Humanities & Social Sciences in Europe

My special and memorable experience abroad at Maastricht University has been greatly shaped by the support and care the Center of European Studies (CES) team has provided for us. The team went above and beyond in ensuring we were accompanied by help in every way possible, and in every step of the way. I felt comfortable in approaching all of the advisors as they made efforts to establish that friendly and warm relationship with us students since day 1. Our cohort all became very close and appreciated the every activity, event and trip that the CES team had so kindly organized for us. This has been an incredible experience, beyond anything we could’ve ever expected and imagined. The people we’ve met here in Maastricht will never be forgotten! Thank you to the CES team for being the wonderful people they are, and I couldn’t imagine going abroad through any other program :)

From a very young age I've always enjoyed new experiences, and as I grew up I knew I wanted to go far for school. However, due to familial situations I decided to stay close to my family for my undergraduate experience. As my family situation calmed down, CES Maastricht allowed me the opportunity of a lifetime to go and live not just in the Netherlands, but in the province my family originates from. With CES Maastricht, every step of the process was easy and help was readily available from the application stage to arrival and travel whilst on the program. The CES Program also offered a wide variety of classes to help students immerse into the culture of both the city and the Netherlands. One of my favorite parts of this program was the built-in travel that took students to Berlin Germany, Paris France, and a trip around several Dutch cities. I cannot recommend CES enough to friends curious about Europe, and I truly think that it is a perfect fit for anyone; whether you're focused on cultural immersion like I was with the Netherlands, or if you're curious about Europe in a broader sense. I was able to travel so much of Europe and even get to Africa on this program, and the experiences I had were downright life-changing.

The CES program is so incredible! The staff is so kind and supportive, and willing to help with whatever you need. The pre-arranged activites and trips were such great opportunties and my favorite part of the program. I was able to experience so many different cultures and learn from a new perspective. Maastricht is a wonderful city with a lovely community!

Digital Society is a programe that helps you expand your vision about today’s digital world. It provides a perspective on how digital technology has shaped and changed our lifestyle. The CES staff is amazing and so fun. They will help you with whatever you need while studying in Maastricht I have learned a lot from my experience, it has help me meet a lot of friends and has definitely been a challenge for me.

As an art history student with a particular interest in the Dutch Old Masters, having the ability to study Dutch Art in the Netherlands was a dream come true! CES Maastricht provided a course dedicated to Dutch Art History, specifically, which was my favorite class I took while abroad. Field trips and hands-on learning locally around Maastricht and to museums around the country brought the learning to life and created a greater sense of connection and appreciation to the culture and country I was studying in. Studying Dutch Art in its original context was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not only deepened my love for my area of study, but also made me feel much more at home and connected to the Maastricht community!

I had such a wonderful experience studying in Maastricht! The professors were so kind and helpful. And I loved getting to explore and learn about the Netherlands. Maastricht is also ideally located for easy travel to other cities around Europe. I was able to visit several other countries during my time there and made amazing memories from all my travels!

This was a once in a lifetime experience and I loved being able to come. I learned so much and got to travel all over Europe in the process. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to explore European culture and history. Maastricht is also the perfect location because it is quaint and friendly. It is also located near Germany and Belgium, which are just a 30 min train ride away.

Classes are discussion based, which really encourages healthy debates and exchanging different ideas. The workload is heavy at times but very manageable and, in my opinion, interesting. The CES staff is a great resource throughout the semester; they are all so helpful and supportive, and plan super fun events for the program. It is clear that they genuinely care that all of their students have an amazing experience in Maastricht. Study abroad has been challenging, but being away from home and getting to experience a new culture so intimately allows for personal growth that I don’t think I would have experienced otherwise. I have made such amazing friends here and, as cliche as it all sounds, really learned so much more about who I am and taking care of myself.

Studying with CES at Maastricht University was the most incredible four months of my life. The CES staff made the transition to living and studying in Maastricht nearly seamless through communication before my arrival as well as tours and information sessions while I was there. Their concern for my safety and 24/7 emergency availability made me feel at east both in Maastricht and traveling around Europe. As a participant of the European History, Culture and Arts program, I spent part of my semester studying Dutch literature and art. Inside the classroom, I participated in rich discussions with my fellow study abroad peers, while outside the classroom we went on study tours to new cities where we were able to visit the location of a novel we had read or see a painting we had studied. I was also able to take classes in my major at the Faculty of Arts & Social Science with peers from around the world, where I was challenged to think about contemporary social issues from a global perspective and reflect on my own American culture. Outside of academics, Maastricht was a great city to live in and truly feel a part of the community. From grocery shopping to eating frites, or going out on the weekends, I always had a fun time and felt immersed in the culture. Maastricht's central location also allowed for easy travel, which took me to places I had only ever dreamed of. Overall, my study abroad experience with CES at Maastricht University was absolutely ideal and I wish I could repeat it over and over again.