Alumni Interview with Lana Quint

What inspired you to travel abroad?

Ever since I was little, I have had a passion for art. However, Nevada, unfortunately, lacks art museums and diverse art collections. So, I decided it would be wonderful to immerse myself in an experience that was rich in art and culture. I immediately knew that Europe would be perfect for me, because of the countless museums and churches. It was scary to think about leaving home for six months, but I knew that if I didn't go, I would always regret it. That decision was probably one of the best I have ever made!

Why did you choose your specific program/organization?

I chose Maastricht for an array of reasons. I had never been out of the country alone before, so I decided a smaller city would be best for me, personally. Maastricht is around 120,000 people, which is smaller than my home town and that made leaving less intimidating. Second, I really liked the idea of being in Northern/Central Europe, because of the easier travel and access to the places I knew I definitely wanted to visit during the semester. And lastly, I preferred an English-speaking country, which put the Netherlands at the top of my list!

What was your favorite part about Maastricht, Netherlands?

My host city, Maastricht, was absolutely stunning! It was filled with beautiful architecture, enormous churches, and lovely cobblestone streets. It felt as if I was walking around in a photograph every time I was in the city. The people were also friendly and always kind. And last, but not least, the food was fantastic. In all the months I was there, I never had a bad meal! Between the picturesque city, incredible people, and of course, the food, I never wanted to leave!

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

I never thought I would be able to see as much art as I did while I was in Europe, and that's what made my experience so wonderful. And luckily, I found a group of people that didn't mind tagging along to the dozens of museums I wanted to go to! With that being said, I made a point of visiting at least one or two museums in each city that I went to. Now, whenever I am in class looking at a painting on a PowerPoint slide, I can proudly say, "I've seen that in person!" From "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" to the Parthenon, I saw enough art for a lifetime. And, I am beyond thankful.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The CES coordinators and staff were amazing from the time when I initially applied to Maastricht University, to the moment I left in June. They were always responsive, helpful in every way, and willing to assist with any problem that I face during the semester! I was afraid that I was going to have to figure things out alone while I was abroad, but CES staff exceeded those expectations and were definitely there for the students every step of the way. And, this ultimately created a study abroad experience that was stress-free and smooth.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

One thing I would have done differently would be getting more involved in Maastricht. I would have liked to maybe volunteer and meet more locals. Also, another aspect of my time in the Netherlands that I would have liked to work out better was biking. I rented a bike from a local company, however, the bike was too large for me. Therefore, anytime I tried to use it, it was very challenging. I eventually opted to walk everywhere, which was wonderful. But, it would have been more experiential to be able to ride my bike around the city and explore more.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

Generally, I would get up and walk to my class right away. After class, I would wander around either looking at shops or finding a nice place to sit and study for a while. My favorite café was one with delicious vegan desserts and five cats wandering around, offering to be petted! When it started to warm up, I would meet my friends at our favorite ice cream shop in Vrijtof Square, and we would sit on a bench people watching, talking about our day, and planning future weekend trips.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I traveled as much as possible in my free time, visiting places from Germany to Greece! However, I also made a point of exploring Maastricht extensively. I wanted to be able to appreciate the city in a personal and genuine way, and in a way that would make it my second "home." So, I visited the local art museums and exhibitions, tried the best cafés, listened to live music with friends, and found the perfect study spots! By the end, I felt as if I knew the city just as well as my hometown.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I stayed in a student "guesthouse" in Maastricht, which was about a fifteen to twenty-minute walk from just about anything. It was set-up like a dorm, and had a shared kitchen, shower, and bathroom. My room was very spacious, and had three large windows looking out on Cherry Blossom trees, which were covered in flowers during the Springtime! Overall, I really liked being in the same place as other exchange students, because it gave me lots of opportunities to meet new people!

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

The one thing I would tell future students is to take classes incredibly seriously. I was not intending to slack off during my semester abroad, however, I was not fully prepared for the course load that I received for my different classes. Maastricht University challenged my study skills, my thought processes, and pushed me outside of my realm of knowledge. It was an experience full of growth, and I am extremely thankful for it because it has helped me with courses at my home university. But it was a challenging semester.

Would you recommend CES Maastricht to others? Why?

I would definitely recommend the study abroad program in Maastricht, and I make an effort to recommend it to anyone who inquires about the program! Looking back on my overall experience, I have no complaints whatsoever. I learned an immense amount of new information that is applicable for my future career, met incredible people, both from the United States and from around the world, and the CES staff for the program were amazing! And, last but certainly not least, the city was gorgeous in every way!

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?

I feel as if the biggest benefit of studying abroad is expanding your way of thinking and the way you see the world around you. After studying abroad, I am confident that my education is more well-rounded and diverse, compared to before I left and compared to if I hadn't left my home university. Another benefit that stands out for me, specifically, is the opportunity that I had to see art and architecture. This allowed me to apply my education and knowledge to my own life experiences, and that is something that is undeniably important.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

I hadn't realized how the culture in Maastricht had affected me until I got home, and settled into my previous routine. I picked up on little things such as mannerisms and habits and have continued doing them now that I am back in the United States. They are all good changes, which has ultimately shown me the positive impact that being abroad had on me! Additionally, studying abroad has made me incredibly thankful that I had the chance to travel because I know not everyone gets the chance to.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me is experiencing the culture, food, art, and customs of a country. With that being said, completely immersing yourself in the country's culture and leaving behind all preconceptions is really what makes traveling special. When visiting a new country or city, I always made a point of allowing myself time to explore it thoroughly, and as much as possible. This led me to discover some amazing museums, family owned restaurants, and created opportunities for me to talk and converse with locals.