Photo Guy Ackermans Carmelita (fictional character) had moved to the Netherlands to begin her journey as an external PhD. Although excited and grateful for the opportunity to attend Wageningen University, she had to confront the unexpected reality of discrimination. She was experiencing the annoying and unjust face of a system, to be discriminated because of one’s nationality. Among many unexpected situations, the most recent was from an insurance company which withheld her health insurance application because she came from one of the targeted countries (Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Belarus, Iran, Ukraine, and Russia) which must go through an ‘additional compliance check’. The company communicated that it was nothing personal. Yet, she could not help but to ask: ‘Why should I be treated differently based on my nationality, especially when it comes to health-related matters?’
An insurance company withheld her health insurance application because she came from one of the targeted countries
This is one of many companies that do the same with international PhD students, making the life of the foreigner even more complicated and frustrating . Additionally, Wageningen University does not provide health insurance for external PhD candidates. A lack of institutional representation and support aggravates any systemic discrimination much more while putting extra mental and emotional pressure on the PhD student.
We should ask ourselves ‘How can we prevent people from being discriminated?’ I’m certain that the answer should include an academic institution supporting its students, regardless of whether they are students or employees, and certainly regardless of their nationalities.
Willy Contreras-Avilés (34) is a second-year PhD candidate in Horticulture and Biochemistry of medicinal cannabis, from Panama. He likes to dance (perrear), cook Italian food, and swim.
