Medicine Study Abroad Programs in Netherlands

I studied abroad Spring 2024 in Maastricht, Netherlands. And I really did have the time of my life. Studying in Maastricht, I was very challenged with academics. UM’s problem based learning strategy encourages students to lead class discussions, take an active role in choosing what to focus on, and collaborate with other students. Maastricht’s location in the heart of Europe allowed me to travel to other European countries by train with ease, making weekend travel easy. CES’s group trips and orientation helped me make friends immediately, whom I cooked dinner with, traveled with, and studied with, and who I still keep up with. If you have one choice - study abroad at Maastricht through CES!!!

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.

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.

I had such a good experience in the Public Health and Medicine in Europe program at Maastricht. I mainly took psychology and genetics courses (plus a lab), and I really enjoyed how these classes were taught, especially at UCM. Through the pbl-style learning, I developed better independent study skills and was able to learn and engage with the content rather than memorize it for a test. One of my favorite parts of this program was also how I was able to learn with local students at UCM. Through group projects and our in-class discussions, I made some really good friends who not only helped me with my initial adjustment to the pbl-style, but also showed me around local spots in Maastricht. Additionally, the Berlin, Paris, and Dutch Day trips were so fun and culturally enriching. They had the perfect amount of structure and a good agenda while still offering a lot of free time and recommendations to explore the cities on your own with friends. Maastricht was the cutest city with such fun things to do, such as the market every Friday, and had some really good cafes/food places and bars. It was easy and affordable to travel from and filled with such kind people. I came back with such good lifetime friends, and miss Maastricht (and biking) every day.

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.

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.

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!

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!

I had the best time when studying abroad at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands. Not only did I gain cultural and worldly knowledge, but I did so in a beautiful place surrounded by great people. Maastricht is a gorgeous city located on the border of the Netherlands and Belgium with the River Maas running through it, almost at the center. The school is a central part of the city, however tourism isn't uncommon making Maastricht a multicultural hub. Maastricht is located about two hours away from Amsterdam which is not too far but not too close, making trips into the big city special. Traveling to other cities and countries was very easy as Maastricht has a reliable bus and train system. The city itself is not that big, it only takes about forty-five minutes to get from one side to the other, but it is packed with college life. The schools buildings are spread out all over the city, allowing students to explore unknown areas and truly get to know the region. The school system is set up into two parts, lectures and tutorials, which really helped me to understand and retain the information that I was learning. The study abroad program at the University took the students on trips to Berlin and Paris, where we were able to see art museums and historic sites. In all, to be able to travel and create new memories and experiences while also making friends and learning is an invaluable experience. I would highly recommend studying abroad, you're able to be surrounded by open minded individuals who have a passion for traveling and educating themselves!

Absolutely loved my Study Abroad experience in Maastricht. Met incredible people and made lifelong memories. It’s in the perfect location for exploring other countries, and the town itself quickly begins to feel like home. I felt truly immersed in Dutch culture, leaving the summer feeling more educated and fulfilled. The classes themselves were manageable, covered important topics, and I learned a lot. It was definitely hard to leave at the end of the semester and go back home, but I’m grateful for everything the experience Maastricht brought me.

This study abroad trip was so much fun and I learned a lot during my 6 weeks abroad. The classes were really fun and interesting and the food on campus was amazing and affordable. Maastricht is a perfect place to visit, it’s very walkable and you can also rent a bike :)

Studying abroad in Maastricht has opened my eyes to the beauty of the world and reignited my passion for my major. I have formed some of the most amazing connections with the most amazing people that I never would've crossed paths with had it not been for this program. These are memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Living in a student-dense town, with the majority being international, I felt comfortable knowing that we were all a bit nervous at first about starting a new chapter of our lives in this small town. I was able to learn about many other cultures and teach others about mine. I enjoyed all of my courses, and while some challenged me, all had shown me why I chose to follow psychology. I couldn't be more grateful for this experience.

