Guide for international students: Meet Eugène Eijken

17 June 2024

Planning to move to the Netherlands to study music or dance at a high level? Meet Eugène Eijken, the dedicated International Students Adviser at the Royal Conservatoire. With almost 25 years of experience, he is an indispensable mainstay for international students who want to fulfil their musical dreams in the Netherlands.

Who is Eugène Eijken?

Eugène Eijken

Eugène Eijken works as International Students Adviser at the Royal Conservatoire. His connection with the conservatoire goes way back; he himself studied recorder at the conservatoire in the early 1980s and harpsichord as a minor subject. "I went through two moves of the conservatoire, as a first-year student to Juliana van Stolberglaan and recently to Amare," he says.

In 1989, Eugène joined the KC as a harpsichord tuner. Since 1999, he also fulfills the role of International Students Adviser, a position he has held with great dedication for almost 25 years.

Expertise of an International Students Adviser: from residence permit to insurances

During his long career, Eugène has accumulated a wealth of experience. He helps international students with all kinds of practical issues around their stay in the Netherlands, from immigration procedures to accommodation. "Basically, everything that is not directly related to study," he explains. "I assist with arranging residence permits, insurance, and also with applications for student loans from abroad."

Navigating Immigration Procedures

Although the core of his work has remained the same, many things have changed. "It has become easier here and there. For example, the Dutch Immigration Service (IND) now works much more efficiently, and we are appointed as so-called ‘recognised sponsor’, which means we take over a lot of the administrative work."

Eugène guides non-EU/EEA students through the complex immigration procedures. "The non-EU/EEA students have to submit the required documentation for the residence permit for study purpose to the KC and these are tested against the strict requirements of the IND by me. This can sometimes be an intensive process and during the period from April to September I am very busy with this."

Are you planning to move to the Netherlands? Take a look on this page to find all information on how to prepare your stay

The value of personal interaction

The favourite aspect of Eugène's job is the personal interaction with students. "I remember a student from Argentina whom I helped with his entry visa and residence permit many years ago. Recently, I met him again as a successful conductor at the Royal Theatre in The Hague. He told me that I was the only person he knew when he arrived that time. That gives a huge sense of satisfaction."

Housing in The Hague

Eugène often gets questions about scholarships and housing. "Finding a student room is much harder now than when I started. It can almost be called a crisis." For that reason, he advises students to start their search well in advance and to use online platforms. "Come to the Netherlands at least two weeks before the start of the academic year to arrange as much as possible, so that you can start your studies more relaxed."Find more information on how to find a house in The Hague on this page

The Hague as an ideal study location

Why should international students choose The Hague? According to Eugène, the Netherlands, and specifically The Hague, offers international students an ideal environment for artistic development. "The Hague is a very open and international city, with many important organisations and embassies. The Royal Conservatoire itself attracts already for many years international students from almost overall the world because of its famous teachers, specialized programmes and interesting projects."