Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A perfectly packed little exchange Past Review

By (University of Wollongong) - abroad from 01/05/2017 to 01/27/2017 with

Maastricht University: Center for European Studies, January Programmes

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I made a huge amount of friends from all over and gained a lot of knowledge relevant to my degree which I still draw upon today

Review Photos

Maastricht University: Center for European Studies, January Programs Photo Maastricht University: Center for European Studies, January Programs Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program was well-paced and beneficial for the short amount of time spent in class

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

CES were extremely helpful and welcoming to any and all student enquiries

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The Guesthouse itself is homely and not too inconveniently located. It does take a bit to grow on you, but once you make friends, the Guesthouse becomes heaven

* Food:

Meals aren't usually provided during the exchange, however the meals that are provided are exceptional

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There are numerous walking and city tours of Maastricht included and so many close-by destinations to visit

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

A doctors appointment could be made and a flat fee of €30 was charged for a consultation. A chemist was also conveniently located close-by

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Maastricht walking around by myself in all hours of the night

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved this program so much, I even returned the next year to intern

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Europe is more expensive than Australia in a lot of ways, however if you carefully budget and plan your meals, you can easily get by

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? A significant amount
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure to not go too crazy on your shopping trips, remember to plan out dinners beforehand

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The People
  • The Trips
  • The Weather
* What could be improved?
  • The Guesthouse
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Save a lot more money beforehand!!!!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International Relations & Politics in the EU
Course Department: Center for European Studies
Instructor: Matt Heckmann
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course itself was thorough and engaging, the study tours aligned perfectly with a balance of educational and recreational. I felt more engaged and willing to participate in-class here than back home at university and my knowledge taken away from the program reflects this. We were assessed by two in-class tests and a final paper on a topic of our own choosing which was well received by the whole class
Credit Transfer Issues: Definitely check with your home university whether or not you can receive credit for this program and get on it sooner rather than later