Study in the Netherlands: ??oDream??? Or ??oNightmarê???

Study in the Netherlands: ?oDream? Or ?oNightmarê??

õ?oI was proud of me when I went up the flight of stairs came to the Netherlands for studying with a dream of a bright future. Getting the Master degree with international recognized was dreaming of mine for many years. I spend all a mount of money, which I saved during my hard working to invest for a õ?odreamõ? was gone already. But I did get nothing. I donõ?Tt know what should I do now, should stay here for continuing study or go back Vietnam for working?õ? This is the confidence of the one of the Vietnamese students, who is study in the Netherlands.

Teaching & learning quality

õ?oõ?ƯYou will stay and study in the Netherlands with the lovely atmosphere, working together with international students come from different countries in the world. Moreover, studying in the Netherlands you will be supported by the Dutch government with 70% tuition feeõ?Ưõ? this is the advertising quote in one of Vietnamese local newspapers, to be done by a Consulting Study Abroad Company in Hanoi, Vietnam

It attracted many students who got the dream of studying in the developed countries. In fact, a lot of Vietnamese students due to do not have enough of English knowledge for professional course, they have to apply for English course (pre-course) in some schools in the Netherlands. As we know, English is the second languages of Dutch people but it is not the main language of the Netherlands. Many thing should be concerned, for those who come to the Netherlands for taking English course. Just have a look at the developed and resulted of the English course at Saxion Hogeschool Ijselland, which were attended by so many Vietnamese students.

The academic years 2001-2002, students who are joined in English course were taught by more than 10 English teachers come from English speaking countries. They had many chance spoke with different pronunciation or voice of English teachers. Actually, student could improve they English if they were real hard study.

In contrast, in the academic year of 2002-2003, there were more or less of 60 students (half Vietnam and half China) attended the English course. They were divided into 5 classes. In order to õ?osave moneyõ?; the school only invited an English teacher who is responsible for teaching all 5 classes. Due to õ?otime constrain and manpowerõ? the teacher had õ?orunõ? from õ?othisõ? class to õ?othatõ? class in order to carry out all of 5 classes. The teacher just left the writing exercise for the students worked together in the classes. Students even did not have many chances to practice listening, writing and especial speaking skill with the teacher. Most of students felt boring and some of they went back home, other just talked in their native language. In the class, Vietnamese students spoke Vietnamese, Chinese students spoke Chinese. The consequences are, for those who come to the Netherlands for improving their English knowledge, but just using their mother languages.
One of the most important requirements to be admitted further study in the professional courses is English certificate (TOEFL or IELTS) for student come from non-English speaking countries.
With those who are taking English course at Saxion also have *****bmit English certificate. Most of Vietnamese students did not know this requirement before they came here. Spending over 10.000 Euro for attend English course is too expensive (including housing, etc). Beside, some students believed with õ?olucky or unluckyõ? in the exam. What would happen if they could not achieve a score as requirements ? go back to home countries without getting anything and will be ashamed with families, friends, etc.?

Furthermore, in the academic year 2001-2002, there were some British Council Staff in Amsterdam came to Saxion and organized IELTS test for students. We were taken English test not only at the school but also did not need to pay for test fee (160 Euro/ student). However, the school has developed the new õ?oruleõ? in the academic year of 2002-2003 with the contents of õ?opaying money and taking a train to Amsterdam test by yourself õ?. Some students did complain with the International office and received the answer : õ?oIELTSõ?Ts fee was not mentioned in the admitted letterõ?.

The sad consequences are that, with a class of õ?oVietnamese or Chinese atmosphereõ?, in the end of the academic year of 20022003, many students did not achieve the result as requirements. In order to solve this problem, the school gave out a solution. They announced students who got the score õ?onearly achieving the requirementsõ? (for example, the final year of Marketing course require 6.0 and the õ?oterm of nearly achieving is 5.5õ?) will be sat in the new test so-called õ?oSaxion retestõ? with 70 Euro will be charged for each.

