Julian Diaz de Pool: “The optimization of processes begins with managing your staff. My research is about brain gain: how do you get talented people to come here and, what’s at least as important: How do you make sure that they stay here? You must try to avoid a brain drain -students with knowledge who leave the Netherlands after finishing their studies.”

“I conducted my research among the international students of the university. I am one of those myself (Julian comes from Colombia and grew up in Curacao, ed.), so I know more or less what doubts they have when they have to decide whether to stay on here or not.”

“My research is based on the theory of planned behavior, which has three components: behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs. Behavioral is about the pros or cons that the respondent associates with staying in the Netherlands. Normative means the pressure that is felt to follow the opinions of parents, friends or relatives, and control is about the ability to actually carry out the choice that’s been made.”

Julian has used both in-depth interviews and questionnaires. “The main reasons for students to stay here are better career options and personal development. They mention as chief reasons for going back that they miss their family and friends and have the feeling that they don’t belong in the Netherlands. Something else I noticed was that while many people do intend to stay, they don’t want to do so for a long-term period. They are talking about two to five years.”

Julian himself thinks that the Netherlands, and Eindhoven in particular, can exert some influence on the students. “These are very tough choices for students. A city like Eindhoven can make that choice easier by initiating things that might help students feel more at home here.” (HB)