Western Europe countries • Western Europe has a population of approximately 196 million.
• Most countries in Western Europe are members of the NATO military alliance and the European Union.
• Some of the most famous museums, galleries and orchestras are located in Western Europe.
• Western Europe was the home of artists like Van Gogh and Monet, and musicians like Beethoven and Chopin.
• Western Europe is the home of popular fashion brands, including Christian Dior, Chanel, Adidas, and Bally.
Country: Austria capital: Vienna language: German location: Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, approximately between Germany, Italy and Hungary. FLAG: The Austrian flag has three stripes, two red and one white. According to my colleagues here at the university, the red stands for strength and bravery while the white stands for peace and honesty. BELIEF AND TRADITION: Religious freedom is guaranteed in the Austrian constitution. Since the 2001 Census for Austria, no official data has been collected on religious affiliation to maintain a secular stance. Nonetheless, Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, continues to be the predominant religion in Austria.
Cuisine : Austrian cuisine is a style of cuisine native to Austria and composed of influences from Central Europe and throughout the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.[1] Austrian cuisine is most often associated with Viennese cuisine, but there are significant regional variations. NATIONAL FLOWER: Austria. The national flower of Austria is edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale). The national animal of Austria is the golden eagle , but they also have an official bird: the barn swallow.
Currency: Austria is also a member of the economic and currency unions, adopting the Euro as the common currency. 1 Euro = 100 Cents . The following Euro bank notes and coins are in circulation: Bank notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. RELIGION : St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. According to church membership data, in 2021 53.9% of the population were Roman Catholics and 3.0% adhered to Protestant churches. Austria was historically a strongly Catholic country, having been the centre of the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918) which championed Roman Catholicism. CLOTHING: Women wear 'Dirndls', a close-fitting bodice combined with an apron in different colors; either it is sleeveless and worn with a cotton and lace blouse, or it has sleeves and a high neck. Men wear 'Lederhosen', knee-length trousers or short-pants made from leather, worn with rustic shoes and wool socks.
Festival: the Grafenegg Festival is a major international classical music festival in Grafenegg, close to Vienna, Austria. The annual festival takes place on the grounds of Schloss Grafenegg. AIRPORT: Vienna Airport , German : Flughafen Wien-Schwechat , Slovak : Letisko Viedeň-Švechat , ( IATA : VIE , ICAO : LOWW ) is the international airport of Vienna , the capital of Austria . It is located in Schwechat , 18 km (11 mi) southeast of central Vienna and 57 kilometres (35 mi) west of Bratislava , the capital of Slovakia . Its name in the Austrian Aeronautical Information Publication is Wien- Schwechat Airport .
MAIN PORT: The Port of Vienna is the largest Austrian river port and one of the largest ports on the Danube River, with a total annual traffic capacity of around 12 million tonnes of cargo. CLIMATE: The climate of Austria can be classified as Cfb Climate; a warm temperated humid climate with the warmest month lower than 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) over average and four or more months above 50 (10 degrees Celsius) over average. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: It is estimated by the Filipino ambassador to Austria that 30,000 Filipino Austrians currently live in Austria. 13,499 Filipino Austrians were born in the Philippines, with 5,823 of them holding Philippine citizenship.
Country: Belgium capital: Brussels language: Dutch, French and German location: Belgium is situated in the west of Europe, bordered to the north by the Netherlands, to the east by Germany and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and to the south and the west by France. Although its surface area of 30,688 km2 makes it a small country, its location has made it the economic and urban nerve centre of Europe. FLAG: Vertically striped black-yellow-red national flag. Its width-to-length ratio is 13 to 15. A rampant lion appeared in the seal of Count Philip of Flanders as early as 1162, while its colours (a gold shield and a black lion) are known to have existed since 1171.
Belief and tradition: Belgium’s religious tradition is Catholic, although Protestant churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are found in most cities. About 65% of the population is Christian, of which 58% are Catholic. Members of Protestant, Eastern Orthodox churches and other Christian denominations make up 7%. CUISINE: Moules-frites/Mosselen met friet: mussels cooked or steamed with onions and celery served with Belgian fries. The recipe has often been referred to as the country's national dish but is also popular in the neighboring Nord region of France. NATIONAL FLOWER: The national flower of Belgium is the Red Poppy (Papaver rhoeas).
The lion, especially the Leo Belgicus (Latin for “Belgian Lion”) has been used as a heraldic animal to represen the Benelux for centuries. CURRENCY: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Belgium on 1 January 2002, after a transitional period of three years when the euro was the official currency but only existed as 'book money'. RELIGION: Belgium's religious tradition is Catholic , although Protestant churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are found in most cities. About 65% of the population is Christian, of which 58% are Catholic. Members of Protestant, Eastern Orthodox churches and other Christian denominations make up 7%.
CLOTHING: The traditional dark-coloured clothing and white aprons (a style once worn by the Dutch and the Flemings), and men wear the old-fashioned caps. FESTIVAL: Belgian National Day is celebrated across Belgium and in Belgian emigrant communities abroad on 21 July . It is a public holiday, being one of ten observed nationally each year. AIRPORT: T he Brussels Airport is also called Luchthaven Zaventem Airport or the Brussels-National Airport. The airport is located at a distance of 12 km from the city center of Brussels and connects Brussels to different destinations and European cities.
Main port: With more than 300 liner services and 800 destinations, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the second largest port in Europe and a true world port. Brussels experiences a mild oceanic climate typical of northern Europe, with cold winters and warm summers . FILIPINO RESIDENTS: Of the 12,224 Filipinos estimated to be living in Belgium, the CFO estimates that 5,000 (40.9%) are "irregular" or living without legal residency status, while 6,840 (56.0%) and 384 (3.1%) Filipinos have "permanent" and "temporary" status, respectively.
Country: france capital: paris language: French location: France is located in Western Europe. Its neighbors to the southwest are Spain and the small country of Andorra, while it is bordered from the northeast by Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, and to the east by Switzerland and Italy. FLAG: The "tricolore" (three-colour) flag is an emblem of the Fifth Republic . It had its origins in the union, at the time of the French Revolution, of the colours of the King (white) and the City of Paris (blue and red). Today, the "tricolour" flies over all public buildings.
BELIEF AND TRADITION: Most French citizens consider themselves to be Christian (primarily Catholic). Historically, Catholicism played a significant role in shaping French culture and was the state religion until 1789. In French tradition, kings were even crowned within the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral until 1825. CUISINE: Renowned for its diverse and sophisticated cuisine, including dishes like coq au vin, ratatouille, and crème brûlée. NATIONAL FLOWER: The Iris, also called fleur-de-lis, has officially represented France since the 12 th century as both the country’s insignia and national emblem. Before it was the National Flower of France, the Iris was the official flower of the Roman Empire’s ruling class.
The Red Junglefowl or Gallic rooster is the national bird of France and the European Rabbit or Coney is the national animal of France. CURRENCY: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in France on 1 January 2002, after a transitional period of three years when the euro was the official currency but only existed as 'book money'. The dual circulation period – when both the French franc and the euro had legal tender status – ended on 17 February 2002. RELIGION : It is estimated that 63-66% of the population identify as Catholic, 7-9% identify as Muslim, 0.5-0.75% identify as Jewish, 0.5-0.75% identify as Buddhist and 0.5-1% identify with some other religion. A further 23-28% of the population is believed to be unaffiliated with any religion.
CLOTHING: There is no national dress for France and the various regional costumes are all curiosities now, not standard dress. FESTIVAL: Bastille Day , national holiday in France and its overseas départements and territories, marking the anniversary of the fall on July 14, 1789, of the Bastille, in Paris. Originally built as a medieval fortress, the Bastille eventually came to be used as a state prison. AIRPORT: Charles de Gaulle International Airport Recognised as the largest and busiest airport in France, the Charles De Gaulle International Airport is the major airport
MAIN PORT: Marseille- Fos Port (French: Grand port maritime de Marseille, lit. ‘Great Seaport of Marseille’) is the main trade seaport of France. CLIMATE: Summers are warm, with some thunderstorms, and winters are cold . Temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius and, in the mountains, are frequently accompanied by snow. In the South, the climate is Mediterranean. Summers are hot and winters mild and dry. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: About 50,000 Filipinos resided in France in 2020 , with a large share of the population consisting of those who arrived illegally. 80% of Filipinos in France have lived in the nation for less than seven years, and 95% have lived in France for less than 15 years.
Country: Germany capital: Berlin language: German location: Germany is in Central Europe, bordering Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the south-west, and Belgium and the Netherlands in the north-west. FLAG: The national flag of Germany is a tricolour consisting of three equal horizontal bands displaying the national colours of Germany: black, red, and gold (German: Schwarz-Rot-Gold). The flag was first sighted in 1848 in the German Confederation. The flag was also used by the German Empire from 1848 to 1849.
BELIEF ANF TRADITION: Germany boasts a millennia-long history, influencing European thought, politics, and art. Its culture blends Christian values with literature, art, philosophy, logic, and a fondness for beer and sausages. CUISINE: sauerbraten, in German cuisine, dish of spiced braised beef . A solid cut from the round or rump is marinated for three or four days in red wine and vinegar flavoured with onions, bay leaves, juniper berries, cloves, and peppercorns. NATIONAL FLOWER: Cornflowers, a beautiful blue-violet bloom , is the national flower for Germany.
The heraldic animal of the Federal Republic of Germany is the eagle. RELIGION: Christianity is the dominant religion in Germany while Islam is the biggest minority religion. There are a number more faiths, however, that together account for the religions of around 3-4% of the population. CURRENCY: Germany only uses euros. Since 2002, it no longer uses the Deutsche mark . Deutsche mark bills and coins can be exchanged for euros at federal bank locations in Germany.
CLOTHING: Dirndls and lederhosen may quickly come to mind as traditional German clothing. These outfits originated in Bavaria but have been widely adopted elsewhere. A dirndl is a dress consisting of a blouse, bodice, skirt, and apron. FESTIVAL: A few of the main national festivals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland include; the moveable feasts including the Easter celebrations – Palmsonntag, Karfreitag, Ostern, Ostermontag and Ascension day (Christi Himmelfahrt), Fasching during lent season (called Karneval in Germany), Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch)
Country: Liechtenstein capital: Vaduz language: german location: Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east and north. FLAG: H orizontally divided blue-red national flag with a yellow crown in the upper hoist corner. The flag has a width-to-length ratio of 3 to 5. Traditionally, flags of territories ruled by royalty in Europe have corresponded to the “livery colours” of the ruler's coat of arms. BELIEF AND TRADITION: Roman Catholic Christianity The Roman Catholic Church is the official national religion of Liechtenstein, and 75.9% of its total population adheres to the faith. The constitution of Lichtenstein declared the Roman Catholic Church as the official state church and is protected entirely by the government.
CUISINE: Liechtenstein’s national dish is “ Käsknöpfle ”. A simple dough made of flour, eggs, water, salt and pepper is the basis for this culinary delight. The finished Knöpfle are served with local cheese, fried onions and apple puree aside. Corn was a valued source of energy in the Rhine Valley for a long time. NATIONAL FLOWER: The National flower of Liechtenstein is Neroli Viviparum Lily . Botanical name is N/A. The National animal of Liechtenstein is Kestrel
CURRENCY: Introduced in 1850, the Swiss franc (CHF) is the official currency of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Italian exclave of Campione d’Italia, and is the only franc remaining in Europe. REGION: The Principality of Liechtenstein is located in Western Europe between Switzerland and Austria, making Liechtenstein one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. With a total area of 62 square miles, Liechtenstein is roughly the geographic size of Washington, DC. CLOTHING: The official national dress of Liechtenstein features a black skirt and a white blouse with crocheted and bobbin laced necklines and sleeves. Bodices and aprons are made of silk; their traditional colour was red, but modern designs often substitute blue or green.
