MPs Zihni Özdil and Linda Voortman have asked outgoing minister Jet Bussemaker why international students are unable to find rooms, having to start their studies while living in hotels or at camping sites. They wonder if the housing shortage created by the internationalisation and Anglicisation of education is taken into account.
GroenLinks is asking the questions in response to the news from last week, when the National Student Union (LSVb) sounded the alarm due to the housing shortage internationals are facing. According to the union, many students have been looking for a place to live for months, only to fail again and again.
Hostels
In Groningen, international students have been resorting to staying at the Simplon Jongerenhotel or the Rebel Rebel Hostel. Last Friday, dozens of students protested the housing shortage on the steps of the Academy building. The students felt that the RUG should make an effort to provide them with housing.
Last week, the university and the Hanze University opened up an old refugee centre to a hundred international students. They will be able to stay there until the end of October, at a cost of 16 euros a night.
Actions
Özdil and Voortman want the minister to intervene and solve the housing problems quickly. They also want to know what action outgoing minister Bussemaker will take to prevent these same problems from arising next academic year.
In August, the SP asked the minister similar questions. She has yet to respond to them.