show a higher willingness to stay compared to
other academic staff.
Approximately 50 percent of respondents attribute their
altered perceptions to the increasingly negative stance of The survey’s findings highlight the complex dynamics at
Dutch politics toward internationals, while 30 percent point play in Dutch universities, where the political discourse on
to negative portrayals in the media. Open-ended responses internationalization impacts the sense of welcome and inte-
from the survey underscore mixed feelings about the polit- gration for foreign academics and students. The uncertainty
ical discourse, with descriptions ranging from “stupid” and arising from these discussions may influence the attractive-
“populist” to “short-sighted.” ness of Dutch institutions to the global academic commu-
Awareness of parliamentary measures to restrict interna- nity.
