Details

• Netherlands
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 2 months

1. Preparation

Little to no need for preparation needed for the application process. In regards for the exchange the most important thing was for me to find interesting courses that are recognizable at WU ahead of them being published by the partner university.

2. Accommodation

**Accommodation search experience I started searching for housing in December 2024. First, I contacted several local rental agencies (e.g., Pararius), but I was rejected for every application over a period of two months. In March, I switched to the official platform recommended by Maastricht University, MaastrichtHousing.com. I chose a private student studio (approx. €1,200/month), as I did not want to share kitchen and bathroom with 15–20 people in the cheaper options. The photos showed a clean studio with a private kitchen, bathroom, and a washing machine. Upon arrival, the reality was very different: the studio was dirty (e.g., hair and shaving residue from the previous tenant), the washing machine was missing, constant machine noise of ~45 dB occurred throughout the night, and there were mice and occasional bats in the building. Maastricht Housing did not provide meaningful support despite repeated complaints and also Maastricht University did not really care. Only after WU intervened did I receive assistance. Overall, I cannot recommend booking through Maastricht Housing. **Accommodation type (student residence/private) Private student apartment rented through Maastricht Housing. Despite the premium price, the actual condition did not match the description. **Location, safety, and proximity to the university The studio was located in Heilige-Geeststraat in the city center. Maastricht is very compact, so location matters little. Many friends lived farther out and still reached the center in 15–20 minutes on foot. The city felt extremely safe at all times. I needed around 15–20 minutes to walk to campus. With a bicycle, almost all of Maastricht can be reached within about 10–15 minutes. Bike rentals like Swapfiets have limited availability, so booking early is recommended. Tips I wish I’d known beforehand - Avoid booking through Maastricht Housing; the value for money and support are poor. - The best private offers tend to appear at the start of the summer holidays when outgoing students list their apartments. - Location is largely irrelevant due to the small size of the city, having a bike matters more. - Secure a bicycle early (Swapfiets often runs out of available bikes).

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure at Maastricht University is excellent. All buildings are modern, clean, and well-equipped, and every classroom has smartboards that allow students to instantly share their screens. The overall environment feels highly organized and professional. The most distinct difference compared to WU Vienna is the "Problem-Based Learning (PBL)" teaching style. Courses are taught in small groups of about ten students, guided by a tutor. Instead of traditional lectures, students are expected to prepare intensively each week, present the material to the group, and lead discussions. In theory, this is meant to encourage active learning; however, in my experience, the weekly workload was extremely high. Each course required reading multiple academic papers (often ~100 pages per week across two courses), completing weekly assignments or case studies, and preparing presentations. This created continuous weekly pressure, comparable to having small exams every session, followed by final assessments at the end. Additionally, each course had two mandatory tutorial sessions per week. Students are allowed to miss only two sessions in total; missing a third session means failing the course, which makes attendance requirements very strict. As a result, flexibility during the semester is extremely limited. The academic culture also differs from WU’s. Tutors, not the actual grading professors, lead the tutorials, which sometimes makes academic depth or clarifications difficult, as tutors may not be experts in the topic themselves. Feedback quality varied significantly between courses: in one course, the professor provided constructive and helpful guidance; in another, the feedback during the course was very positive, but the final grade did not align with what had been communicated during the sessions. Grading felt more subjective. Maastricht uses a 0-10 grading scale, where anything above 8.5 is considered "sehr gut". Professors made it clear that achieving a 10 is impossible except in strictly objective examinations. The general academic attitude (as explained by staff) is that students aim to “pass efficiently” rather than strive for the highest possible grade so everything better then a "genügend" is considered to much effort. Overall, while the campus and facilities are outstanding, the teaching style and academic expectations are very different from WU Vienna. Students should be prepared for a significantly higher weekly workload, less flexibility, and a strong emphasis on continuous preparation throughout the entire semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Maastricht was overall very pleasant. Public transport is noticeably more expensive than in Austria, but it is rarely needed, as the city is small and easily accessible by bike. Trains to other Dutch cities are reasonably priced (e.g., around €30 to Amsterdam), which makes weekend trips simple. However, due to the strict attendance requirements at the university, longer trips during the week were nearly impossible, which significantly limited opportunities to explore the surrounding regions of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Maastricht feels extremely safe at all times, and I never experienced any situation that felt uncomfortable. For leisure activities, the nightlife is very different from Vienna: most clubs are located in small historic buildings, which can feel crowded, but the atmosphere is unique in its own way. I used the “SportCity Maastricht” gym, which offered good facilities at a fair price (around €30/month for a 3-month membership). Student events were also enjoyable. ESN organized various activities during the semester, especially during the Welcome Week, which made it easy to meet new people and quickly build a social circle. Overall, everyday life in Maastricht was enjoyable, comfortable, and easy to navigate.

6. Testimonial

Maastricht is a charming small city that offers a very safe and welcoming environment. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the city and think it has a lot to offer, especially for students who appreciate a calm and cozy setting. However, the academic workload at Maastricht University was significantly higher than expected, with strict weekly attendance requirements and continuous assignments. This made it very difficult to travel or explore the country during the semester, and longer trips were only possible on weekends. Finding housing can also be challenging and costly. Overall, Maastricht is a lovely city and worth experiencing, but students should be aware that the academic schedule leaves limited time for cultural activities or travel. For those who enjoy a structured study routine and short weekend trips, it can still be a rewarding exchange destination.