What inspired you to travel abroad?
As someone who grew up in a very urban environment, when looking at where to study abroad during my junior year of college, I wanted to go somewhere that challenged my lifestyle, which revolved around driving, English, and the bustling nature of Los Angeles.
An opportunity to spend six months in a small Dutch city that resided between country border lines intrigued me, especially coming from a place where, if you drive four hours in any direction, you're still in the same state.
Taking a leap of faith, I packed my bags and decided to take advantage of a chance to not only live in Maastricht, but to study, to grow, and to travel there.
Why did you choose CES Maastricht?
The CES program's commitment to ensuring the best possible study abroad experience was definitely felt from a student perspective. From the airport pickup to the carefully thought-out field trips that balanced both education and freedom to explore different cities around Europe, it was the perfect program for someone who may be intimidated by the idea of leaving home for so long.
The class structure was different from the U.S., but the resources advertised to us proved to be helpful. Experiencing a Dutch education by having some classes with fellow study abroad students, and also classes where you may be the only American in the room, led to an experience that can be endlessly reflected upon.
What was your favorite part about Maastricht?
Maastricht is not the most tourist-filled city in the Netherlands. As a result, it was so easy to fall into a routine of feeling like a local, something that is surely unique when studying abroad in a popular continent like Europe.
I knew the lay of the city like the back of my hand, and was able to find my favorite spots, while also never satiating my curiosity. Since it is a university city, the number of student-friendly events made it so easy to connect with locals and other international students alike.
Its laid-back and cozy atmosphere filled my days with rainy café study days and bright spring afternoons where I learned the Dutch truly do appreciate a sunny day at Stadspark.
Maastricht, The Netherlands
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience extraordinary was deciding to study somewhere that I actually didn't know a lot about! I learned about Maastricht and the Netherlands during my time there, rather than before.
I got to experience Dutch culture in real time, but in such a local way that I truly don't think I could have grown in the same way in another city.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
I was never anxious about what I had to do, and if conflicts did arise, I felt comfortable going to the CES staff for support.
It was very easy to communicate with our program coordinators. They were in constant contact with us months before, making sure our class registration, flights, and other documents were all good.
Once we arrived, we were cared for immediately, with airport pickups, tours, welcome events, trips, and social events.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I weren't so worried about certain parts of being in a new culture. I wish I had embraced things like biking, speaking more Dutch (even if it was minimal), and engaging more with random local public events.
Biking is a bit intimidating in the Netherlands since it's such an integral part of daily life, but I wish I had gotten over that fear.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
On days I had class, I would often wake up and just go straight over to that. The campus is not centralized in one place, so depending on the day, I would be in different parts of the city.
After class, it was part of the social culture to grab a coffee or snack with classmates. I would go to a café, either by myself or with friends, and spend some time getting class readings done. Afterward, I would wander the endless streets of Maastricht, stopping by the local farmers' market or grabbing a treat from one of my favorite dessert stands.
If I happened to be near the Bonnefanten museum, I would wander around there or explore Helpoort, a medieval part of town. I had signed up with UM Sports for a karate class, which was full of German international students, so we actually would have class in German sometimes!
If it were a Monday night, I'd join my friends at Café Forum for jazz night, full of local beer and bitterballen. Weekends were reserved for walking the river Maas with friends, shopping, or train-hopping around the continent for quick weekend getaways.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed shopping and truly wandering around. Maastricht is a quirky city with interesting shops that line its narrow streets.
I also enjoyed simply taking in the different architecture. Maastricht is different from other Dutch cities, so each building and detail has a unique history specific to that region.
The outskirts were full of nature hikes that also had historical elements. I enjoyed going to the local caves and taking tours of the art-lined, historic mine caves. Hiking opportunities were plentiful—my friends and I accidentally walked into Belgium one time!
Every night, after a full day of wandering, we'd stop by Friedt, one of the many fries shops around the city.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
CES partners with the UM Guesthouse, an international student housing building. The rooms were quite big, even when sharing with a roommate.
The best part was that everyone who studied abroad with CES lived there. Other international students lived there too, so it was extremely easy to be social and meet others in the program, resulting in a very tight-knit cohort.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
If you're coming from the U.S., the Dutch university city is definitely a culture shock. Maastricht University uses the PBL (problem-based learning) format, and this took a moment to adjust to.
Discussion-based classes are the core of all lecture structures. As a result, attendance is critical, so staying on top of your work and time management is a skill that is most definitely valued.
Would you recommend CES Maastricht to others? Why?
Yes! I would recommend Maastricht for anyone craving a change of pace, seeking peace, and a culture that embraces leisure and health. The Dutch culture around biking and work life balance is refreshing to experience. If you have an interest in seeking an authentic and local experience for study abroad, Maastricht is a wonderful choice.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Studying abroad is vastly different from working abroad, traveling for leisure, or even visiting for an extended period of time.
Since you're a student, you get the unique opportunity to experience a critical part of your life as a young adult in a different country and culture. Even though it is cliché, studying abroad is truly unlike anything else.
The independence, confidence, and knowledge you gain about other cultures is priceless—and truly, uniquely yours.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My lust for life and desire to travel are insatiable. I enjoy local day trips in the place I grew up in.
I am confident in traveling alone or with friends, navigating new transportation systems, and am now bold enough to try new things. I carry myself with a noticeable confidence I didn't have before.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Travel that is meaningful has to challenge my comfort zone. Trying new foods, asking for help from locals, and sitting in awe and admiration of how these cities have existed for centuries, and the only difference between me and the people who came before is the time I exist in.
Respecting every place you visit means taking a step back and letting the city pull you into the rhythm of its pace.