FESTIVAL: Liechtenstein celebrates various festivals throughout the year, including the National Day on August 15 th and the Prince’s Birthday on July 15 th , which are marked with festivities, fireworks, and cultural events. Main airport and main port: Liechtenstein does not have its own airport or port due to its small size and lack of direct access to the sea. The nearest major airports are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF), as Liechtenstein is in a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: Lichtenstein is host to around 38, including the 16 who have already acquired Liechtensteiner citizenship. Majority of Filipinos residing in Lichtenstein are married mainly to Liechtensteiners and some to German nationals.
Country: Luxembourg capital: Luxembourg language: Luxembourgish, French, German location: Read a brief summary of this topic. Luxembourg, landlocked country in northwestern Europe. One of the world’s smallest countries, it is bordered by Belgium on the west and north, France on the south, and Germany on the northeast and east. FLAG: The national flag of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerger Fändel; German: Flagge Luxemburgs; French: Drapeau du Luxembourg) consists of three horizontal stripes, red, white and light blue, and can be in 1:2 or 3:5 ratio . It was first used between 1845 and 1848 and officially adopted in 1993.
Luxembourg is a predominantly Christian country, with most of the population practicing Catholicism. However, there is also a significant minority of Muslims and Jews, as well as other religions represented in smaller numbers. The majority of people speak Luxembourgish, which is the national language of Luxembourg. CUISINE: The national dish of Luxembourg is Judd mat Gaardebounen . This traditional recipe is made by soaking smoked and salted pork neck (judd) in water overnight and then boiling it with vegetables and spices such as bay leaves and cloves. NATIONAL FLOWER: The Rose, Rosa , is the most significant scent to Luxembourg, known as “Ville des Roses,” the City of Roses. It is the country's national flower, cultivated in world renowned gardens across the city.
Featuring the Lion, Luxembourg’s national animal – Designed to coordinate with our Luxembourg national symbol collection, this regal giant can stand just fine on his own as well. CURRENCY: The symbol for the Luxembourg Franc is fr. or F. On January 1, 1999, the Luxembourg Franc was replaced by the Euro (€). 1 Euro is equal to about 40 Luxembourg Francs. RELIGION: As of 2018, 73.2% of Luxembourg’s population adhere to forms of Christianity (63.8% are Catholics, 1.8% are Protestants, 3.0% are Orthodox Christians while 4.6% adhere to other Christian denominations). 2.6% of the population are Muslims and 0.6% are followers of other non-Christian religions.
CLOTHING: 3) Luxembourg traditional costume of men is blue smocks and dark trousers colourfully accented by the ribbons and pompoms they wear. Women wear a red and white dread with colorful ribbon as well FESTIVAL: Luxembourg's national holiday is celebrated on June 23 . Each commune celebrates the event with its citizens, whatever their nationality. In the capital, the festivities begin on June 22 with the solemn changing of the guard. A torchlight procession and a magnificent fireworks display are organized in the evening. AIRPORT: Luxembourg-Findel Airport has three terminals (Terminals A & B plus a business terminal) and can handle up to 3 million passengers per year as well as around 700,000 tons of freight .
MAIN PORT: The Mertert river port is the only trimodal platform (water/highway/rail) in Luxembourg. It has a surface area of 65 hectares and plays a major role in the import and export of heavy materials such as oil, agri-food products, ferrous and building materials. CLIMATE: Luxembourg has a continental climate with cold winters and relatively mild-warm summers. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: Luxembourg: As of 2017, there are around 427 Filipinos in Luxembourg. Luxembourg offers opportunities in various sectors such as finance, technology, and research. It's important to familiarize yourself with local laws, customs, and cultural norms to fully integrate into your new environment.
