Study European Studies Abroad

My summer study abroad experience in Maastricht, the Netherlands, was truly one of the most unforgettable chapters of my academic journey. Traveling abroad to study gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, experience a different education system, and connect with students from different cultures and backgrounds. What initially started as an academic opportunity quickly became so much more than that. Throughout the summer, I had the chance to explore Maastricht, discover its beautiful historic streets, experience Dutch culture, and travel to other European destinations. Every new place, friendship, and experience taught me something different. I especially enjoyed being surrounded by people with different perspectives, sharing experiences, and creating friendships that made the journey even more meaningful. Beyond the classroom, this experience helped me become more independent, adaptable, and confident. It allowed me to see the world from a different perspective and understand how valuable international experiences can be, not only for academic development but also for personal growth. Looking back two years later, I still carry the memories, lessons, and friendships from that summer with me. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity because it reminded me that some of the most meaningful learning experiences happen beyond the classroom. Studying abroad in Maastricht was not just a summer of studying; it was an experience that shaped the way I see the world and inspired me to continue pursuing opportunities beyond my comfort zone. Currently I’m studying my masters degree in Groningen and I decided to come back because all because of the unforgettable experience I had that summer.

I really like my time abroad. The school is very organised and teachers seems like they enjoy their work! The structure is a lot of participation without computers, which means that we learn more in general.

Studying abroad at UAB in Barcelona has truly been one of the highlights of my college experience! From the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the city, its culture, and the opportunity to experience a completely different way of life. The program offers a great balance between academics and exploring everything Barcelona has to offer. I especially loved taking courses that gave me a more international perspective while learning about Catalan culture and traditions. Being able to travel throughout Europe on weekends, meet people from different backgrounds, and immerse myself in a new environment has helped me grow so much personally and academically. Barcelona is the perfect city for studying abroad, with incredible food, beautiful architecture, amazing weather, and something new to discover every day. I am so grateful for this experience and would recommend UAB to anyone considering studying abroad. It has been a semester I will never forget!

Being in the heart of Berlin changed who I am. It made me more open to different experiences, and more willing to learn the darkest parts of history to look for hope in our current society. I learned why humans do the things we do and how we bounce back to reform society.

I went from Osnabrück, Germany, to Barcelona for my semester abroad, and now that I am halfway through my experience, I can already say that it has been one of the most exciting and unforgettable chapters of my life. At the beginning, planning everything felt quite overwhelming. Since I had never done anything like this before, it was difficult to know what to expect, how to organise everything and what I needed to prepare for. Of course, there was also some anxiety. Moving to a completely new city on your own, without knowing anyone, can feel intimidating at first. The first few days in Barcelona were truly overwhelming in the best possible way. It almost felt unreal that I was suddenly going to live in this amazing city for several months. Barcelona has such a special atmosphere. It is the perfect mix of beautiful beaches, relaxing spots, art, culture, and endless things to discover. I quickly realised how much there was to explore and that there was always something happening. Every weekend brings new activities, events and opportunities to experience the city. One of the things I love most is how easy it is to explore places outside Barcelona. There are so many beautiful destinations nearby that are perfect for day trips or weekend getaways. I have visited Blanes, with its beautiful beaches, as well as Sitges and Montserrat. One of my personal highlights so far was renting a car with a few girls I had met and driving to L’Estartit, which is well known for its diving spots. We booked a snorkelling trip there, and it was absolutely beautiful. Experiences like these make my time abroad even more special. Another thing I learned very quickly is that you are never really alone on an exchange semester. At first, you might feel like you are the only person arriving in a new city without knowing anyone. But the truth is that so many other students are in exactly the same situation. Everyone is looking to meet new people, make friends and discover their new surroundings. You just have to take the first step and be brave enough to approach others. I have already met so many amazing people this way, and some of my favourite memories have come from spontaneous plans and new friendships. Now that I am halfway through my semester abroad, I realise just how much I have already experienced and learned. At the same time, it feels crazy that there is still more to come! I am excited for the next half of my stay, for all the places I have yet to discover, the people I will meet and the memories I will make. My biggest takeaway so far is that going abroad can feel scary at first, but it is absolutely worth stepping outside your comfort zone. You learn so much about yourself, become more independent, meet people from all over the world and discover places you might never have visited otherwise. If you are thinking about going abroad, my advice is simple: take the opportunity, be open to new experiences and don't let the fear of going alone hold you back. You might arrive knowing nobody, but you will soon realise that you are surrounded by people in exactly the same situation. And trust me, the memories and experiences you gain along the way are worth it!

