What makes refugee students feel at home at university?
How can they get to know their fellow students and learn about life in the Netherlands?
In Right2Education, ‘buddy’ students from VU Amsterdam, the UvA and AUC give Dutch and English language lessons to refugees and asylum seekers, known as guest students. These students and their buddies also get to know one another through informal, low-threshold social activities. The aim is to help guest students integrate and make higher education more accessible to all.
It’s not a one-way relationship: the local students also learn from the guest students. Sometimes they make friends for life; sometimes they simply connect briefly with someone who has been forced to flee their home. "It’s wonderful when you as a buddy really feel the connection with your guest student," says a member of the project team. Feeling inspired? Your contribution can make all the difference. Would you like to contribute as a teacher or buddy? Send an email to the team, info@right2.education.
This project is linked to:
- SDG3: Good health and well-being
- SDG 4: Quality education
- SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities