Summer Program in European Studies

I went to Maastricht to study in the summer of 2024. At first, I almost knew nothing about this city and I chose Maastricht as my destination simply because my major is Dutch Studies. But after arriving and studying for a while, I realized that I had made a best choice in my life. The teacher there were very nice and I made a lot of international friends. We hung out together and talked about our countries. If I had the chance, I would choose to go to Maastricht again and again.

Maastricht is a beautiful, historical, and very safe city which I very much enjoyed living in. The CES program administrators organized some great introductory activities on our first few days there, such as a guided city walking tour, a limestone cave tour, a boat ride, and a few other activities outside of the city. The Maastricht University classes I took were super interesting and the instructors were both great, but they were very work-intensive with long sessions (3-4 hours) so expect to spend your weekdays very busy. However, most students get Fridays off, so you will probably have a long weekend to make travel plans easier! Maastricht is in a very convenient location for travelling around Europe, so I suggest you spend most of your weekends taking advantage of this. My room at the UM Guesthouse was very nice, I had a private “kitchen” (sink, hotplate, and fridge) because I chose a room in the P building. I would highly recommend this, because I heard from people in the C building that their shared kitchens got pretty gross- though obviously that depends on who’s staying there. Overall, I had a great time in Maastricht, and I would definitely recommend the program!

Attending Maastricht University felt like a dream come true! Not only was the city of Maastricht such a safe, beautiful, and fun community, the classes I took truly expanded on the field of Psychology in ways I had not experienced before. The people I met—from staff, fellow students, and community members—were all so welcoming and engaging. This place truly became my home away from home, and opened doors to so many new opportunities. From walks along the river, day trips to the nearby zoo, and nights at the summer concerts, the memories and friends I made here are unforgettable!

Spending this summer at Maastricht was a truly unforgettable experience. Being in a small but bustling town in the middle of Europe is breath of fresh air. I loved getting to learn about Dutch culture and the rich history of Maastricht. However, my favorite part was the opportunity in meeting others from around the world. Learning from them and learning from knowledgable professors made this program worth it.

My experience abroad was life-changing. My classes at Maastricht University were engaging and captivating, I've made lifelong friends, and the small-city environment is very welcoming to outsiders. Not only do you get the cultural immersion without too much tourism, but you are welcomed with open arms into the community.

In Maastricht, I met some of my closest friends and made some of my favorite memories without sacrificing my studies.I was able to travel to 8 different countries without falling behind on my schoolwork. I was so excited to find a program that had the classes I wanted to take in the summer, but I didn't think I was going to be able to travel and have as much fun as I did. Some of my favorite memories from Maastricht involve sitting in the park with my friends doing homework und chatting and laughing. I would totally recommend a summer in Maastricht b anyone who wants to both expand their studies and experience Europe in its entirety.

1. In this program, I not only took part in interesting but thought-provoking lessons, but also visited many places of interest as well as other cities and even countries. Besides my Dutch skill is promoted, which is very important for me since my major is Dutch language and culture. 2. The staff here are all very kind and friendly, especially the coordinator. I sent them emails when I encountered problems, and they always responded to me very quickly and offered me kind and helpful advice. 3. This is the first time for me to fully understand how to live by myself. Apart from that, I’ve made a lot of foreign friends in the university as well as in shops and bars. I will definitely encourage more students to go to Maastricht, and I am really happy with this experience!

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It is a life-changing experience both physically and mentally. CES staff are really extraordinarily perfect. You can feel their concerns and care before, during and after the program. A thousand Thank you;) At first I was a bit hesitant to start a conversation with people I didn’t know about, but after taking the first step I just realized how kind they are. Adapting is also a journey of self discovery. From Maastricht, reach out the world!!!

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Hello I’m Iellene from UC Merced and I decided to do CES this summer 2023. The courses I am taking is law and politics then European public health. The most interaction I’ve had is with Susan who was the most helpful person throughout my process. She allowed me to change my course and helped me with my early arrival to buy a train ticket. Before arriving to abroad I thought it would be hard and scary to be away from home but by the end of the trip you meet new friends who become like your family and Maastricht your home away from home. Very grateful to have gotten this opportunity.

Maastricht summer program has been an incredible discovery into new and different cultures. It’s an absolute unforgettable experience that I will hold fond memories of for the rest of my life. The CES staff have absolutely changed my perception of what learning can be like. I’m so grateful to have met such kind, understanding individuals. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have studied abroad this summer it was the best decision I have ever made. It has opened up a whole world of possibilities for me I can’t wait to get back here.

Studying abroad at CES Maastricht was one of the best choices of my undergraduate career. From the CES staff to the friends I made from around the world, one of the most memorable parts about my summer in Maastricht was by far the relationships I formed. I not only became closer to my classmates from my home university, but also made many friends from Shanghai, China who I still enjoy hearing from even now! My two courses - Transatlantic Investments and the Western Europe Study Tour were some of the most engaging and relevant classes I have taken. My favorite by far had to be the Western European Study Tour. During our time on the tour, we had the chance to visit five countries, touring landmarks and businesses along the way to learn more about Europe's economic ecosystem and the role of government/regulation in their notable success. With Brexit talks happening during our time abroad this course made the implications of any impending decisions incredibly tangible, thus allowing our class to further understand what was typically a rather confusing political conversation. During my time in Maastricht, I also learned a great deal about being independent, specifically as it relates to becoming a better traveler. Maastricht's location is ideal for any student looking to see as much of Europe as possible during their time abroad. Being so close to both Belgium and Germany provides students the unparalleled opportunity to interact with many cultures and histories, thus creating the opportunity for unforgettable experiences on any given day. I loved my time at CES Maastricht and wish I could return!

If you want to study abroad in a beautiful place with the most amazing people, Maastricht should be your university of choice. The CES staff are so supportive and always willing to help. The Guesthouse is clean, safe, and provides a great source of community. The city is beautiful and so fun to explore. During my time at Maastricht, I took a class about transatlantic trade and learned so much about foreign direct investment and the intersections of the EU and business. I can’t recommend this program enough!

I have learned how to problem solve better and think more critically about the world around me. I have explored more career paths and possibilities through my classes. The CES staff offers a lot of advice and sources for navigating life in Maastricht. They made me feel welcome and helped me adjust to a new culture and country. I have gotten the chance to travel and study in places I would’ve never imagined. I was exposed to many cultures and experiences that I wouldn’t have been exposed to back home.

Studying with other students from different regions of the world, I have the opportunity to learn about different cultures, histories, and institutions and often from different perspectives simultaneously. Not too stressful, the CES program offers a good balance between freedom, fun, and knowledge. CES staff introduce you well into the city, institution, and program in your first few days or first week, then really just let you take off and do your own thing. Of course, they are almost always available if needed. Studying abroad really pushed me to be more independent and take things into my own hands. I learned how to enjoy myself but also how to take life "by the horns".

I had an amazing experience studying at Maastricht University for its CES Program. The CES program offered me opportunities interacting with students and professors from their diverse backgrounds. Global perspective taking is also the program dedicated. The CES staff are kind and always available to students whenever they need help. At the same time, the staff are the great resource to reach. Studying abroad in MU allows me to be more open-minded. I was able to travel to Belgium, Germany and other parts of the Netherlands with school's field trips as well as the weekend trips. At the same time, I had made friends from diverse backgrounds which I am really appreciated. I would definitely recommend this program to people who are interested in studying abroad in Europe!

The CES programme I attended was both intellectually stimulating and mind-opening. It allowed me to deepen my knowledge on a subject I really wanted to dig into, as well as meet students from many different backgrounds and horizons. The CES staff I encountered were open, warm-hearted people that always smiled and patiently answered my questions, however dumb they were. I really wish I didn’t have to come back three times to their office to bother them about petty issues like credits transfer. Studying is Maastricht was a nice way of continuing my studying abroad experience, albeit in a country where I didn't understand the language. It allowed me to discover a new place with people from abroad also willing to discover it and share this experience all together.

Coming to Maastricht, I had no idea what to expect. I travel a lot with my family but I had never been to the Netherlands. Maastricht is a beautiful city that, in my opinion, appeals to everyone. It has a nice city vibe but is also not as intense as larger cities. When we first got here, the CES staff was so helpful, we had tours of the city and of places we may need to go to get things that we needed. They even help you with navigating the transportation system in case you wanted to explore other European cities. I took a leadership and management class, and our academic programme was very enlightening and engaging. We discuss with our professor and our peers about various management and leadership topics in class that genuinely changed my view of leadership for the better. My experience was truly an amazing one!

This academic program was a life changing experience because it has opened new friends who challenged he way i thought about many political topics. it was also wonderful because it allowed me to have time and support to find the pathway i wanted to take inline, and now i am applying to law school in fall. CES staff was incredible because they were always willing to help, whether that be answering many of my Facebook messages to help me get around! I would not rate this experience for the world; it has not only changed my outlook on issues I care most about but it has allowed me to come into contact with people, who are now lifelong friends, that challenge me to think greater and be better. Traveling on the weekends opened up my world as well because immersing myself into the cultures of other countries has allowed me to look back at my country and want to make it a greater place.

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I had an amazing summer in Maastricht!! Not only did I fulfill my travel dreams, but I learned so much and made great friends. My academic programme gave me the unique opportunity to learn about the EU and its people, while sitting in class alongside EU citizens as fellow students. I felt truly immersed in the material and learned so much more than I could have in an American University about the topics I studied. The CES staff has been so kind, friendly, and welcoming. Any question of help I needed was easy to obtain! I have truly felt valued as a student here during my time in Maastricht. Studying in Maastricht has made me feel totally immersed in my experience abroad, especially while studying the European Union amongst EU citizens. It has been an amazing experience to not only travel throughout Europe this summer, but be able to return to Maastricht as a home base. Great place not only to travel from, but to live.

You gain an international understanding of things that would only be touched on at home, even in such a short time. My professors were knowledgeable on the subjects and thoroughly enjoyed teaching-which has made learning so much fun. Getting in contact with the CES staff was always easy and helpful when questions arose and my home university was unable to answer. They genuinely care about your well being while you're here, and it's a good feeling having people watch out for you while you're thousands miles from home. The best thing about my study abroad experience was developing friendships that helped me become a better me in such a short amount of time. I'll forever be grateful for the people I met and the experience I was able to have in Maastricht.

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