Details

• Netherlands
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process at WU was well organized. What is though less known is that the THEMIS application deadline is one or two weeks earlier than the usual exchange semester application deadline, so make sure to be on time. I found the person at the International Office who is specifically responsible for THEMIS students highly helpful - so thank you Ms Dabringer - she was super helpful in cases where I was missing additional info or did not fully understand what was said on the website about the program. Concerning the subject choice, I would think ahead what you would like to do abroad and what you then should not complete at WU and in this way keep for the semester abroad. For Maastricht, it really makes sense to dive further into International Law, European Law and Human Rights Law since the professors have great connections to those spheres.

2. Accommodation

I started searching and also then booked my accomodation at the UM Guesthouse C Building at Brouwersweg 100 in the winter holidays 2024. So 9 months before my semester abroad started. The housing crisis is real, so really be on time. A lot of flats or student dorms have the condition to at least rent for 6 or more months, which the UM Guesthouse did not, so that is why I found it really convenient. Maastricht is a small city, so everything within 15 to 20 min reach by foot to the facutly is good. Safety is really high, all public spaces are video recorded. Make sure you have proper heating in the winter months - I was really glad to have had that included in my contract. I found the UM guesthouse via Maastricht Housing and I paid 650 euros for a relatively small room, I had to share my bathroom and the kitchen with others, but 1. since it was relatively cheap everything was covered by Erasmus 2. I did not have to care about washing facilities or a printer (needed for law students) or the heating and 3. there are a lot of exchange students in those dorms, so you will be around people who face the similar situation. Concerning expenses and what I got, this option was a good compromise. Of course, you can always pay more to have your own room, your own kitchen, but for me it was not needed for the four months. But be prepared, it is a student dorm, it is small, it is simple.

3. Academic life at host university

Maastricht is a campus on its own with all the different faculties. Academic culture is totally different to WU Vienna. People tend to just be at university for their classes, so be prepared to really reach out to people to find study peers. The teaching style follows the problem based learning, which means that you have a lecture which is always introducing you to the topic of the week and then a tutorial which is then the relevant part for the exam. The tutorial is a small group meeting with a tutor who guides you through a student lead discussion and this is where you will discuss the topic introduced. There was no attendance requirement but indirectly you were expected to be at the tutorials because by attending and actively participating you had the highest chances to pass then the written exams. A lot of exam questions were based on tutorial discussions. The tutorials also were the space where on could share their views on current discussed topics, so if the Tutor was guiding well, I really liked to participate because it helped a lot to form a critical thinking approach and then your own opinion on topics. Academically I have never learned more within such a short period of time! Just be aware that Maastricht University requires you to read a lot and prepare for the tutorials so you will spend a lot of time on reading, I would say a lot more than at WU - so make sure that your expectations for the exchange semester are in line with what the university requires from you! If you want to have an accademically enriching experience and the focus should be on knowledge expansion, maastricht will be the perfect place for you!

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport - the buses - are good and cheap, most people rent a bike but i did not because i was fine with the buses and walking - it is a small city so my longest daily walk was 15 min. Social activities are unfortunately a lot in the hands of associations who are bad at marketing, so reach out on your own and just give a lot of options a try. Can really recommend ELSA and Kaleido ;) Unfortunately, since it is a small city, you will not have the same options as you would have in vienna, so arrive with the correct mindset!

6. Testimonial

My THEMIS exchange at Maastricht University has been the perfect addition to my Master's degree. The Faculty of Law specialises in International and European Law, as well as Human Rights Law. Several professors have experience working in EU institutions or the ICJ and related agencies, which enriches their teaching. Completing courses in Maastricht gave me valuable insights into International Law, Advanced European Law, Human Rights Law, and Humanitarian Law. Additionally, you will certainly level up your intercultural skills alongside many passionate students from all over the world. If you are interested in these specialisations, Maastricht will be the perfect place for you to study! Just be prepared: it is quite a small city, so don't compare it to Vienna too soon ;)