keuzemenu

homeless international students in the netherlands

The Netherlands, 2023

Housing shortage is a significant problem in the Netherlands. Year after year, the housing market becomes increasingly constrained. It appears that the country is reaching its capacity. Nevertheless, the government makes efforts each year to attract as many international students to the Netherlands as possible. What they may not realize is that, after being accepted into a university or college, the real challenge begins: finding accommodation.

This photo reportage showcases 10 international students who, due to the housing shortage in the Netherlands, find themselves living in extraordinary circumstances, circumstances they had not anticipated beforehand.

“She only lets me bring my Portuguese friends into the house. Which makes it hard to start a new life here in The Netherlands.”

Neuza Baptista (22) is living with her Portuguese landlord in Nieuwegein until finding another place to stay. 

“I get harassed in the street several times a week” 

Kasia Radziwilska (23) is living in the Rotterdam Afrikaanderwijk neighborhood. Even with having a financial stable situation, she is not able to move from a house where she is not able to register. 

“I wanted to start a family here, but I abandoned that idea’’. 

Phil Wornath (26) is living in an apartment in Utrecht which he actually can’t afford. He printed out flyers which he is going to hand out. If that doesn’t work, he will have to leave The Netherlands next month. 

“How am I ever supposed to meet with Dutch people if I am staying in a hotel with only internationals?” 

Sofia Garbayo (21) is paying roughly 1000,- per month to stay in a hotel in Rotterdam. Since she is already leaving in December she simply abandoned the idea of finding a room in The Netherlands. 

“My mom’s health decreased quickly since I moved back in”. 

Tyree Vasconcellos (24) had to move back in with his mother Liselotte in Amsterdam after the student house he was living in got declared uninhabitable. His mom is suffering from a chronic fatigue syndrome and needs to sleep most part of the day. 

“I can’t let you in because he will literally do something to me”.

Ava Molleson (23) is living together with a 59 year old man that consumes drugs every day. Since the moment he nailed up all the windows in the house she is feeling unsafe daily.

“Me and my friend are sleeping in the same small double bed.” 

Mrudula Tatavarthi (22) is staying at a friend’s apartment in Amsterdam. She is searching for a hostel to stay in, because she isn’t convinced finding an apartment in the following month. 

“I feel excluded all the time. Sometimes teachers just forget to call me”.

Joana Oliveira (21) started studying in Breda in September but is still following classes from her home country, Portugal. Her school in Breda is still giving her one more month to find a place, before she needs to leave the studies. 

“I am eating instant noodles almost every day”. 

Julien Carrette (19) is living together with his roommate Nikita (23) in a hotel in Rotterdam. They met in the same hotel room 5 days before this picture was taken. 

“Most days of the week I need to wait for parties to be over to go to bed”. 

Angeliki Gianniou (22) has been sleeping on her friend’s couch for two months. She can’t fully stretch her legs while sleeping, because the couch is not tall enough.