What an exchange semester at Maastricht University looks like

My experiences at Maastricht University in the Netherlands in Fall 2016 as an American exchange student. Timestamps below!
I was originally asked to create this video for NYU to promote their IBEX exchange program so some of the content might be specific to current Stern students, but I thought that a lot of the content could also be useful to anyone else who is considering coming to Maastricht for their Erasmus/exchange semester too!
Timestamps
Why Maastricht: 0:24
Maastricht in 3 Words: 1:22
Social Life: 2:24
Favorite Cultural Activities: 3:41
Academics: 4:09
Careers / Recruiting in the US from Abroad: 6:56
Housing: 8:39
Travel: 10:43
Post-Grad Reflections: 11:27

[@taraodonnell6054]

You have NO IDEA how helpful this is. I can't wait for my semester in Maastricht this fall, thank you for sharing! :)

[@carolined6603]

So glad you found it useful and have the best time in the fall!

[@Anthony-yx3sl]

now that your semester is over, would you recommend 😆😆

[@taraodonnell6054]

@@Anthony-yx3sl ABSOLUTELY!! I had a fantastic experience in Maastricht. It was not at all what I expected, but I am so grateful for my time there. I made incredible friends from all over Europe and I hope to be back in the Netherlands again someday soon. :•)

[@100seungho]

Your review helped me a lot! I'm going to Maastricht SBE in this fall semester as an undergraduate exchange student, and was doubting would this decision help my career, life, etc. and I think found my answer here. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@carolined6603]

I'm so glad this helped you out and have the best time in the fall! Hoping that more activities are open for you now that the world is getting vaccinated. :) If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

[@thythydo275]

Awesome video Caroline! Do you have any housing building recommendations? And is there a forum online to ask questions and talk to other students? Such as in the US a lot of schools use reddit.

[@carolined6603]

Thanks Thythy! I'd recommend any of the Guesthouse buildings since it's a more social community filled with international students who want to make friends and are in the same boat as you. It might be harder to make friends if you do non-dorm housing. I don't think there was a forum but you can look at this Maastricht exchange student blog site of stories all the way from 2011 to now: iroincomingsbe.wordpress.com/

[@nadyayasmindicky6127]

Hi Caroline, how many classes did you take within one period? Are the classes schedule more hectic in compare to US univ schedule? Thanks a bunch!

[@carolined6603]

Hi Nadya! I took two classes (Information Management and Strategic Marketing) in my first period, and 1 class (ICT, organisation, and income) in my second, as well as an extracurricular language class to meet more Maastricht students outside of SBE. They met two days a week in small PBL groups. I found it extremely manageable, but the classes themselves are longer than the 1hr15min classes I was used to at NYU. There were many exchange students who chose schedules to have long four-day weekends. Let me know if you have any other questions on this!

[@KunalDas_vnawhisperer]

Is there block system of classes? Like take all courses and be done on Mondays and tuesdays and have the rest of the week of? Or are there classes throughout the week?

[@carolined6603]

Yes! When you select your courses, you can select courses that only meet on certain days. I know a lot of people blocked their classes out to be able to do extended traveling or have a longer weekend.

[@eloyantunaezama8615]

Did the language classes count as a normal course? Hoy do you apply to them?

[@carolined6603]

They don't count as a normal course since they're an extracurricular so they sent out an email, and I ended up paying a little bit extra (for the course and books) to take them and get to know people outside of SBE!

[@user-cc7qi9jr9v]

May I know that whether you cook by yourself more often or eat in the restaurant? Thanks!🤗

[@carolined6603]

I cooked more often because I lived in a dorm with a communal kitchen and there was an Aldi / Albert Heijn nearby, but there are so many hidden restaurants and cafes to explore so the people who wanted to eat out more did (and some people ordered a lot of Domino's).

[@denizcayl3757]

Hi Can we know dutch language for lessons or is it enough only know english?

[@carolined6603]

All the classes are taught in English so you don't need to know Dutch!

[@komorebi7995]

Was is hard to get into the Guesthouse? Are places rare there?

[@carolined6603]

Not at all! It was more difficult to find a room outside of the Guesthouse. Most of the people who are in the Guesthouse will be exchange students or masters students.

[@komorebi7995]

@@carolined6603 Okay! I'm asking because I might be an exchange student there soon and have heard that the housing market is really overcrowded there (you probably don't say it like that but I think you get what I mean 😁) so I am hoping to get a place in the Guesthouse

[@carolined6603]

@@komorebi7995 Yes you will have no problem getting housing there, and it was a very social environment so it's great for making friends!