WILLEMSTAD – Caribbean students planning to study in the Netherlands will soon have more support in preparing for their departure. Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO), the student finance service, will visit the Caribbean region from 9 to 27 March with information sessions and temporary service offices aimed at future students and graduates.
During the visit, DUO will provide information on student finance, practical arrangements related to studying in the Netherlands, and the application process for a Dutch citizen service number. Attention will also be given to a new online tool launched by the Dutch government to help students better prepare for their move abroad.
Each year, more than 1,500 young people from the Caribbean begin their studies in the Netherlands. Through the Dutch government’s website, students can now obtain a personalized overview of their rights, the steps they need to take before departure, and where to find assistance. According to DUO, the tool has been well received and is helping students leave better prepared.
Information sessions will be held on Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. In addition, DUO will open temporary service offices on Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Bonaire and Aruba. On Curaçao, a DUO service office has already been operating on a longer-term basis since April last year.
The service offices are open not only to new students, but also to former students who may have questions about repaying their student loans or are experiencing payment difficulties. DUO says the outreach is intended to improve guidance and ensure smoother transitions for Caribbean students pursuing higher education in the Netherlands.