Language Accessibility and National Identity in Dutch Universities: Student Perspectives on the Balanced Internationalisation Bill
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2025-06-30
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en
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This study analyses the proposed Balanced Internationalisation Bill (Wet internationalisering in balans, WIB) in the Netherlands through the perspectives of national, international and mixed-background students in higher education. The policy aims to decrease the number of English-taught programs and to strengthen Dutch as the main scientific and educational language in the country. Thus, it aims to address claimed issues of classroom overcrowding and housing crisis, as well as to strengthen Dutch national identity. This research investigates how students perceive and interpret the potential educational changes, accessibility and integration challenges, stemming from the proposed WIB. Utilizing Policy Feedback Theory and the concept of linguistic nationalism, as well as the Gioia methodology, the study adopts a qualitative approach and considers the data gathered through 15 interviews with student representatives of the three categories: nationals, internationals, and nationals with an international background. Findings suggest overall student opposе to the policy, with explicit concerns regarding potential limited academic diversity, decreased quality of education, and lack of international collaboration and inclusivity. Participants questioned whether the policy would be able to solve the issues it claims to address and doubted the necessity of its implementation. The study also highlights the need for inclusive policymaking and consideration of diverse student perspectives to avoid unintended negative consequences for Dutch higher education
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen