As international student enrollment increases, 14 universities in the Netherlands are implementing strategic measures to balance internationalization with the preservation of the Dutch language and culture. The decision, announced by the Dutch National News Agency (ANP), is a good way to address the concerns of international students. Main duties:

Pause of English bachelor’s programs: The creation of new English bachelor’s programs is temporarily suspended, with emphasis placed on evaluating existing courses for translation into Dutch.

Preservation of master’s programs: Master’s programs offered in English will not be affected by the change and will ensure continued access to international students.

Restrictions on recruiting foreign workers: Except for industries that are not labor-intensive, recruitment of workers through international competition is reduced.

Importance of Dutch in core subjects: The university agrees that bachelor’s degree programs in core disciplines should be taught in Dutch, primarily to improve access for students studying in the village.

Suggestions for language skills and cultural understanding:

Universities emphasize the importance of developing Dutch language skills and promoting a deeper understanding of Dutch culture in education. This objective is to improve education and promote social integration.

Legal conditions for appeal:

Current legislation, under the model process, aims to limit the number of foreign students and introduce quotas for English courses. These measures address concerns about the potential impact on Dutch students, including limited access to various courses and pressure on student presence in the city.

Overcoming challenges and success:

Efforts have been made in recent years to attract international students, but the focus has shifted to managing potential problems. Actions taken by Dutch universities show the way forward in solving the complex problems of international work while ensuring easy access and sustainability of education for all students. As countries around the world face similar issues, the Dutch school initiative serves as an important example of measuring the results of international trade while preserving local language and culture. By emphasizing language skills and cultural understanding, universities can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for students from different cultures.