Details

• Netherlands
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

From Vienna to Maastricht by train is not easy. DB is known for it's delays and I travelled 16 hours because of that. The benefit is that you can carry more luggage without any extra cost, plus the green travel bonus of course. So your choice. All in all I'd say it was worth it, but also because I don't mind long train rides (I am from Vorarlberg). Make sure you find an apartment early enough. I reccomend facebook groups (maastricht housing). The student dorm from the university is not worth it, pretty expensive for what it looks like and offers, but still better than nothing of course. Don't worry too much about the location of your stay, with bike (and you will have to get a bike - SwapFiets offers rental bikes for about 20€ a month) you can get anywhere quite easily. Everything around 10 mins by bike from the center is very good.

2. Accommodation

Accomodation search wasn't easy, I reccomend Facebook groups (Maastricht housing),which is where I found my apartment. Private is much better than student residences, especially the one from UM is very expensive for what it has to offer. You don't have to be living super close to the university, because by bike you can get everywhere quite easily (anything 10 mins by bike from the center is very good). Search early enough, keep up with the new postings in the facebook groups and don't commit early to a student accomodation before checking out the private rental possibilities.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus facilities are good, modern and easily accesible. Everyone speeks english during courses, and there a general a lot of germans at SBE aswell. Teaching style is more personal, you have to contribute more verbally, which is good because you learn more through that. There's more conversation about topics in class, rather than presentations from a professor. PBL learning system might sound a little scary at first, but it is really cool and not difficult to adapt to at all. I recommend International business (very up to date topics, was my favorite course there).

5. Every day life in the host country

Life in Maastricht is very chill, not much different than austria. Public transport is limited, busses are a few and quite expensive - it's strongly advised to get a bike (either facebook marketplace or rent one from Swapfiets). There are some cool events, from music to food to vintage stores or general hangouts with other students, everything is included. The university has a great sports facility, where you can go to the gym and do all bunch of sports for a membership fee from around 20 - 40 € a month, depending on your preferences. Reccomended is making trips to cities like brussels and amsterdam or neighbouring countries, all reachable by bus or train - very cheap aswell.

6. Testimonial

I enjoyed my stay in Maastricht because I got to know a lot of people from all over the world, and I've made some good friends from South Africa, Belgium, Spain, Chile and more. The university is different than WU, a little more personal and engaging, which I enjoyed. Even tho the city itself isn't big, it is very beautiful in the center and offers some things to explore. Worth the exchange!