Country: PRINCIPALITY OF monaco capital: Monaco doesn’t have a capital ; it is a city-state itself. language: location: Monaco is located on the French Riviera in Western Europe, bordered by France and the Mediterranean Sea. FLAG: The flag of Monaco consists of two horizontal stripes, red over white, which are said to represent the Grimaldi family. BELIEF AND TRADITION: St. Devota is the patron saint of the Principality of Monaco, the Royal Family and the Archdiocese of Monaco, and is also the patron saint of Corsica. In the Principality of Monaco, the Roman Catholic apostolic religion is the State religion, and St.
CUISINE: Barbajuan – Monaco’s national dish. NATIONAL FLOWER: The carnation is the national flower of Spain, Monaco, and Slovenia, and the provincial flower of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. Monaco. Perhaps that most unusual of all, Monaco has three national animals – the hedgehog, rabbit and wood mouse.
CURRENCY: The official currency of Monaco is the euro , with 1 euro is divided into 100 cents. The euro has been used in Monaco since 2002, replacing the formerly used Monégasque franc. RELIGION: The constitution states that Roman Catholicism is the state religion. The Catholic Archbishop of Monaco occupies the highest government office below the sovereign and the Minister of Sta te. CLOTHING: Monaco has a modern and fashionable dress style, influenced by its affluent status and Mediterranean climate.
FESTIVAL: The Principality of Monaco comes alive every year on the 19 th of November for its most cherished celebration, the Fête Nationale . This national day is a spectacular showcase of tradition, elegance, and unity, embodying the essence of Monaco’s rich cultural heritage. AIRPORT: Monaco has no airport, but has Monaco Heliport in the district of Fontvieille. The nearest major airport is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France. MAIN PORT: Port Hercules (French: Port Hercule [pɔʁ ɛʁkyl]) is the only deep-water port in Monaco. The port has been in use since ancient times. The modern port was completed in 1926, and underwent substantial improvements in the 1970s.
CLIMATE: Monaco has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa), with strong maritime influences, with some resemblances to the humid subtropical climate (Cfa). As a result, it has balmy warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: There are Filipino residents living in Monaco, likely working in various sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, or domestic services. Maldives: As of 2018, there were 3,000 Filipinos in the Maldives. Mexico: As of 2010, there are 1,200 Filipinos in Mexico. Micronesia: As of 2017, there are around 1,910 Filipinos in Micronesia. Monaco: As of 2017, there are around 261 Filipinos in Monaco.
Country: Netherlands capital: Amsterdam language: Dutch location: The Netherlands is a small country sandwiched between Belgium and Germany in Western Europe. The North Sea, located to the north and west of the Netherlands, is continually battering the land. FLAG: T he red, white, and blue colors represent the colors of the coat of arms of the Prince of Nassau, who led the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule. Red symbolizes bravery, white represents purity, and blue stands for loyalty and justice. BELIEF AND TRADITION: Dutch culture is influenced by Protestant Christianity, with traditions like Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day) and King's Day.
CUISINE: I don’t actually think that I ever considered the Dutch needed to eat food. That sounds absurd, but I have never once heard a person traveling to the Netherlands for its excellent cuisine. So I had no idea what to expect from the country’s national dish, stamppot . NATIONAL FLOWER: Netherlands. While most people believe it to be the tulip, the actual national flower of the Netherlands is the daisy ( Bellis perennis ). It was elected in a public vote in 2023. The national animal of the Netherlands is the lion. As a symbol of strength and power, the lion has been on the Netherlands' coat of arms since the 16th and 17th centuries, when the country became independent.
CURRENCY: The currency in the Netherlands is the euro. Each euro is divided into 100 cents. When you’re buying currency for the Netherlands, look out for the currency code EUR. And once you’re in the Netherlands, you’ll see the symbol € used to show prices. REGION: CLOTHING: Traditional Dutch clothing includes garments like clogs, dirndl skirts, and embroidered blouses, although these are not commonly worn in everyday life. RELIGION: More than half (55 percent) of Dutch people aged 15 years and over are not religious. In 2020, 20 percent of the Dutch population belonged to the Catholic Church, 14 percent were Protestant, 5 percent Muslim and 5 percent belonged to another religious group.
