The experience of a lifetime! July 07, 2026
By Eddie K (Xavier University) - abroad from 01/17/2025 to 08/14/2026 with
Maastricht University: Center for European Studies, Semester Programmes
I learned that I want to apply to my masters in Maastricht and surrounding areas! I learned about managing travel, public transport, cultural differences, the list goes on.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed the education at Maastricht University. I focused a lot on general elective classes in different faculties as well as the provided CES options, which I feel gave me a really good variety in seeing how different course work varies between the US and Netherlands. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had a really great experience with our administration! I feel that I would stop by the office once or twice per week and I felt like our coordinators were involved in all aspects of our abroad experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements are nice, a standard dorm. The only complaint I could make is that if it gets hot you need to buy your own fan, but other than that it was a very nice experience. |
| * Food: |
I didn't know this before coming, but there is a huge food scene in Maastricht and a lot of student-friendly prices for food (I could often eat out for 5-10 euros). Cooking was also really accessible in both private and communal kitchens. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I tried very hard to get immersed in the local culture, going out of my way to explore less busy parts of the city and speak with more locals. The regional identity within Limburg (and even in Maastricht itself) was fascinating to me. It is definitely something you have to put work in to seek out yourself, but I felt that locals were always willing to share if you asked. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only had one health incident, but the process of getting a GP and navigating the healthcare system was a bit of a challenge for me. Fortunately, once I found the right spot in the guesthouse to go to it was very easy to get with a GP. |
| * Safety: |
I've truly never felt safer in any city than I have in Maastricht. You can arrive at 3am and walk to the guesthouse without any problems. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved Maastricht so much. The city, the university, the people, all of it. I was able to travel to places I would have never seen myself going to, meet people from all around the world, and get very in touch with the local culture. Maastricht is a great home base for travel, a great place to meet international students, and a great university. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Compared to some of the people I spoke to, I came on a rather modest budget, and I still felt like I was able to get the most out of my time abroad. If you are okay with budget travel, finding restaurants with student discounts, and practicing basic budgeting skills, then I think the city is quite manageable. At the end of the day, you know your financial situation so it comes down to how you manage your money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | €35-75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the local markets on Wednesday and Friday; the produce there is so much cheaper and very high quality. Also meet with people and try to prepare affordable group meals- cooking for one person can be difficult. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I took the Dutch language course, so I was encouraged to use the language very often. I had a really great experience from the class and continued to learn the language after. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in Dutch |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | While Maastricht is a very international city, there are still Dutch (and Flemish) locals that you can ask to speak with. You can also practice a lot with simple interactions like grocery shopping and ordering at restaurants. It's another one of those things where you get out of it what you put into it. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that the study abroad program really emphasizes the "study"! Talking to my other friends that have been abroad Maastricht will make you work, but I think it is pretty manageable still. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
