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GREAT BAY--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs joined students on Wednesday during one of the Netherlands Onboarding Preparatory Workshops hosted by the Division Study Financing, as part of the government’s support for St. Maarten students preparing to further their education abroad.

This week’s workshops are focused on practical topics such as budgeting, student life, employment, banking, culture shock, social skills, and psycho-social preparation, all geared toward easing the transition for students heading to the Netherlands later this month.

Minister Gumbs attended the budgeting workshop, where students were introduced to the financial realities of studying abroad. She observed that the session was not only engaging but also gave students a clear picture of their expected income and expenses in the Netherlands.

"The budget workshop session was very informative for the students, and essential. It taught the students all about needs and wants and how that plays a role in how you budget.”

She noted that the facilitator broke down typical monthly budgets using data from DUO, the Dutch student finance agency, and explained what students could expect in terms of rent, subscriptions (such as gym memberships and Office 365), and other recurring expenses.

Minister Gumbs highlighted the importance of this information, especially when students were asked if they realized they were starting off their studies with debt. “Some expressed confusion at that concept, but when you take a scholarship with us from St. Maarten or from the Netherlands, you are starting off with debt. So I thought that was also a very good addition to the workshop,” she said.

The session also encouraged students to take advantage of financial literacy workshops offered for free at libraries and schools in the Netherlands. These can help them further strengthen their financial knowledge and develop habits for managing their money responsibly.

“The facilitator talked about understanding and grasping the concept of what is a want, what is a need, even going so far as to say, you know, maybe you don't have to get your eyebrows done every month, based on what your budget allows,” the Minister shared. “Students also learned that some costs, like buying a bed, are one-time expenses, while others, like household necessities, will be recurring.”

Calling it a “very informative session,” Minister Gumbs expressed her confidence that students found the workshop valuable and insightful. “Definitely something I believe the kids learned from,” she said, adding that she wished them much success as they prepare for this next chapter.

The Netherlands Onboarding Preparatory Workshops continue throughout the week as students finalize their preparations for departure.

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