The pulic health program in Maastricht is very well organized and very educational. CES does an amazing job coordinating appropriate material and activities to enhance your learning experience in your program. The CES staff is amazing. They offer you with complete support and help guide you efficiently through any issues you may have while abroad. They make it truly feel like a comfortable and supportive community. My study abroad experience was transformative. I learned more about myself than I thought possible and grew tremendously as an individual through traveling and experiencing different cultures.

The Public Health program at CES has fast-tracked my courses at my home university. I am able to study within my major in high detail and talk about international perspectives with those who know it best.The CES staff have been so supportive and helpful throughout the entire program! They are always there to advise, guide, and even talk about anything that’s on your mind. My study abroad experience has been nothing short of a life changer. I have been able to see the world, talk to new people, and experience personal growth and independence.

I loved Maastricht. It is a very beautiful college town with lots of international students. I took business and literature classes and I thoroughly enjoyed them and felt like I learned and retained the information. Because Maastricht is so central, I also got to travel to multiple countries, such as France, Spain, Scotland, and Austria.

I know it sounds cliche... but words literally do not do justice to this experience. USAC was amazing helping us deal with covid when we first got there. They planned tons of activities for us to do to get to know one another. If you showed up to the activities and trips it was literally impossible not to make friends!! The housing situation was one of my favorite parts. The shared kitchen was set up in a way that made the hall feel like your own 15 person family. I got to know so many people from so many different cultures and countries and these were the people that I spent most of my time living and traveling with. The class offerings were amazing. You are able to do a mixture of CES courses with other students in your cohort and also take classes at the university with the full time Uni students. The collaborative learning style is so refreshing after coming from a big state university. I think I learned more at Maastricht in a semester then I have at my home university in the last three years. The city of Maastricht itself is also just so perfect for students. You can bike anywhere and it has amazing night life! It was truly the perfect college town and the locals were always so inviting. If you're thinking about this program, all I have to say is DO IT!!!

Maastricht is the perfect location to study abroad in. So many destinations are accessible by bus/train and there are multiple options for airports to fly out of. Because Maastricht is a smaller, student-centered city, it doesn’t take long to feel at home there! The problem-based learning (PBL) method used at Maastricht University involves fewer hours in class, which allows for a more flexible travel schedule. Student-directed discussions foster more curiosity than traditional lectures, and explaining concepts to my classmates ensures my own understanding and retention. I was only supposed to be abroad for one semester, but I decided to extend my time and finish my degree here. I am also strongly considering graduate programs in the US that use PBL.

Right in the heart of Europe, this beautiful little city is located in the southern Limburg region of the Netherlands. It is a bicycle ride away from the Belgian border and a quick bus trip to the Germany. This largely student city combines Dutch culture with the surrounding European countries with delightful architecture, plenty of shopping, and a great food and bar scene. If your goal is to travel around Europe during your time here (which you absolutely should), Maastricht is about 1.5 hours bus ride from Brussels Airport in Belgium and Cologne/Bönn Airport. Also, nearby is Eindhoven Airport and not too much farther is Brussels Charleroi Airport. So, you have plenty of options for cheap flights all around the continent. However, Maastricht is the perfect city to explore as well. There are plenty of student events and clubs that you can get involved in, several museums, and charming parks. You'll probably quickly become friends with your hallmates at the UM Guesthouse who will be from all over the US, Europe and around the world. My hall was made up of Americans, Spanish, Portuguese and Northern Irish people and throughout the semester we became like a little family to come home to after weekend adventures. You'll also have plenty of opportunities in class to meet full-time and other international students. The classes here tend to be a bit more challenging as much of the university runs on the Problem-Based Learning approach where much of the learning is done in small groups with a tutor present to help guide the discussions. The upside to this is the small class size, but the downside is that it generally requires more independent study and time dedicated to class. It may take some time to get used to, but don't worry, the staff at the Center for European Studies (CES) are a big resource! They are all extremely kind and willing to help you with anything during your time in Maastricht. They also organize study trips to different cities around Europe, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (Fall Semester), and so much more. Maastricht became my second home during my time here and it was definitely the highlight of my university experience to study here through USAC. I hope it will be for you too!