Do International Study Programmes Pay Off for Local Students?

International study programmes are increasing in number worldwide, but little is known about the impact on local students' job prospects, especially a non-English speaking countries. Using rich administrative data from Statistics Netherlands, we analyse labour market outcomes of native graduates master Dutch universities between 2006 to 2014 within 5 years after graduation. A coarsened exact matching analysis cohort-university-detailed field group addresses self-selection issue by generating matched sample students with similar characteristics. We find that international programmmes obtain wage premium 2.3% starting 1st year graduation, ceteris paribus. The keeps 1% every year. investigate mechanisms through which operates. premia can neither be explained increase via cross-firm mobility, nor faster upward mobility firm. Instead, evidence point towards differential characteristics first upon Graduates much more likely choose large firms have higher share foreign-born employees and business trade for job. They get head start level initial advantages persist long-run.