Bas Jan helps refugees find their way at Hanze

Judging from some social media, you may easily think there is something seriously wrong with refugees who have gained a residence permit. Bas Jan, winner of the Inclusion Award, thinks differently.

‘What I always liked most were their stories about their journey to the Netherlands. Some people had walked hundreds of miles to get here’, says Bas Jan van Duinen (20). The second-year Social Work student won the Hanze Inclusion Award last month for his work with statushouders (the Dutch word for refugees who have gained a residence permit). ‘My parents have been working as volunteers for years. They are language teachers at Humanitas (one of the main social services and community building organisations of the Netherlands, ed.). Because of that, I had a lot of contact with people who had fled from a young age. People from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nepal, you name it.’ It is therefore no coincidence that Bas Jan became a buddy in the Hanze Grotius program, where he helps statushouders integrate into education. ‘I just do what my heart tells me to do.’

‘In Turkey, you get a passing grade for a test if you write down what the lecturer said during the lecture’

On March 19, Bas Jan received the very first Hanze Inclusion Award, the prize for students committed to safe, accessible, and inclusive education. The jury praised Bas Jan for his personal commitment and his ability to inspire others to also commit to an inclusive community (the other nominees, Zoey Hoiting and Noémia Sangu, took home the encouragement awards).

Bas Jan got involved with the Grotius program two years ago. ‘In my first year, one of the lecturers told me they were looking for buddies. At Social Work you have to put in volunteer hours, so I thought: why not?’ And so Bas Jan’s adventure as a buddy began, because an adventure it was, especially for Grotius students. The education system can be quite a challenge. ‘Turkish students tell me that in Turkey they attend lectures for four hours and get a passing grade for a test if they write down exactly what the lecturer has said. In the Netherlands, you have to write reflection reports and work in groups. That is completely new to them.’

‘He didn’t want to tell me at first, but later he gave me an envelope stating that he had passed his exam’

Bas Jan’s role is more than just a guide within the education system. ‘I always try to be available, even if they ask me something in the evening. That helps to build a bond of trust.’ Often, he simply approaches someone and asks: What are you having for dinner tonight? ‘In other cultures, that is a standard phrase to open a conversation. Something like Nice weather, isn’t it?’ Bas Jan became good friends with a Turkish student. ‘During Ramadan, we went to an iftar together. I asked him if he had passed his exam, on which we had been working very hard together. At first, he didn’t want to tell me, but at the end, he gave me an envelope stating that he had passed and was going to study Human Resources Management. Things like this really put a smile on my face.’

Of course Bas Jan also hears about the problems the students encounter. ‘The most common obstacle is the B2 language exam, a real stumbling block. That is why we provide group lessons twice a week, where students speak Dutch for a whole afternoon.’ Besides the language exam, the Dutch courses of action are also a challenge. ‘A Syrian woman was taking driving lessons and asked when the instructor would stop sitting next to her. In Syria, you are allowed to drive alone after three lessons, so she was very surprised that over here you need at least 25 of them.’

‘It’s a shame about those negative stories… the majority of statushouders really want to do well’

The experiences with statushouders have taught Bas Jan a lot. ‘These students are so driven to make something of themselves! You often hear negative stories in the media and in my immediate circle. That is such a shame, because the majority really want to do well.’

At the end of the year, it seemed that Bas Jan would have to stop being a buddy. ‘My teacher asked if I wanted to participate in Grotius again, because he saw that I was enjoying it. Unfortunately, I had to decline because of the mandatory day internships.’ But the lecturer and Bas Jan didn’t give up. ‘Together with the supervisor, we made sure that you can now also do an internship with the program’, says Bas Jan.

Whatever the future holds for Bas-Jan, one thing is clear. He wants to continue dedicating himself to people who are struggling. ‘I would like to continue as a language coach. And if I can, I will continue to dedicate myself to the Grotius program. It is really something that gives me energy.’

‘When you experience how hard these people are willing to work for a better future, it changes your view of the world’

He therefore encourages others to become a buddy. ‘It really offers you new perspectives. Many students don’t know what they are missing, because they only know the negative image of refugees. But when you experience how hard these people are willing to work for a better future, it changes your view of the world.’ And besides that, it is also good for yourself, Bas Jan says. ‘If everyone would support each other, the world would look a lot better. It is not only good for the statushouders, but also for yourself. It helps you grow, both as a person and as a student.’

Photo (fragment): Daniek Snijder