Every year, around 1,600 students from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom embark optimistically on a study programme in the Netherlands. But many fail to make it to the end. The National Ombudsman drew attention to this issue. He investigated the challenges faced by Caribbean students and made recommendations for government and other organisations. What has been done in response? What points of action need to be followed up on? This is the subject of this reconstruction.
 

Why an investigation into Caribbean students?
 

"Oh, you must be used to this. Serving white people, I mean. It’s the perfect job for you."

This is a comment made to Caribbean student Tays while she is working part-time in hospitality in Amsterdam alongside her studies. Tays can hardly believe her ears. Did her colleague really say that?
 

Problems piling up

Tays comes from Bonaire. Her experience is no exception. Many young Caribbean people studying in the Netherlands face racism.

But racism is not the only problem they have to tackle. Language issues, cultural differences, limited support and guidance, complex laws and regulations: the list goes on.
 

 

Healthcare allowance: am I entitled to it or not? Do I have to be working to qualify? It can be hard to find your way around all the various allowances. – Siddharta (24)

The result? Many young Caribbeans get behind in their studies or fail to complete their degrees in the Netherlands. Debts pile up as a result and psychological issues can arise. 

Keeping up the pressure

These signals have been on the National Ombudsman’s radar for a while. From the students themselves, but also from Kompas For Students, the foundation where Deon Bisslik and Viviana Lopez Paz work. It is dedicated to providing guidance to Caribbean students in the Netherlands and helping them prepare in advance on the islands.

Deon: “In May 2017, we had already drawn the attention of the government and ministries to the problems faced by students. But it’s incredibly difficult finding structural solutions at that level. You really have to keep up the pressure.” 

An investigation

When no changes are forthcoming, the National Ombudsman decides to embark on his own investigation. He is determined to find out what issues young Caribbeans actually face. And which relevant organisations can resolve the problems.
 

The Caribbean Netherlands: a quick reminder

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is made of four countries: The Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Within the Netherlands, the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba have a separate status (special municipalities). They are known as the Caribbean Netherlands. Together with Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, they make up the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

The powers of the National Ombudsman apply to the Caribbean Netherlands only. Especially for this investigation, he chose to cooperate with his counterparts in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In this long read, we have used the terms ‘Caribbean students’ and ‘young Caribbeans’ for the sake of brevity.
 

Approach and parties involved

A team of researchers sets to work. Annemarie Tuzgöl, project manager: “This issue involves an amazing number of players. We’ve brought them all together in order to gain an overall impression of the problems at play.”

To achieve this, the researchers introduce a series of initiatives:
 

• Via various different channels, a questionnaire is issued to Caribbean students who have studied (or are currently studying) in the Netherlands. Some 624 students complete the questionnaire.
   
• Focus group meetings are held with Caribbean students.
   
• The National Ombudsman’s researchers hold one-to-one interviews with students who study at a university of applied sciences and a lecturer.
   
• The researchers also talk to staff at the ministries, public bodies and organisations involved. These include the Ministry of Education, Culture & Science, DUO (the Education Executive Agency, which administers student grants and loans), the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), the National Office for Identity Data (RvIG), Het Arubahuis, Zorgverzekeringslijn (Health Insurance Information Line), Kences, Stichting DUWO, SSH Student Housing, WeConnect, Vereniging Levende Talen Papiaments (Papiamento Living Language Society), HvAnti, Stichting Studiefinanciering Curaçao (SSC), TuranGoeloe, Unified St. Maarten Connection (USC) and Stichting Kompas For Students.
   
• The researchers also attend webinars and study policy documents, parliamentary papers and reports.