Details

• Netherlands
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

I would strongly recommend starting your accommodation search as soon as you receive your acceptance. The housing market in Maastricht is very competitive, and waiting even a few weeks can make finding a good place much more difficult. For travelling, I found that flying to Cologne and then taking a FlixBus to Maastricht was the fastest and cheapest option.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was probably the most challenging part of the exchange. I recommend looking for private accommodation through Facebook groups and other private platforms as early as possible. If you cannot find anything else, Maastricht Housing is an option, but it is quite expensive and the student housing accommodation requires you to share the kitchen, bathrooms, and other facilities with a large number of students. Starting your search immediately after receiving your nomination will give you the best chance of finding a good place.

3. Academic life at host university

The academic experience at Maastricht University was excellent. The campus is modern, well-equipped, and everyone communicates in English, making it easy for international students to settle in. The biggest difference compared to WU is the Problem-Based Learning system. Classes are usually held in small groups of around 8–15 students, which means you actively participate in discussions during every session instead of only listening to lectures. This creates a much more interactive learning environment and makes it easier to get to know your classmates.

5. Every day life in the host country

Life in Maastricht is very relaxed. Since the city is quite small, almost everything can be reached by bike, so renting one is essential. I would recommend Swapfiets, as it is convenient and reliable. The university also offers many sports facilities and fitness options through UM SPORTS. Whether you spend your free time travelling, joining ESN events, or going out depends entirely on what you make of your exchange, as there are plenty of opportunities to stay busy.

6. Testimonial

Overall, I really enjoyed my exchange semester in Maastricht. The university is extremely international, making it easy to meet people from all over Europe and beyond. Academically, I found it more demanding than WU because the continuous preparation and active participation require a greater time commitment. Although Maastricht is much smaller than Vienna, it has a unique atmosphere and is the perfect place to spend a semester abroad.