Are American scientists really welcome in the Netherlands - an insight in Dutch culture and academics?
Nick Guldemond
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Article translated from “Nieuwsbrief Brussels Peil” Yves Lacroix and the editorial team, link below
The Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science has set aside 25 million euros to attract American scientists..
Once here, the reception for these scientists turns out to be less warm than expected, says an American researcher in the Netherlands. But anyone who thinks that these European and Dutch funds mean that scientists from the US are welcomed with open arms will be disappointed. That is absolutely not the case, says an American social scientist who wishes to remain anonymous (full name known to the editors).
The American has lived in Europe for about 20 years and has worked for various universities in the Netherlands and Europe since 2017. However, she has felt less and less welcome in the Netherlands in recent years.
“When I came to the Netherlands in 2017, the feeling was: we all speak English, you don't have to learn Dutch. That felt very open.” However, that changed during the corona pandemic. When she went to get her vaccine, she was told by an employee: ‘You’ve been here long enough, you should be able to speak Dutch by now.’ “That was a new experience for me at the time,” she says. “But in retrospect, it was the starting signal for something bigger.”
She notices that she gets stuck during job applications in the Netherlands. She applied for a position where Dutch was not a requirement, but during the interview it turned out differently. “I was sitting opposite someone who literally pointed a finger at me about my poor Dutch.” She didn’t get the job. And although that is not exceptional, it made a different impression. “They say they are open to international candidates, but it didn’t feel that way. And then you wonder: does the Netherlands really want me here, or only as long as I make myself invisible?”
That is also the reason why the American only wants to tell her story anonymously. “It is already difficult enough for me to get a job at a university in the Netherlands. I don’t need any extra obstacles. Nobody wants to hear that they are not as hospitable as they think.” Anti-immigration
The social scientist also sees a fundamental contradiction in Dutch policy: “On the one hand, they want fewer English programs and fewer international students, on the other hand, they attract Americans. Do you want us or not?”
She is also surprised by the naivety of some American colleagues. “They think they are welcome, because they are welcomed with open arms on holiday. But, just like other third-country nationals, you are confronted with language requirements, visas and bureaucracy. That will probably not be an easy transition for them.”
With this, the social scientist refers to a broader trend of internationalisation within European society and universities. “They don’t call it anti-immigration, but it is. The American wonders to what extent the European funds to attract scientists from America are sincere.
“It sounds good – five to seven years of funding – but then? After that, you are outside again. It does not necessarily involve a permanent position. You are allowed to come in, you bring money, you train students… but then you are kindly thanked for services provided.”