I have been enjoying my time here. I love the climate, it’s warm for a long time. I also like that my SSA group is on the smaller side since I have been able to become friends with everyone, and we can all do activities together. I also enjoy that many things can be in a walking distance, or I can take the tram. It’s fun being outside and seeing others be outside as well, lively environment! I have a good time with my host mother and am able to get more immersed into the culture!

Studying abroad at UAB in Barcelona redefined my college experience. Commuting to the campus, adapting to Catalan culture, and studying with international peers built true independence. UAB gave me lifelong friends and a home abroad

My time in Alicante has been amazing! Even though there have been some challenges, I am so happy I decided to study abroad. This will be an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I have met so many amazing people, traveled to beautiful places, and also grown as a person

My academic experience at UAB has been very enriching, especially because of the variety of teaching approaches and the opportunities to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world experiences. I particularly appreciate the field visits organized as part of the Business in Action and Creative Economy courses. These experiences allow us to explore how companies and creative industries operate in practice, making the subjects more engaging, tangible, and relevant. I would also like to highlight the teaching methodology in the E-Commerce course. The professor is extremely dedicated and genuinely involved in each group's project, showing great interest in our progress and providing valuable guidance throughout the process. She has also developed an incredible amount of learning material that is both comprehensive and well-structured, making the learning experience much more engaging and effective. Overall, I really value the practical approach, the professors' dedication, and the opportunities to learn beyond traditional classroom lectures. These aspects have made my academic experience at UAB particularly positive and meaningful.

I really enjoyed my experience studying abroad in Barcelona. Throughout my time here, I developed a much greater appreciation for the city, its people, and Catalan culture. Living in Barcelona allowed me to immerse myself in a different way of life, explore new places, and gain a better understanding of local traditions and customs. I especially enjoyed experiencing the city's unique atmosphere, food, and culture. Overall, studying abroad was an incredibly rewarding experience that helped me grow personally, become more independent, and make memories that I will carry with me long after leaving Barcelona.

world strides made it possible to cost effectively go abroad and still live with my friends from my home university. the staff are super supportive and helpful on site as well as preparing for the journey.

This semester has been far and away the greatest three months of my life and I am thrilled to still have six weeks left. The professors are where it all starts, accommodating every single student and their needs. They seek feedback and make a clear effort to teach in a style that appeals to all of their students. Furthermore, I love how all of the topics and case studies in class relate to what is actually going on in the world. This makes class engaging and something I look forward to rather than a bland, scripted lecture from a textbook. The most important reason I recommend UAB as the best choice for study abroad is how much mutual respect their is between teachers and students. Teachers consistently inquire about what weekend trips we went on, recommend activities and cuisine in Barcelona, and genuinely want the best for us while all students arrive on time, participate, and come to class ready to learn and grow.

Going abroad to study is one of the best choices I've ever made in my life! I knew when I went to college I wanted to go abroad and had ideas about how fun and amazing it would be but being abroad and experiencing it for real is one of the best things I've done in my life. While I've been abroad I've been able to complete some incredible personal life bucket list goals. Without this abroad experience I can genuinely tell you that If I didn't go abroad I would've never experienced these things. Just as an example for you, I got to see Cristiano Ronaldo play at home in Portugal in the Nations league. In the coming weeks he announced his retirement. Being here, I've met so many amazing people and done so many amazing things I can't even list them all. From doing personal travels to playing with my new college friends in the SAI soccer team, this has been such a great experience and I never want it to end! GO ABROAD! It will change your life and you wont regret it!

