Policy Trump threatens the exchange of Dutch students in the US: ‘We are too scared to demonstrate’

When Sacha Gyapjas (23) visited New York for the first time, the bustling city had such an appeal to her that she thought: I want to live and study here. It seemed no more than a dream of wishing, because her parents did not have enough money to sponsor her. In the United States you quickly pay tens of thousands of euros per year tuition fees.

Until gyapjas belonged to the Fulbright program. That is a prestigious trade fair program for the exchange of students between the US and other countries. Shortly after the Second World War it was created to promote « mutual understanding » between countries.

Every year, around 25 Dutch people receive the stock market – to teach, to do PhD research or to follow a master. The selection is strict. As a student you have to ‘Broadness of Development’ Prove with the right extracurricular activities, have achieved high figures, impress during an admission interview. You must provide recommendation letters, a study plan, a motivation letter.

Gyapjas succeeded: in September 2024 she was allowed to start her two -year Master International Relations at New York University (NYU). « I was proud. And I thought: as long as you work hard enough and have a lot of passion, a lot is possible, even if you don’t have the financial resources, » says Gyapjas via a video connection from a hostel in Colombia, where she is on vacation during Spring breakthe American spring break.

Financing suspended

Now she fears that her dream falls apart. Last month the government of US President Donald Trump suspended the financing of international exchange and study programs, including the Fulbright program. It is unclear whether that financing will resume. According to The New York Times Fulbright is on a list of programs that the government wants to investigate whether they contribute to « Marxist equality, transgenderism and Green New Deal-social engineering policy ».

In addition, a large proportion of the employees of the Institute of International Education (IIE) have been sent with mandatory leave since 14 March. This institute arranges practical matters for international students, such as the form to request a visa. They must also get permission from IIE for a side job or internship.

Fair

Caya van der Sluis (26) also participates in the video call. She is in her student room in the New York district Chelsea. She has also been studying with a Fulbright Fair on NYU since September; She follows a master in Animal Studies. She says that communication was and is poor. « We all have to put the puzzle pieces together. » There was already unrest in February, says Van der Sluis. « But the IIE kept saying that everyone would get their stock market. When that had not happened at the end of February, the beginning of March, the stress became great among the international. « 

Gyapjas and Van der Sluis were less tense, because Dutch Fulbright students receive the entire stock market at the start of the academic year instead of monthly, for tax reasons. Until there a message It appeared on the IIE website that a large part of the IIE employees would be put on non-active from 14 March, due to ‘delays’ in the financing of the organization.

Gypajas: « My first reaction was panic. How do we ensure that our visa can be extended? We can really do that alone with their support. I am afraid that my only opportunity to study here will be taken. » Moreover, she is currently in Colombia. On the website of the IIE, it is now not recommended to go out and enter the US. Gyapjas fears that she will not enter the country anymore. The students are also concerned about the next academic year: is their tuition fees still reimbursed? « Following one course at NYU quickly costs $ 9,000, » says Van der Sluis. « So that counts quickly. »

The Dutch branch of Fulbright answers questions from NRC That Fulbright The Netherlands itself pays the stock markets and therefore has its own « in hand ». But Gyapjas and Van der Sluis are still worried about their tuition fees. According to Gyapjas, NYU is ‘removed’ if you are a fulbrighter. Does that still happen next year?

In the Fight mode

For fulbrighters from other countries, the problem is more urgent, because they get the stock market paid every month. Gyapjas: « What touches me the most are my fellow students who are now in financial need. Moreover, they often come from countries where studying in New York is an even more unique opportunity than it is for Dutch students. I have a good friend from Jordan for whom that applies. She has worked so hard for it. »

« Fortunately, » says Van der Sluis, « Most students shoot right in the Fight mode. We bombard the IIE, the university and consulates with questions. But you also notice that some are being despondent. You no longer feel desirable in this country. They now think: it is my diploma, otherwise I would be gone now. »

Van der Sluis would prefer to « sit in Washington Square Park. » “But we are too scared to demonstrate, because Trump has on his social network threatened By deploying students who encourage ‘illegal protests’. «