Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Today’s report that new Plenipotentiary Minister in The Hague Josianne Artsen attended the first St. Maarten Student Support Services S4 mentors intervention meeting is most welcome. Guidance is obviously very important for the island’s “best and brightest†sent to the Netherlands every year to further their education.
That the request for such a trouble-shooting and networking forum came from the mentors indicates a clear desire to improve. Sharing experiences and best practices with each other and with the organisation obviously can contribute to doing so and coming together every quarter certainly seems like a sensible idea.
It’s important for society to do what it can to increase these students’ chance of success. The appeal in Tuesday’s paper on local businesses to register for the “Flinx Recruitment Expo Dutch Caribbean†FRED in Rotterdam June 4-7 therefore ought to be answered positively where possible.
After all, one of the main complaints from those who study abroad is often that there are no suitable jobs to be found when they return. However, they also must do their part; for example, by attending FRED.
Moreover, students should take an early interest in what actually goes on locally in their respective fields, so they don’t have false expectations. Vacations on the island can be used to approach related companies and other organisations, perhaps investing some free time in familiarising oneself with their activities and even doing some work for free if necessary.
Counting on automatic employment on graduation simply isn’t realistic. Be pro-active and remember that God helps those who help themselves.