Studying in Maastricht with CES truly could not have been a more humbling experience. Through miraculous highs and lows, the CES staff were kind, friendly, accessible, and made life in Maastricht a dream. They helped me navigate difficult yet rewarding coursework, mental health, cultural immersion and adjustment to Dutch university life as an international student, and most importantly, helped me navigate a significant injury I endured at the end of my semester. The staff members who were there for me during that challenging time are still my close friends and confidants to this day. There has truly not been anything in my life that left an impression the way CES did, and continues to have on my life. I am still connected with staff and alumni. Not only did I make American friends within the CES program, the UM Guesthouse introduced me to a vibrant international friend group that I get to travel the world (and back to the Netherlands) to spend time with. Ultimately, the most meaningful and significant chapter of my life occurred while studying at CES Maastricht, and I am grateful every day.

The exchange program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona perfectly fits the image I have repeatedly outlined in my maps and ideals. Walking in the green campus, filled with Mediterranean sunshine, every day is a new expansion of academic and cognitive boundaries. Especially in the classroom of Cross Cultural Management, colliding ideas with numerous classmates from Denmark and Germany became the most vivid memory of this journey. The Danish students' persistence in equal communication and team consensus, and the German students' ultimate pursuit of task structure, Gantt chart process, and straightforward feedback, have made cross-cultural theories such as Erin Meyer no longer just concepts in books, but have become real-life and vivid collaborative experiences every day. These subtle touches in academic exploration and daily interactions not only bring different backgrounds closer, but also invisibly shape the way I view the world. This experience broke the boundaries of conventional daily life and allowed me to hear my inner voice clearly in the collision of diverse cultures; this is exactly the breadth and thickness that a dream life should have.

I have learned a lot about myself, gotten new friends and learned to live in a new country by my own. I think Barcelona has been a wonderfull city to choose. Friendly people, very cozy cafés and life like Streets everywhere any day of the week. I would recommend anyone going who might be in doubt - do it!

Coming home a new person! The program was awesome from start to finish, I never felt homesick, and the art course was a highlight. Only the Paris hotel let it down. I’d recommend it to anyone and already tell friends to apply.

I studied cross cultural leadership in Maastricht at Maastricht University, and absolutely fell in love with the city, the school, the culture and built the best relationships with the staff and my peers. I got the opportunity to live and immerse in Dutch culture, which provides new learning experiences that you can't get from a textbook! This program opened my heart to travel and instilled a confidence in me to apply the following summer as a CES intern. I would not have changed a single thing about my program, I loved it so much!

My one‑semester exchange study at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has been an invaluable life experience. Nestled in natural surroundings, UAB boasts remarkable ecological diversity. Wild birds and animals can often be spotted around campus, offering fresh air and a peaceful environment ideal for study. The SAF gym is accessible for international exchange students. I took boxing and barbell fitness classes there, which helped me keep fit and relieve academic pressure. The university shows great care for international students. Classes may be suspended in heavy rain, and timely safety alerts will be released in case of social unrest, making us feel secure far away from home. I also gained a lot from distinctive teaching approaches. Professors are dedicated and organize mid‑term exams to reinforce knowledge. Numerous presentation assignments greatly improved my public‑speaking skills. Group‑work projects encouraged cross‑cultural communication with peers from different backgrounds and broadened my horizons. During spare time, I travelled across Spain and other European cities including Milan, Paris, Florence and Rome to experience multiculturalism. This exchange helped me break stereotypes and rediscover myself. I am grateful for all resources UAB provided for international students, which have shaped me into a more open‑minded and confident individual.

My semester at UAB’s Study Abroad Programme in Barcelona was a great experience, both academically and personally. I took five courses at the Sant Pau campus, and the highlight for me was “Behaviour and Incentives in Economics: The Case of Soccer”. It combined economic theory with real-world cases from football in a way I haven’t seen anywhere else, and it fits perfectly with my interest in sports economics. The other courses, like International Business and Understanding the European Economy, also gave me a broader international perspective on topics I knew from my studies back home in Denmark. The Sant Pau campus is a beautiful place to study, and it’s easy to reach from the city. Living in Eixample near the Sagrada Família meant I had everything close by. The international environment made it easy to meet students from all over the world, and Barcelona itself, with its food, culture, football and the beach, made every week memorable. I would definitely recommend UAB to anyone considering a semester abroad. It’s a great mix of interesting courses and an unforgettable city.