I'm not surprised they have decided to go back. Why should they stick around if they are made to feel like second class citizens? As much as it's their responsibility to learn the host country's language, equal effort from natives should be there to make them feel welcomed. I feel the same way after having arrived in US, despite my every effort to socialise and integrate into society, I'm ignored, rejected from social groups for no apparent reason. I have noticed they have no issues socializing with people who look like them which has lead me to realise "implicit racism" is one of the main reasons.

I find the biggest problem in learning Dutch is that no one will speak Dutch with/to you. As soon as they hear the accent they revert to English and often want to practice their English with you. I am trying my best to stay here and become part of the community but I agree, not speaking Dutch has had a way bigger impact than I anticipated and after 6 months here I am SO ready to go home.

I can totally relate to this article. I study at WUR, whose students are at least 22% internationals, but they're living different lives from their Dutch peers in almost every aspect. The rents are the worst, because most of the offers are for Dutch only and the agency managing accommodations for students is not helping internationals, although it claims so. A lot of internationals I know are moving from subrent to subrent thanks to Dutch students doing internships outside Wageningen. The university is offering Dutch courses with the first level (A) for free, but there aren't enough seats available and Dutch is a difficult language for most, it's likely to take longer than the master duration in order to speak it fluently and few want to practice with you. Willingly or not, Dutch students are prone to exclude internationals: they speak almost always Dutch among themselves even in your presence, are in only-Dutch fraternities, already have they circle of Dutch friends since the bachelor and go back to their hometown for the weekend. Furthermore most of the events take place during the week, in order to let the Dutch go back home in the weekend and that penalizes the internationals, that are taking language courses at night during the week. If it wasn't for this university, I wouldn't stay in the Netherlands.

I feel confused and frustrated at it all. I have a Dutch background (my mom is Dutch) I grew up on a former Dutch Colonie. So legally I am a dutch citizen but I don't feel that way nor am I treated that way. I understand that I am priveleged to have my mom teach me Dutch from a young age and that's the only reason really how I made it here the last 3 months. I have been rejected 75 times from student housing for being able to speak multiple languages, for having the wrong look or nationality for not studying at the right school. I only got a place because my mom kept telling me not to give up to scour every site, message every student house, call every landlord. Until someone took a shot on me, told me I did not fit the Criteria but he was willing to meet me in person, show me the room and then make his decision. I believe just like everyone has said in these comments there's a barrier, an "us" and "them" field. I wish the world we live in was different we could have a community of expats and locals, a place we can come together learn from each other. Unfortunately integration here is only on a small scale. I've almost always been the one to start the conversation, to ask others for their contact info to stay in touch to ask them to go out. I feel that the locals think they have nothing to gain from such a friendship that they are only losing their time teaching an acquaintance about their culture because I have been told straight to my face my culture doesn't matter to them, but this goes both ways I've heard many say the dutch culture does not interest them and this stigmatizes all, I've had arguments with Dutch people about being accepting to outsiders and the main counter argument is always "but that's the point why would I try to help them if they don't want my help if they don't want to learn Dutch or adapt to our culture". Thats why I think someone should just organise something to bring the two together. If we could get the groups who are interested in learning and teaching about culture and experiences (all around the world) togheter only then will you see change. When there's a respected space we can interchange our knowledge only then will that percentage of expats that leave after their studies drop.

It's not just students who experience this. I have been here for all of my adult life and have no Dutch friends. The Dutch can be very nice but they keep their distance. I did an intercultural course at work and it was explained to us that the dutch have an 'individualistic' society. It explains everything. My friends are English, Cameroonian, Hungarian, French and Belgian

Studying in the NL is The worst experience I have ever had. Loneliness, exclusion, stress, isolation, fear and insecurities. And this experience is shared among the international community. The country is clean, a lot of civilization, high salaries. But trust me if I say that this is not everything in life, and I rather prefer to be in a country where I earn less money but I feel part of a community, than buying a BMW and living in a country where I felt so depressed.

I believe students here in NL are treated terribly. I have never felt more discriminated (for absolutely no reason) while finishing my Master. Besides, I was sued by a landlord to get me evicted because I didn't want to get a raise on my rent (already very high) and I went to the rental commission. Now, as a graduate student, after finding a job and agreeing on a sponsorship, the company is canceling my contract because of the Corona crisis, while it is understood that the employer must take the risk. My legal status is at risk and I am still unemployed. My experience in NL has been challenging and not at all pleasant.

This is my 2nd stint in the Netherlands. The 1st time I was here was 6 years ago with my partner who was studying. From the day we arrived, members of faculty at the place of study, medical professionals and people we came across in general found it necessary to inform us that living in the Netherlands is "very expensive", so we were better off going back to our home country after graduation, or asking why we came to the NL? Aren't there any schools back in Africa?. This time I came alone, and I am the one who is studying. So far, faculty at the school (same school my partner studied at... I'm now regretting my choice of going there), a physiotherapist who was treating me, and some neighbours have found it necessary to repeat that "advice" from 6 years ago. Oh, and faculty members have made it clear that it will be next to impossible for me to get a job in the Netherlands after I graduate. All in all, I feel very unwelcome. Yes we know finding a job is hard work. I am studying towards a Masters degree for goodness sake. Give my level of intellect and reasoning capacity some credit to be able to understand the complexities of the job market and the economy! I don't believe everything will simply be handed to me, I am willing to put in the work. But geez, I'm not even half way through the programme and already I'm being told it's probably better for me to go back to Africa after graduation because living here in NL is expensive. Umm... we pay bills in Africa too, and some countries are actually more expensive to live in than living here in NL. No wonder so many international students don't settle here. It is made abundantly clear that we are not welcome here, even though we are actively recruited by these same schools and are paying bucket loads of money for education. Why bother recruiting and accepting us if they don't want us here? It boggles the mind.