Details

• Netherlands
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Start early with your accommodation research. Talk to people who have already lived and studied there, and connect with them on LinkedIn to better understand whether the city and the university are truly a good fit for you.

2. Accommodation

Finding an apartment in Maastricht can be really frustrating, so start early. Use every channel you can: post an Instagram story, ask around, join Facebook groups, and keep in mind that sharing a flat with friends can also be a good option. When it comes to location, areas like Wyck and the city centre are popular. That said, Maastricht is very bike-friendly, so even if you live a bit outside the centre, everything is usually within a 10–15 minute bike ride. Still, most of the social life tends to take place in and around the inner city. Housing costs in Maastricht are unfortunately quite high, and students are often overcharged, so it’s important to be careful and avoid scams. Student housing in particular tends to be overpriced and should usually be considered a last option. Personally, I paid around €800 per month including utilities, but the apartment was very central. In general, it is possible to find rooms or apartments for less – prices around €500 do exist – but realistically, most students should expect a budget somewhere between €500 and €900 per month. Maastricht generally feels very safe at all times of the day and night. The university buildings are located right in the heart of the city, surrounded by a beautiful and historic setting that creates a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

3. Academic life at host university

The university itself is very beautiful, and the teaching style is quite unique. Courses are taught using the problem-based learning (PBL) approach and are entirely in English. A strong emphasis is placed on reading academic papers and coming to class well prepared in order to actively participate in discussions. That said, for many topics you can already contribute based on general knowledge, and it is usually easy to find something to say. Assessment often includes facilitation sessions, which are similar to presentations but are meant to be as interactive and participatory as possible. Overall, the classes feel quite playful and interactive at times – in some ways, it even reminded me of my school days. In terms of academic difficulty, the level is generally lower than at WU for most courses. However, active participation is essential, and getting used to the PBL system takes some time. Depending on the course, you may still be required to write essays or take exams. One downside I occasionally noticed is that tutorials are not always led by professors but sometimes by master’s students. As a result, the academic input can vary, and students often take on a more passive role in guiding discussions. The system clearly benefits extroverted people who feel comfortable speaking up. On the positive side, the interactive format makes it very easy to get to know a lot of people through class. I took courses in Technology Entrepreneurship (which I was able to credit for the E&I zone), Diversity & Entrepreneurship (free elective), Global Supply Chain (PBL), and Crisis Management (Change Management, course 4).

5. Every day life in the host country

It’s very easy to meet people in Maastricht. The city is so small that you constantly run into the same faces, which makes it easy to build connections. There are plenty of parties, everything is walkable, and student life is very concentrated in the city centre. Sometimes it can feel a bit unfortunate that different nationalities do not always mix naturally. However, if you make an effort, it definitely works. The only real downside is that Maastricht truly is a very small city, and at times life there can start to feel a bit repetitive.

6. Testimonial

Maastricht is a truly unique city where people from many different nationalities come together. Thanks to its vibrant atmosphere – people sitting outside in cafés even in winter, countless cyclists, and an incredible number of young people – the city feels very lively and social. With its historic university buildings, old cellars, narrow streets, and small alleys, it sometimes feels a bit like a student version of Cambridge. There is a strong party culture, and almost every day there is an opportunity to go out for drinks – especially the Dutch tend to drink quite a lot. Beyond partying and studying, however, you do need to put some effort into planning activities, as the city itself is quite small and does not offer endless options. Personally, I joined a squash club, did Pilates, and took several short trips to cities like Antwerp and other nearby destinations. Maastricht is very well connected: airports can be reached easily by bus in about an hour, often for around €10, and flying with Ryanair makes spontaneous trips very affordable. For example, I once flew to Portugal for around €20. Overall, Maastricht is a charming, small city. Building close connections with Dutch students can sometimes be more difficult, as many are part of associations mainly for Dutch students. With other international students, however, it is very easy to connect, and socialising comes naturally. If you enjoy partying, Maastricht is definitely the right place. For other types of activities, it can occasionally feel a bit boring – but you will definitely find friends there.