Actually, we did not know what did the Saxion Hogeschool Ijseland means of the õ?oSaxion retestõ?. We knew, in many universities (included some famous universities) if the candidates do not achieve the English certificate as requirement, the universities will organize an interview test for candidate (in this case, candidates do not need to pay anything for this). Students will be excepted if the examiner satisfy. The question is, why Saxion had they õ?oown ruleõ?. Actually, who are taking the õ?o Saxion retestõ? just school students? Why they have to pay for this (you should know that, õ?oSaxion retestõ? is not English recognized test).
A lot of students thought that, this is the arrow to hit two purposes. The first purpose is the school can earn some money from students. The second purpose is the school need foreigner students because we pay a lot. The school just cares about our money. did not care about ourselves
Actually, we had no choice; we came here and know nothing, we like children. We donõ?Tt know whom or where we should complain for our right. We donõ?Tt know any foreigner student organizations in the Netherlands in order to protect or ask for helping.

...Homeless students.
Maybe you donõ?Tt believe that, but it is true. Just discuss my case. I received the admission letter from Environmental department. The letter informed me õ?othe course is going to finish end of August, 2003 depending on your final examinationõ?. When I received the admission letter, I was happy because Environmental was a new field to me. I will have chance to research of this subject. Actually, I was very happy and enjoyable with my lovely classmates and kindly teachers. I have nothing to complain about this. But let me tell you about my accommodation.
In the 15th June. I received the letter from the accommodation students (the letter for all of student, I am sure). The letter informed me, I need to tell them what I am doing in the next year ( applying for accommodation from the school or not). If I continue to apply for an accommodation from the school, I can stay in my place during summer time for free. Otherwise, I have to move out end of June and no longer to stay there. I came the accommodation student complained that: My course is not finish yet and I am still doing my research now, etc. One of the accommodation staff checked my situation from Environmental department. He knew I am going to award the degree on 3rd July. The accommodation student decided that I could stay there till in the 15th July. After complaining a lot of thing, we agreed that õ?oI could stay in my palce till end of July (depending on my roommate- she going to apply for the room from the school in next academic year). After end of July I have no right to complain anymoreõ?. All of us (Asian students) have to move out of the palce end of June. It is very strange; we paid for the whole year (packet fee) but the school just allow us stay there for 9 or 10 months.

The consequence is the homeless students are increasing and we have no family or any contacts with the local people here to help and we are in the crisis homeless situation and everybody has to ask for the place from any people we have known to dump the luggage or hangover to any possible place. We understand that even though we know about the Dutch law but we do not know where and who to complain or ask for justice. We know that The Netherlands is the democratic country and everybody has right to complain in any unfair cases. But actually, the school treats us like the rubbish and NO RIGHT to talk.
There are so many unfair things for us (Asian student), which we have to accept during study in the Netherlands. We do not know whom we should complain?

To end, many students really donõ?Tt know where is a õ?olovely and friendly atmosphereõ? . For me, I just see very clearly of embittered, disappointed and cheerless face of Vietnamese students. Studying in the Netherlands is õ?odream or nightmareõ??

Obviously you benefited nothing from your years of abroad studying. If your English sucks so bad (as shown in your writing) how could you expect to learn anything in English?

Tiền bất kiến cổ nhân
Hậu bất kiến lai giả
Niệm thiên địa chi du du
Độc sảng nhiên nhi lệ hạ

Right, with your writing, your complains become unvaluable.
Holand is a good place for studying, especiallly for studying Civil engeenering, basic science and business. Besides those, also cheap tution fee is a big advantage for students from under development countries like Vietnam.
Please don''t complain, just do your best
Good luck

To 2112201, có thể bây giờ bạn cho đó là nightmare nhưng tôi tin sau này nghĩ lại bạn sẽ thấy khác. Đi du học khổ chứ không sướng. Bù lại chúng ta thu lượm được nhưng bài học quí giá, đôi khi là nhưng bài học xương máu. Dần dần chúng ta sẽ có được sự từng trải, tự tin và bản lĩnh. Tôi dám chắc rằng bạn bây giờ đã là một con người khác.
Tôi thông cảm với bạn. Hy vọng rằng bạn sẽ không mất lòng tin.
To river2sea, mọi người đều có quyền đưa ra ý kiến của mình. Bạn không nên đưa thông tin cá nhân của 2112201 ra đây.
To Mods: tôi đề nghị các mods xoá bài viết của river2sea đi.

