Details

• Netherlands
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

It is very important that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. The housing situation in Maastricht is quite complicated, so i would suggest to look on different platforms or to ask friends. I can recommend Facebook groups, because this is where I found my apartment (but be aware of scams!). Also check the course catalogue and if you have any question you can always contact Maastricht University via email, they usually answer in a few hours. To get to Maastricht I would suggest flying to either Brussels or Cologne and taking a Flixbus directly from the airport to Maastricht. However, if there are no buses available at a specific time, the best way is to fly to Brussels and take the train from there to go to Maastricht (there are usually 1-2 stops in between where you need to change trains).

2. Accommodation

The search for accommodation can take quite some time, which is why I would recommend to start as early as possible. I began looking for apartments about 4 months before I left. I’ve had a few rejections because many landlords won’t accept students. A friend of mine eventually found a flat for two people in a Facebook group, which we rented for 6 months. I can really recommend these groups, because there are always offers, especially for shorter stays (but be careful with scams). We were very lucky, because we shared a relatively big apartment that was located close to the train station (3-5 min walking distance) and to the city centre. Although the university is on the other side of the river, it’s still only about a 15-minute walk, and it’s even quicker by bike. We also lived near the main bridge, so it took less than 10 minutes to get to the main square. The area where I lived was very pleasant: there were some quiet spots, many cafés, bars, restaurants and shops. We also lived near a large supermarket, which was very convenient. As Maastricht is not that big, you can get anywhere quickly and you feel very safe even at night.

3. Academic life at host university

I enjoyed studying at SBE very much, because the course structure is completely different to what I've experienced before at WU. The courses are based on "Problem-Based-Learning (PBL)", which means that you usually work in smaller groups and solve cases together or participate in discussions with other students. It is a very interactive system and there are even some courses, where participation is graded as well. In my courses there were a lot of presentations, group discussions, debates or interactive workshops. In some sessions, there is no tutor present: in these cases, the students organise and lead the session either on their own or in groups. However, the exact structure of such classes can vary from course to course. I was very nervous before my first presentation, but I actually enjoyed it a lot, because you get to know the other students and everyone can share their thoughts. A course that I can recommend, because a lot of other exchange students took it as well, is called "Ethics, Organisations and Society". The course explores the connection between ethics and business and looks at interesting real-life cases. Also, the classrooms, library and the overall campus are very modern. Overall, I had a positive academic experience.

5. Every day life in the host country

When you live in Maastricht, you usually don't need public transportation, but you can rent a bike. However, I usually walked everywhere. It is a safe city with many things to do. There are many bars and cafés. In spring it is always nice to take a walk or sit in the park. I'd recommend joining WhatsApp groups (e.g. Erasmus), because they are often organising events, festivals or other activities. Also, you can get to many cities, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Antwerp, quickly by train, which is perfect for a weekend trip.

6. Testimonial

I loved my time in Maastricht, because it is the perfect city for an exchange semester. During these months, I had the chance to really get to know the town as well as other places nearby, such as Amsterdam or Brussels. What makes Maastricht so special is how "young" the city seems. You can find cafés, bars, restaurants everywhere, there is always something to do and you get to meet many students from all over the world.