Experiences within a pre-bachelor programme for refugees : insights from Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands

Abstract

The current ‘migration crisis’ in Europe started at the end of 2014, as migrants, primarily from Africa and Syria, and mainly due to war, arrived in Europe in big numbers. Initially, the European Council labelled the situation as tragic (European Council statement 2015, European Commission and its priorities, 2018). With the growing influx of migrants, member states started referring to the situation as a security problem, resulting in a greater reluctance to accept newcomers into their territory. In February 2016, the EU member states imposed a European border, deployed coast guards and implemented a joint Turkey action plan. “Fortress Europe” was gaining momentum. Europe promised aid to Western Balkan countries in handling the massive migration waves. Countries were forced to accept a quota of migrants (Bauerová, 2015).