Got a problem or a complaint? Have you been used, abused or unfairly treated by the university? If so, go see the TU’s ombudsman. “I spend much more time with foreign students than with Dutch ones,” says W.J
.M. Knippenberg, the university ombudsman.
Far from home, in a foreign society and culture, under intense financial and familial pressure, studying at a university you knew little about prior to arrival surely foreign students experience more problems than Dutch students? Not according to Knippenberg, TU%s ombudsman, who investigated the situation and found what he calls rather surprising results: “I presumed the problems foreign students encounter would be more serious than those of Dutch students, but examining my files closely, I discovered that foreign and Dutch students have exactly the same troubles.”
Dealing with foreign students, however, is more time-consuming, but the reason for this is obvious: the foreign students Knippenberg deals with just don’t speak Dutch very well, although, surprisingly, these students are often following regular, Dutch-language, programs. Because most foreign students have a thorough command of English, this tends to be the language for communication. “Africans from certain countries also speak French very well,” Knippenberg explains. “Sometimes, we need to use all the languages we know to communicate, which is incredibly time-consuming.”
Disappointed
“It isn’t just first-year students who experience difficulties, seniors also don’t know the language well enough,” according to the ombudsman. “But they should, because now they aren’t able to read the Dutch student regulations. However, like their Dutch colleagues, even if foreigners could read the regulations, I’m sure they still wouldn’t bother. Most students don’t even know what’s written in the student statute.”
Amazingly enough, a poor grasp of the Dutch language doesn’t adversely affect their study results. Finally, Knippenberg admits that there are some differences between foreign and Dutch students. “But the serious troubles haven’t got anything to do with me. I can’t help them with money problems or residence permits. The only striking difference is that the foreign students want to know the regulations, because they want to do everything properly, by the book. They’re very keen on that.”
And when foreign students feel they are rudely or unfairly treated by TU staff members in, for example, a university restaurant or at an information desk, foreign students take their complaints to the ombudsman. “Dutch students, however, just curse loudly in Dutch and let it go at that,” Knippenberg says.
Got a problem or a complaint? Have you been used, abused or unfairly treated by the university? If so, go see the TU’s ombudsman. “I spend much more time with foreign students than with Dutch ones,” says W.J.M. Knippenberg, the university ombudsman.
Far from home, in a foreign society and culture, under intense financial and familial pressure, studying at a university you knew little about prior to arrival surely foreign students experience more problems than Dutch students? Not according to Knippenberg, TU%s ombudsman, who investigated the situation and found what he calls rather surprising results: “I presumed the problems foreign students encounter would be more serious than those of Dutch students, but examining my files closely, I discovered that foreign and Dutch students have exactly the same troubles.”
Dealing with foreign students, however, is more time-consuming, but the reason for this is obvious: the foreign students Knippenberg deals with just don’t speak Dutch very well, although, surprisingly, these students are often following regular, Dutch-language, programs. Because most foreign students have a thorough command of English, this tends to be the language for communication. “Africans from certain countries also speak French very well,” Knippenberg explains. “Sometimes, we need to use all the languages we know to communicate, which is incredibly time-consuming.”
Disappointed
“It isn’t just first-year students who experience difficulties, seniors also don’t know the language well enough,” according to the ombudsman. “But they should, because now they aren’t able to read the Dutch student regulations. However, like their Dutch colleagues, even if foreigners could read the regulations, I’m sure they still wouldn’t bother. Most students don’t even know what’s written in the student statute.”
Amazingly enough, a poor grasp of the Dutch language doesn’t adversely affect their study results. Finally, Knippenberg admits that there are some differences between foreign and Dutch students. “But the serious troubles haven’t got anything to do with me. I can’t help them with money problems or residence permits. The only striking difference is that the foreign students want to know the regulations, because they want to do everything properly, by the book. They’re very keen on that.”
And when foreign students feel they are rudely or unfairly treated by TU staff members in, for example, a university restaurant or at an information desk, foreign students take their complaints to the ombudsman. “Dutch students, however, just curse loudly in Dutch and let it go at that,” Knippenberg says.
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