For a small country, the Netherlands has played a deeply influential role in world affairs. Once, the Dutch kingdom dominated global trade. Its Golden Age bequeathed priceless works of art that are centerpieces of the world’s best museums. Today, many inventions developed there have made our daily lives much more efficient and convenient. Think the DVD, Bluetooth and Wi-fi.
None of those achievements would have happened were it not for an openness to embrace new ideas and venture beyond prevailing limits. That spirit of innovation and creative thinking still exists in the country’s universities, many of them centuries old but all of them pioneering.
In fact, in The Times Higher Education Ranking for 2021, seven Dutch universities made it to the top 100. Another huge advantage for international students is, thankfully, the Dutch are one of the most proficient English speakers.
Because the Netherlands has remained a very popular destination for international students, graduates get to build an extensive network of colleagues from around the world and gain valuable exposure to different cultures. Tuition fees are also very affordable.
For Chinese students, getting an education in the Netherlands provides them with a competitive advantage in the job market upon returning home.
But for those students looking to gain some work experience in the Netherlands, they will obtain a valuable view of how world-class companies operate and get to use the skills and knowledge gained during their studies. Another advantage of the Dutch education system is the close partnerships build between universities and industry.
