> Unfortunately, most people in Europe seem to be done with fountain pens after the first few years of elementary school.

I grew up in New Zealand.

Our writing stationery was pencils; the teachers didn't want young students using pens until the student could demonstrate competency in writing neatly. But after that, all the students used cheap ballpoint pens; maybe a gel or rollerball pen.

I never encountered fountain pens until the end of high school.