Free SSSD Workshop Helps Students Prepare Mindfully for Studying in Netherlands

The two-hour session on March 26 at the University of St. Martin in Philipsburg was the opening installment of a new two-part series organized by the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of Sint Maarten's Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs. Admission was free, and the doors were open to every student heading to the Netherlands, regardless of whether they travel as free-movers or hold government financing.

"Whether you're about to graduate, preparing for exams, or a recent graduate and is planning to study in the Netherlands, this workshop is for you," SSSD officials said. That framing reflects a recurring theme in the division's programming: the gap between leaving Sint Maarten and being genuinely ready for what comes next. According to SSSD officials, many students experience difficulties because they are unprepared for many of the realities of studying and living in the Netherlands, and these workshops are aimed at helping to equip them to be successful.

The SSSD is again hosting the workshop titled "Mindfulness: Success in Studying in The Netherlands (Part I)," the first of a two-part series specifically geared at students planning to continue their studies in the Netherlands. The 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. format mirrors sessions SSSD has run in previous years, with the same venue and time slot used consistently since at least 2024. Earlier iterations of the series focused on the psycho-social aspects of studying in the Netherlands, targeting secondary school students in their exam class, those who recently graduated, and those planning to pursue their studies abroad. Session content has covered dealing with adjustment difficulties, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and other relevant topics.

The workshops are interactive, with participants receiving practical tips and the opportunity to have their questions answered directly. All topics across sessions are interrelated but different in nature, and participants are provided with tips while their questions are answered. Pre-registration was not mandatory in previous editions of the series, and the 2026 announcement encourages students to reach out for information but does not require advance sign-up.

SSSD provides services to students referred by schools, including psychological, counseling, social work, educational diagnostic, and speech language pathology services, as well as general services such as career services, parent sessions, and school crisis response.

Students can contact SSSD at 543-1235 or email studentsupportservices@sintmaartengov.org to register or obtain more information, and can also visit the SSSD office in the Gatspy Building, across from the Police Station and next to WIB. Part II of the 2026 series has not yet been publicly dated, but based on the program's history, a follow-on session is expected later in the spring.