Done with integration: Bugrahan

Refugees who are allowed to stay in the Netherlands are called status holders. Status holders are required to integrate. Since January 1, 2022, they have been following a new integration trajectory. The goal: to participate in society as quickly and fully as possible. This year, the first status holders in our municipality have completed this process. We introduce some of them to you. Who are they? What did they think of their integration? What are they doing now? This time, a profile of Bugrahan.

Bugrahan is 23 years old and came to the Netherlands four years ago from Turkey. His family had to flee for political reasons. He now lives with his father, mother, and two brothers in Ooij. He has found his place well in the Netherlands. In September, he even started studying medicine at Radboud University. He was lucky—he was one of the last to be admitted to the program. But he also worked extremely hard to get there in such a short time.

He had already studied medicine for a year and a half in Turkey, but in the Netherlands, he had to start from scratch. First, he had to learn the Dutch language and integrate. Bugrahan followed the education route, which is designed for young people who want to pursue further education. He learned Dutch up to level B2 and completed subjects in biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics at VWO level. Like all status holders, he also followed the program on Dutch society, including how things are organized, our values, and norms. In addition, he worked at Kalorama and met weekly with his language partner, whom he met through school.

Eventually, he was admitted to the medicine program at the last minute. He had already been studying astronomy for two weeks when he heard he had secured a spot. “I’ve been very lucky!” Bugrahan finds the program challenging but manageable. “At university, you often have to take the initiative and study independently. But I get good advice from my study advisor. I also looked at old exams to understand what’s expected—that really helped! What do I want to do? I’d like to become a heart surgeon. I want to do something useful for people. The heart is the most important organ we have. Without a heart, you can’t live.”

Bugrahan is happy with his life in the Netherlands. His studies are going well, he has friends, goes to parties, works on-call at Kalorama, and when possible, goes to the gym with his brother. The only thing he sometimes finds difficult is that in the Netherlands, you have to plan everything, even meetings with friends. “I’m just a spontaneous person,” he says with a laugh.

What is integration?

People who are new to the Netherlands and are allowed to stay must integrate. Integration includes learning the Dutch language and understanding how we live and work in the Netherlands. They must also take exams.

Since 2022, the municipality has taken charge of the integration trajectory. The first step in this process is an interview and a test to assess what the newcomer already knows. After this so-called broad intake, the municipality, together with the newcomer, creates a personal plan. This plan outlines which learning route the newcomer will follow to integrate and which exams they need to take.

There are three learning routes:

• B1 route: This route prepares for paid work or volunteer work in the Netherlands. The newcomer takes language exams at B1 level within three years. This is the level at which most Dutch people read and write.
• Education route: This route is mainly for young people who want to progress to vocational (mbo), higher professional (hbo), or university education. The newcomer takes language exams at B1 or B2 level within three years. B2 is one level higher than B1. They also follow KNM and PVT (see explanation below).
• Self-sufficiency route: This route is for newcomers for whom the B1 or education route is too difficult. They learn Dutch up to a maximum of A1 or A2 level and work on practical self-sufficiency and participation in Dutch society.

In addition to the learning route, newcomers also follow these components:

• MAP (Labor Market and Participation Module): Preparation for work or other forms of participation, such as volunteering or day activities.
• PVT (Participation Declaration Trajectory): Explanation of important Dutch values, such as freedom, equality, and respect.
• KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society): Knowledge about how the Netherlands is organized, for example, regarding housing, healthcare, education, and government.