Hi, mời các bạn vào : www.svnl.net Diễn đàn của sinh viên Việt nam tại HàLan
Ở đó các bạn sẽ thấy muôn mặt cuộc sống cuả chúng mình tại NL và có những cái nhìn chính xác hơn.
FLYING IS SO GREAT ....... di may bay thich lam ban oi iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Híc, bạn 2112201 đã phản ánh đúng thực trạng du học HL dù còn có nhiều mistake trong việc viết tiếng Anh. Đấy là thực trạng mà chả sv nào học ở HL dám nói ra. Họ xấu hổ, họ còn muốn "oai " với bạn bè, người quen trong nước. Ở HL trừ mấy university ra thì các trường Hogeschool tình trạng chung giống nhau. Mang tiếng đi du học Tây nhưng toàn là Việtnam và Tàu, nhất là Tàu. Khi đến học ở HL bạn cảm giác đi du học ở Tàu hơn là đi du học Tây: sinh viên Tàu, người Tàu gặp ngoài đường, China town, Chinese supermarket, shop.... Gặp bạn, người HL sẽ chào bạn Ní hảo híc híc híc. Đấy chính là môi trường quốc tế của du học HL.Nếu muốn có môi trường Tây á, sang học khoá tiếng Dutch nhé. Còn học phí á ? Ai bảo rẻ nào? Trừ vài trường Hogeschool ra thì trường nào chả đắt hơn hoặc ngang như Anh, Úc, Đan Mạch, Pháp, Bỉ.... Bạn thử xem giá học phí cho master xem, ở Hogeschool cũng tối thiểu từ 5.000 đến 8.000 Euro. Còn ở đa số các university á, giá có thể đến hàng mấy chục nghìn......
Nói tóm lại du học HL chả phải là dream đâu, mà các bạn đang ở HL cũng đừng vẽ vời làm gì nữa, nhìn vào thực tế thì hơn. Sv VN qua HL trừ vài người có học bổng ra, ngay cả có bằng IETLS hay TOEFL qua cũng chỉ học Hogeschool thôi... Hãy nói lên sự thật, đừng vì sỹ diện của mình mà tạo nên cơ hội cho các công ty tư vấn du học lừa đảo ngày càng phát triển!
Always want to hold a ***y_ cat_girl

Cho tớ hỏi Hogeschool là cái gì thế?
"Đắc nhất nhật quá nhất nhật"

Hogeschool là từ gọi các trường professional university ở HL.
Always want to hold a ***y_ cat_girl

Đã bảo là vào svnl.net thì mọi người sẽ rõ ngay mà lại, sao cứ phải nói nhiều thế nhỉ?
Ở svnl, bọn mình đã nói lên tất cả về cuộc sống, môi trường học tập, sự khác biệt giữa University và Hogeschool.
Chẳng ai nói là đi du học là thiên đường, UK, Australia thì hơn được bao nhiêu phần trăm ngoài việc học được tiếng anh như native speaker?
Bọn mình cũng chẳng dấu gì thực tế về các trường ở Halan, nhưng thử hỏi sinh viên Tàu, Việtnam ở Uk thì hơn gì ở NL chứ?
trường Saxion chưa phải là tệ nhất NL trong vấn đề tiền nong, nhà cửa với sv đâu... còn nhiều trường còn tệ hại hơn nhiều
Đã chuẩn bị đi du học thì đừng mơ mộng viển vông rằng Tây là tất cả, lịch sự... chuẩn bị tinh thần mà hội nhập với môi trường mới còn hơn là mơ hão.
Tuy nhiên mỗi người có cái nhìn và quan hệ xã hội khác nhau, bài viết của 211201 cũng là điều đáng để các bạn chuẩn bị đi du học không chỉ NL mà UK, F suy nghĩ để chuẩn bị hành trang cho mình.
Chào mọi người
FLYING IS SO GREAT ....... di may bay thich lam ban oi iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Đó là các bạn hiểu nhầm đó thôi! Trường University là trường ĐH như ở VN mình . Con trương Hogeschool thì cũng như trường cao đẳng ở VN mình = higherschool . Nhưng dù gì các bạn chưa biết rõ, thì hãy tìm hiểu kĩ đã, rồi hay lên tiếng nhé Còn nếu bạn nào xắp qua Holland du học , Hay đang du học ở Holland thì vô svnl xem thi cũng biết đưọ 1 phần nào. Ko thì PM với minh cũng được ! Minh mà có information gì thì alo cho! hihi