FESTIVAL: Koningsdag (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkoːnɪŋzdɑx]) or King’s Day is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Celebrated on 27 April (26 April if the 27 th is a Sunday), the date marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander. AIRPORT: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS, ICAO: EHAM), known informally as Schiphol Airport (Dutch: Luchthaven Schiphol, pronounced [ˌlʏxtɦaːvə(n) ˈsxɪpˈɦɔl(ɦ)ɔl; sxɪpˈɦɔl]), is the main international airport of the Netherlands. MAIN PORT: The Port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport in Europe, and the world's largest seaport outside of East Asia, located in and near the city of Rotterdam, in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. From 1962 until 2004, it was the world's busiest port by annual cargo tonnage.
CLIMATE: The Netherlands have a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters. Daytime temperatures varies from 2°C-6°C in the winter and 17°C-20°C in the summer. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: Filipino residents will need to obtain a work permit in the Netherlands and this will also allow them to apply for a residence permit. In most cases, immigrants from the Philippines will be given a temporary residence permit which will be applied for by the employer.
Country: Switzerland capital: bern language: German, French, Italian and Romansh location: Switzerland lies in the heart of Europe . It shares its 1,935km-long border with five countries: Italy, France, Germany, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Switzerland can be divided into three distinct geographical regions. FLAG: Since the 14th century, a white cross on a red background has been the insignia of Swiss soldiers. BELIEF AND TRADITION : Switzerland has a diverse cultural heritage with influences from various regions and traditions, including Alpine customs and Catholic and Protestant religious traditions.
CUISINE: Swiss cuisine is diverse, with dishes like fondue, raclette, rosti, and Swiss chocolate being popular. NATIONAL FLOWER: Edelweiss - Swiss National Flower. Switzerland currently does not have a national animal , but the animal most commonly associated with Switzerland, or Alpine culture in general, is the cow. However, various other animals have been used to represent the Swiss nation, such as the marmot, ibex, St. Bernhard, and blackbird.
CURRENCY: CHF is the abbreviation for the Swiss franc, which is the official currency of Switzerland. CHF is the only franc that is still issued in Europe after the other nations, that used to denominate their currencies in francs, adopted the euro. RELIGION: Switzerland is a Christian country. Two-thirds of its population are either Catholic or Protestant (Reformed Evangelical). Freedom of religion in Switzerland also allows other religious communities to practice such faiths as Judaism, Islam and Buddhism. Most people living in Switzerland are Christians.Jul 16, 2020 CLOTHING: Gallen and skirts with gold and silver decorations in Unterwalden are examples of traditional women's apparel. The men wear a short leather outfit known as lederhosen in the Swiss Alpine region. Slip-on leather shoes are popular among both men and women.
FESTIVAL: The Swiss National Day is celebrated every year on the first of August to commemorate the summer of 1291, when the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden concluded a historic alliance that is considered the foundation of the Swiss Confederation. AIRPORT: The main international airport in Switzerland is Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zürich). It serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights. MAIN PORT: Port of Switzerland/ Port of BaselThe Basel Port is Switzerland's most important river port. It is divided into three zones or sub-ports namely- the port of Kleinhüningen, Port Birsfelden and Port Muttenz-Au. All these three ports are linked to the major European roadways and railways as well.
Climate: Switzerland is situated in a temperate climatic zone . There are no extremely cold winters or extremely hot summers. Thus, the Swiss temperature is moderate and generally agreeable. However, the weather and climate change in Switzerland can be very different depending mainly on the altitude. FILIPINO RESIDENTS: A Swiss resident is a person holding a Swiss residence permit at the time of application and having paid taxes in Switzerland during that period. Foreign students will be asked to submit a copy of their residence permit; foreign and Swiss students may be asked to submit a copy of their tax declaration.