Recently the Aruban student Franklin Seute visited the “Arubahuis” (Office of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba) to give them a copy of his book “Living rich as a student in the Netherlands: from broke to a frugal lifestyle.”
Minister Plenipotentiary sr. Guillfred Besaril, as well as Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes, who was in the Netherlands on a business trip, were present on this special occasion.
Franklin Seute moved to the Netherlands in 2015 and is in his last year at Avanse Hogeschool, studying Mechatronics. The book focuses on personal finance as a student and promotes a more conscience and effective lifestyle. He was inspired to write and publish this book based on his own life as a student. He aims to inform and bring awareness to personal finance and the importance of saving and how to live a frugal lifestyle. In his book, Franklin gives relevant information on a student’s income and monthly expenses and gives different examples of applying these to your own situation.
The book is aimed at international students living in the Netherlands. Many laws and rules in the Netherlands differ from what students are used to in their country of origin. Therefore, the writer and Arubahuis advise Aruban students to note what is written in the book and always verify what applies to them as a student. This way, you avoid getting fines or find yourself in administrative problems with institutes in the Netherlands. For example, health insurance, healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), student loan, and other aspects of the Dutch tax system.
During the meeting, they went through the book and exchanged thoughts on different aspects. Together will continue brainstorming on how to provide the book’s content in a workshop for (future) students y also to make the book more accessible through schools and the National Library. Arubahuis agreed on providing its input where necessary for the second edition of this book. It will elaborate more on insurance for international students and other Dutch aspects relevant to Aruban students.
Both Prime Minister Wever-Croes as Minister Besaril congratulated the student on the publication of his book. They admire the sacrifice it took to publish a book with such important information for international students.
Pictures are courtesy of Cas di Aruba.
