Some 35 St. Maarten high school students will be heading for the Netherlands at the end of this month (see related story) to further their education. Despite the impact of last September’s Hurricane Irma on local schools, the number is consistent with those of recent years: 34 in 2016 and 30 in 2017.
That’s still down considerably from not too long ago, when more than 100 local study-financing recipients used to fly to Schiphol airport on an annual basis. Among the main reasons for this decrease are the growing possibilities and interest to attend college in the region, including the US and Canada.
Unified St. Maarten Connection (USC) has been contracted for a second consecutive time to help coach and guide the newcomers. This includes information sessions on the island and a two-day orientation once in the Netherlands, before they each travel to their respective study cities.
This involvement of islanders was apparently satisfactory enough to continue, which is understandable. Receiving assistance from predecessors very much aware of and familiar with potential problems as well as one’s cultural background can obviously be a plus.
However, it’s mostly the students themselves on whom success will ultimately depend. That makes it even more important to get ready beforehand in every sense of the word, because – as the saying goes – failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
