Summer Study Abroad Programs in Netherlands

I thikn the most worthwhile is when all of us go through things togther and work together the last two days to finish our final project. I think it is a great idea to put a big final projectd combined both art and graphic design

I had a really good experience with Forum-Nexus overall. The program gave me the chance to travel a lot, meet great people, and learn more about different countries in a way that felt interesting and personal. I liked that the staff was friendly and helpful, and the hotels were some of the best I’ve stayed in. Some visits were better than others, but the overall balance of academics, free time, and cultural experiences made the program worth it. I’d recommend it to other students, especially if they want to make friends and grow through travel.

This summer abroad program was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an undergraduate.” “It was thoughtfully organized, with a great balance of academics, cultural exploration, professional visits, and enough independence to grow on my own.” “The instructors were engaging, knowledgeable, and encouraged real discussion, which made classes feel useful beyond the classroom.” “I especially liked being able to connect what we learned to our travels.” “The staff was welcoming and supportive throughout, and I’d absolutely recommend the program to other students.

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 believe if any student can participate in this program, they should take real advantage of it. They offer a lot of subjects, Economics, Art, Business, Culture, Design, Sociology, History, Political Science. The knowledge one gain is massive and in a lot of disciplines. I am really happy to participate the connections i made is totally worth it. Forum Nexus staff are very knowledgeable, they know what they are doing. not to mention that they are easily approachable and always prepared for any problems could occur.

the environment was really fun, lots of free time. i am happy that i chose to participate in this program. regarding the staff, i love the energy and positivity they were giving us all the time. the hotels were pretty great and the locations were amazing. I totally recommend this program, for the professional visits; i really learnt a lot, and the cultural visits; didnt feel a chore at all!, things that you need to visit and do when you visit Europe. I am really thankful to be going with such a group, they will be my all time friends!

I would confidently recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend or peer because of the amount of support I received in CIEE. CIEE also offers programs that are not only academically enriching but also culturally immersive.

My time with Forum-Nexus was fast-paced, exciting, and educational. It was the perfect mix of classes, studying, sight-seeing, socializing, and learning first-hand. I learned a lot from the International IQ class and it prepared me to visit each city on the itinerary. My hospitality internship allowed to me communicate and network with the international hotels and restaurants we stayed at and visited. Forum-Nexus allowed me to step-up and take advantage of being abroad.

Joining Forum-Nexus was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. Traveling across Europe while taking classes gave me a unique blend of academic learning and cultural immersion. Every city brought new perspectives, professional visits helped me understand international business at a deeper level, while group activities and friendships made the journey even more memorable. The program pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me adaptability, teamwork, and global awareness. I left with stronger career skills, a network of friends from around the world, and countless memories that I’ll cherish forever.

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.

I am so happy, I will be recommend it to everyone at my home place. It has been so cool to basically have a guided yet laid back tour across Europe. You are all amazing, perfect balance of there to support us but still give us tons of freedom. Went to 2 professional visits, but they were super cool. felt I learned a lot and they were interesting. The independent cultural visits were encouraging us to get out and see the amazing sights is perfect. It made me appreciate where i was so much more. The accommodation was amazing!

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!

It helped to open my mind and learn how to navigate being alone in another country. Also introduced me to new experiences. I loved the staff. I particularly loved the energy that Hugo brought as well as his wisdom. Professional visits were unique experiences that gave us opportunities not everyone would get part in. Hotels were really great. My level of international IQ certainly improved. I also have new perspectives given we have also seen the countries that we learned about first hand. I have much more of a grasp on the understanding.

Independent cultural visits went well. as expected. many of the ICVs were things i planned on doing. I was unimpressed by the professional visits they felt very uninteractive. Organization needs improvement, sticking to the syllabi. I am happy that I came here I have made amazing friends and I have been able to visit places that I would never have ever known about. IT was a great experience but somehow expensive for my budget.

I am happy that I chose to participate because I made good friends and amazing memories and explored the world in a more independent way that allowed me to be more confident in myself as a person, friend, and traveler.