Political Science & Politics Study Abroad Programs in Maastricht, Netherlands

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.

I did the CES program in Fall 2022. I was nervous because I was coming there all on my own but everyone, from the program administrators to the students, made me feel so welcome. I had the opportunity to immersive myself in the Dutch culture through the program, and travel to many neighboring cities and countries. I met some of my closest friends through this program and for that, I’ll always be grateful!

Studying in Maastricht is the best decision I have made. This experience was immersive and I met so many amazing people and made so many wonderful friends. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore Europe without this experience and to learn about the culture.

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.

Overall, I would recommend Maastricht if you enjoy: smaller city vibes, nature, and the quiet lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, there are places to party and hangout, but if you want to go someplace to party, I would not recommend Maastricht. That being said, I am not a party-er and therefore loved the city and University of Maastricht. The university buildings were really cool, and classes are based on "problem-based learning." Be prepared to present multiple times throughout a semester and read a lot, however, I enjoyed this type of learning, I felt like I was far more engaged with the content than American-styled lecture classes. Additionally, I would NOT recommend Maastricht if you want to travel to other countries frequently. The hassle of getting to a nearby city that does have an airport can be quite stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. You might find it cheaper and easier in the long-run to just go Study Abroad in a different city than in Maastricht, but I still really enjoyed Maastricht.

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.

No experience can compare to my time studying abroad in Maastricht. I made life-long friends whose paths I would've never crossed without this experience. I learned a lot during our program field trips and immersed myself in new cultures during my free travel time. The USAC staff was invaluable and made us all feel safe and welcomed during our time in the Netherlands. One of my favorite experiences was Maastricht's Carnaval celebrations. I had never known this festival existed before my studies here and it gave me unforgettable memories that made me appreciate the diversity in every culture. I love looking back at memories and can't wait to make another trip back to Maastricht!

Studying abroad in Maastricht was an experience I'll never forget. I had the opportunity to immerse myself into Dutch culture which gave me a different perspective to view the world. During my days in Maastricht, the program organized trips to get to know more about Dutch culture and local history in Maastricht, along with other international students we got to see and learn about the windmills and different types of Dutch cheese. lt was also easy to move around since majority of Dutch people understand English. My favorite part was going to the market on Fridays to eat some olieballen. After finishing the program I feel more academically prepared and confident traveling by myself, if someone would ask me if I would like to study abroad again ,l would definitely say yes!

Maastricht University is a great place to study abroad. Maastricht is a wonderful city with an adequate social scene and beautiful atmosphere. The professors are knowledgeable and fair, with good course offerings. The only negative was housing, which was manageable.

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!

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!!!

Going abroad on my own was so far out of my comfort zone, but turned out to be an absolutely incredible experience that I will never forget! Enrolling through USAC made the process so easy and I felt supported by the staff in Maastricht every step of the way. I had so many learning moments, whether it was in the classroom or navigating a trip to a new country. I can’t think of a better way to first experience traveling solo abroad.

I completed a summer program in Maastricht and while it was short, it was the best three weeks of my college career. I fell in love with the city of Maastricht, the culture, and the community I built during my program. I got to spend the three weeks learning about leadership from company visits, field trips, and locals. I spent time exploring nearby cities and countries too such as Germany, France, Switzerland, and Belgium. The balance between travel and academics was manageable due to the willingness of everyone to support and help us out. The entire staff at CES was so welcoming and caring to our group and I can say I would be the first person to recommend the program to any students who want to attend. Anyone who is looking to travel abroad and get a feel for Dutch learning styles, and cultures Maastricht University is for you.

Studying abroad in Maastricht was a life changing experience. I traveled to so many new places, did so many new things, and met some really great people. Maastricht quickly became a second home and I can’t wait to go back!

Going on fields trips and studying politics and law from an international viewpoint has helped me broaden my perspective. I had a great time visiting the institutions of the European Union because it helped me get a hands-on experience!

The vineyard, the bikes, the snow, the new friends that you still talk to 4 months after, the beauty of Maastricht, the Treaty on Function of the European Union, the things that make you wish 3 weeks weren't so quick. For me, it was the most memorable experience, and I would do it again and again if given the chance!

Studying abroad changed my life for the better. The Netherlands is a beautiful place with a mix of modernity and longstanding culture, and it's easy to either find something to do or travel inside and outside of the country. Maastricht gave me independence that I was searching for on two wheels! My bike empowered me to seek out new places, relax, and rely on myself for my well-being. The UM Guesthouse was full of international students from across the world as well, so I got to expand my knowledge of the world and share my experiences with people from a variety of different backgrounds from the comfort of my dorm hall. My experiences with USAC in the Netherlands taught me how to be an adult on my own, trust my judgement, and remain organized in an entirely new country. I wouldn't change it for the world!