The new academic year has got underway at our region's universities. This academic year, Ghent University (UGent) has noted a sharp rise in the number of students from the United States that are taking course in climate and the environmental science there. Among the reasons for coming to study in Flanders cited by the US students in Ghent is President Trump's policy of significantly reducing budgets for education and research. VRT News spoke with several Americans that are studying in Ghent.
Big increase in US students taking climate and environment courses at Ghent University
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The Faculty of Bioengineering at Ghent University usually has just one or two new American students each year. However, this year, there are around ten and the university is expecting that even more will enroll. A reason often cited are the policies regarding higher education, in particular environmental and climate science, that are being pursued by the Trump Administration.
Colby is studying for a master’s degree in agronomy (the study of soil) at UGent. Colby told VRT News that “The Trump administration is significantly reducing budgets for scientific research, and scientists can no longer express themselves freely, especially on climate issues”.
"I'm from Florida, and a lot is changing in education right now. Laws limit what schools can teach, determine which books can be available in libraries, and universities have to give up some of their independence to administrations led by political ideas... You'll find many students that think like me."
Hanna has a master's degree in environmental science. She shares Colby’s view on the situation in her home country. “After my bachelor's degree, I worked for a while at the Environmental Protection Department in Florida. I saw jobs disappear, we couldn't comment on anything anymore, we were constantly being monitored.”
“Many people were forced to leave. I myself felt that I had to find a place where people really believe in climate change and where I could find opportunities to work in that sector. I think many Americans would leave their country if they could.”
“Here in Europe, Trump is often seen as a funny man who says amusing things. But the reality is actually very serious, and many people don't realise it.”
Hanna added that she is considering staying in Europe permanently. “It will all depend on my future studies, my professional opportunities here and how the situation in the United States develops, but staying in Europe is definitely an option.”
Elishka also wants to stay in Ghent or elsewhere in Europe for as long as possible. “You can feel that science and research are much more supported in Belgium and Europe. There is a drive to innovate and be sustainable, whereas in the United States, science is undervalued. Our country does not support what we do.”
"After my studies, I hope to be able to work here in the environmental field. Part of my heart remains in the United States, but for students that are passionate about climate and ecology, the situation there has become unbearable."
Lane told us the same story. Lane feels much better in Ghent than at the American university where she was studying last year. "The general climate in the United States is extremely tense. Jobs are disappearing, there are security issues on campus, and it's dangerous to speak out... Here, everyone is incredibly welcoming. I feel safe, and I can be myself, which I couldn't be in the United States."
UGent expects to welcome even more American students
Not all the American students we met chose to come to Belgium solely because of the Trump administration's policies. The high cost of enrolling at an American university also played a role in their decision to come here. UGent is also actively developing its partnerships with American universities.
The university’s Wim Hoste told VRT News that "We have indeed stepped up our recruitment efforts. However, this is still a remarkable increase in the number of American students."
He adds that current government policies in the United States is making it much more difficult for students to gain access to access to higher education: "University grants are disappearing, scholarships are being cut, some courses are simply being wiped off the map, simply because they teach about climate or the environment. Some students no longer have the possibility to continue their studies at home and are looking to the other side of the Atlantic for a solution."
UGent expects the number of American students to continue to increase in the coming years. "Students tell us that their friends, family, and acquaintances are weighing up their options. If the situation in the United States does not change, it is likely that more will of them will come".