3-MINUTE TRAVEL GUIDE:
MAASTRICHT, NETHERLANDS
DON’T FORGET TO PACK Clothes that layer easily (weather can change drastically throughout the day), waterproof coat/shoes, a belt (you may lose a few inches by walking/biking/eating healthier food), a bag that fits budget airline dimensions for weekend trips, favorite snacks from home, and skincare/makeup (there are fewer options in the Netherlands). Most important, leave extra room in your bag to bring items home!
BEST LEFT AT HOME Athleisure clothes, too many pairs of shoes (takes up a lot of room), heels/uncomfortable shoes.
WHERE TO LIVE The UM Guesthouse, which is specifically for exchange students at Maastricht University. The rooms are spacious and a 10-minute bike ride from everything in Maastricht. You will meet students from all over the world while living here!
BEST EATS NEAR CAMPUS Bread & More for the best ready-made sandwiches in the city center,
Soup Bros for homemade soup made from organic, locally-grown ingredients,
With Love Burrito if you find yourself missing the Mexican food in California, and
Cafe Frape, which serves over 500 types of beer. Tell the staff what flavors you prefer, and they will give you recommendations.
FAVORITE NETHERLANDER ACTIVITY Picnics in the Stadspark when the weather is nice, walking along the medieval city walls, shopping at the weekly farmers market, people-watching at one of the many cafes in the city center, karaoke at Peter’s Irish Pub, not doing any work after 5 PM.
WHERE TO STUDY So many places! Here are my favs: Alley Cat – a hybrid bike shop-study cafe
Coffeelovers – a local cafe chain, has locations in university buildings and throughout the city
Outside in the Stadspark (when the weather is nice)
The Inner City Library on the west side of the river, and the Randwyck Library on the east side of the river
Boekhandel Dominicanen, a Gothic church that was repurposed to be a bookstore
MUST-TRY LOCAL DISH I can’t pick just one. Here are all the best foods to try:
Limburgse vlaai, which is traditional pie from the southern region of the Netherlands.
Stroopwafels, which is a cookie made of two flat wafers with caramel syrup in the middle. My favorite way to eat them is to warm them over coffee or tea to melt the caramel.
Friets, which are thick-cut french fries dipped in mayonnaise.
The Dutch eat raw, pickled herring by dangling the fish head-first above their mouth (the taste and texture is similar to tuna sashimi).
Belgian waffles from the nearby city of Liège, Belgium.
BEST PHOTO OP The Sint-Servaasbrug Bridge offers the best view of the Meuse River.
BIGGEST FAIL Bringing suitcases I couldn’t lift on my own! Using vacuum compression bags saved volume, but they made my luggage overweight.
BUY THIS Home goods from Dille & Kamille, a Dutch brand that is zo gezellig (cozy)!
Buy your waterproof coat and boots in the Netherlands; they’re cheaper and better made than you’ll find in California.
NOT THAT A bike! You can rent one on a monthly basis from Swapfiets instead. The rental fee also includes maintenance costs.
MOST INTERESTING CLASS European Public Health! Our professor gave us the freedom to explore topics we were interested in as a class. We compared the European and American healthcare systems in our discussions, and we were encouraged to share our opinions and personal experiences.
BEST PART OF THE PROGRAM The diverse international student population at Maastricht University! In one of my discussion sections, every student was from a different country which created a unique group dynamic. Problem-Based Learning also helped me become a more active learner and big-picture thinker.
FAVORITE UCEAP TRIP OR ACTIVITY Our day trip to Zaanse Schans, which is a traditional village with little green houses, windmills, and sheep.
UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND TRIPS Malta! There is so much to do and so much history in such a small country. The locals are kind, the weather is warm, and the pace of life is relaxed. The local cuisine is influenced by nearby Sicily and North Africa. My favorite dishes were Maltese rabbit and pastizzis, a flaky pastry filled with ricotta and peas.
BONUS PRO TIP Appreciate the daily routine abroad because when you return home, you’ll find yourself missing life in Maastricht as much as the exciting weekend trips. When it comes to problem-based learning, you get what out what you put in. In Dutch culture, the opinions of each member of a group are considered valuable, so don’t hesitate to share and even disagree (in a constructive way, of course). Locals in Maastricht use a dialect called Limburgish, which sounds different than the standard Dutch you may have learned or practiced before arriving. Finally, the Dutch are known to be direct – and this includes professors, especially when giving feedback on assignments. Don’t take it too personally; they’re trying to help you.
