Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

This was transformative! I gained enough life experience for a lifetime. January 26, 2024

By (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/24/2023 to 12/23/2023 with

Maastricht University: Center for European Studies, Semester Programmes

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had a fantastic time. I was able to budget and travel internationally almost every week for all four and a half months. I have a much more worldly perspective, and I think I matured incredibly while I was away and out of my comfort zone. 10000/10.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $270 ($200 from travel expenses)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Took a language in High School (AP Latin)
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Socially, I had a great time and gained many friends + a girlfriend
  • The Netherlands was a good home base for travel, centered in the middle of continental Europe
  • My program made me feel very comfortable, assuring, and safe
* What could be improved?
  • I did not like the "PBL" educational format of Maastricht University and courses felt very poorly managed and elementary
  • My budgeting skills
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The importance of a structured budget and some of the cultural differences of my abroad country

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.