While some only enjoy a flying academic visit, many international students are staying and successfully finding work after graduating in the Netherlands.
Was it the cheese that made them want to study here in the first place? We can only assume.
But now there’s a clear motivation for them to stay: the cash. 
More every year
Almost 26% of international students still live in the Netherlands after five years, and 80% of them have a paid job, Nuffic research shows.
This increases to 39% for students from non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationalities.
And there’s a jump when you look at one year post-graduation. 
Back in 2017, 40% of international students were still in the Netherlands a year after graduation.
Since the class of 2022 graduated, that percentage has risen to 60%.
“Every year since 2018, you see that more and more students are staying, compared to the year before”, researcher Ece Arat tells NU.nl. She also predicts that this pattern will continue.
Staying for the salaries
These new Dutch dwellers are not only finding great opportunities, but high-paying ones too. 
Usually, students who stay in the Netherlands come from technological or financial study paths.
READ MORE | Living with almost 30 internationals in the Netherlands: here’s what it’s like
These fields have attractive salaries, drawing nearly two-thirds of technical graduates to remain and work in the Netherlands.
Comparing with students from other countries is trickier, but language barriers, like in Germany, can influence where international students live.
Earning more than the Dutch
What’s more, many remaining foreign students already earn more than Dutch graduates.
As we know, there are longstanding tensions around internationals in Dutch higher education.
The current political coalition wants to limit the influx to improve the opportunities for young Dutch people, so we doubt this will ease their attitude.
What do you think about limiting international students? Drop your hot take in the comments below.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
