Eight Statia Students Head to the Netherlands for Higher Education

Eight students from Sint Eustatius (Statia) departed the island on Saturday, August 1, 2026, to begin their studies in the Netherlands. The students had recently completed their secondary education on the island and will enroll in a range of programs across universities, colleges, and vocational institutions in the Netherlands. The annual departure of graduating students marks a significant milestone for the small Caribbean island, which has no higher education institutions of its own. Like many young people from the Dutch Caribbean, these students must travel abroad — typically to the Netherlands — to access tertiary education. The move represents both a personal achievement and a broader challenge for Statia, as the island regularly sees its youth leave following secondary school graduation.