Making the Most of Maastricht: Studying Abroad in The Netherlands
LOCATION
Maastricht is a small city in Limburg, a province in the southeast of The Netherlands about 2.5 hours from Amsterdam. It’s bordered by Belgium (so close you can walk over the border) and Germany (about a 30-minute drive) and is also very close to Luxembourg which is only two hours away. This makes for lots of easy travel opportunities in and around Europe!
STUDYING ABROAD IN MAASTRICHT
When you study abroad in Maastricht, you’ll attend Maastricht University which is the most international and fully bilingual university in the Netherlands. If you’re a business or economics student, you’ll be interested to know that their School of Business and Economics is a prestigious one; it’s in the 1% of business schools around the globe that are triple-crown accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).
Classes are taught in English and you’ll be joining a student body of more than 16,000. About half will be from abroad.
You’ll live in a residency hall called The Guesthouse, about a 15-minute walk or a short bike ride from campus.
Take note: two of the best loved places to study (so arrive early) are the Inner City Library and the Center for European Studies building.
WHAT’S MAASTRICHT LIKE?
Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands. It has been called one of the most beautiful in the country and is noted as one of the safest cities in Holland. It’s charming and low-key, affluent but student-friendly, and steeped in history. You’ll stroll along cobblestone streets, past 17th century townhouses and medieval town ramparts as well as some modern and quirky architecture. The city is split by the Meuse River which is lined by many parks, bridges and picturesque bike routes.
Local culture is rooted in joie de vivre (a zest for living) and the city is a cultural center that is home to a wonderful mix of students and academics, researchers and scientists, expatriates and artists.
HOW CAN I SPEND MY FREE TIME?
Maastrict may be small compared to some other popular study abroad destinations, but it’s rich in history and culture. You’ll find there is a busy calendar of events, festivals and performances to explore and it’s a great place for sports and nature lovers who enjoy the great outdoors.
CLIMBING. If it’s rainy, you can head indoors to try rock climbing at Radium Boulders.
TOURS. If you want to orient yourself with a general overview of the city when you arrive, book a tour led by a local on foot or by bike, or float along the river on a guided boat tour.
SQUARES. There are a few squares that you can rely on as useful orientation points when you’re exploring. The central Markt with its 17th century city hall architecture and statue of 18th century gaslight inventor Jean-Pierre Minckelers is one.
The other is Vrijthof Square where you’ll find a reliable landmark in the 13th century Sint Jans Gothic church with its red 70-meter-tall tower. There are 38 listed buildings here, with many of the houses stretching back to the 18th or 19th century. Also in the square is an 11th century chapel with a museum of religious art, a theater, a photography gallery housed in the 16th-century Spanish government building (which also has a café serving up Limburg pie in the courtyard) and a selection of bars and restaurants.
GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS. If you’re interested in other galleries and museums, two others we recommend are the Natuurhistorisch Museum where you can see the skeleton of a Mosasaur that was dug up not far from the city, and Bonnefantenmuseum which has a collection of artworks stretching from the 13th century to the present day.
HISTORY. The historical gems in the city would take a whole blog post to cover alone, but definitely don’t miss the Maastricht Underground. It’s a network of vaults and caves dug for mines in the 13th century and the connected Fort Sint Pieter (from approximately 1700). During WWII it found another purpose as a place to hide munitions, valuable artwork and even people attempting to escape. You can still see some drawings and inscriptions on the walls. Also be sure to see the Helpoort which is pretty impressive as the oldest city gate (13th century) that still exists in The Netherlands. The stone St. Servatius Bridge from the 13th Century has to get a mention in here too.
BOOKS. Also a historical location, but worth a separate mention for bookworms and culture lovers, is the Dominicanen. It has had many a mention in travel publication lists of the coolest and most beautiful bookshops in the world and is well worth visiting. It’s housed in a 13th century Gothic building–a former Dominican church–and was converted into a bookshop in 2006. It has had many purposes in its long history, from home of the Maastricht City Orchestra to a slaughterhouse for sheep. Now it’s a welcoming and stunning space with a coffee bar and is host to many events, debates, exhibitions and lectures.
SHOPPING. If you’re a shopper, make a special note to walk along the Rechtstraat to see what treasures you can find in the independent boutiques.
WHAT (AND WHERE) SHOULD I EAT?
Oh, the food! Always a favorite topic, and in Maastricht you’re in for a treat. It’s the culinary capital of the Netherlands and food plays a big role in the local social culture. There are lively pubs and cafes––more than 500 to try in this small city. Several have earned their Michelin stars, but in general, you’ll find prices are affordable and cater to the huge population of students here.
CAFES. A few cafes and bakeries that should be on your list include Alley Cat Bikes & Coffee, Corner Bakery Maastricht, Livin’ Room, Douwe Egberts, Fixed Gear Coffee and KOFFIE. Special mention to the famed Coffeelovers (run by Blanche Dael which is the oldest–from 1878–coffee roasting facility in the province), which has several branches, for the best cups of coffee.
FOOD. For food, burrito lovers will be pleased to hear there are two excellent options in With Love Burrito and BABs (Bomb Ass Burritos) and you can also find American favorites at FAB. Check out Dadawan for Asian dishes, Piano B for the absolute best pizza, Cato by Cato for a student favorite and definitely pay a visit to Reitz for fries smothered in the sauce special.
MUST TRY. If nothing else, be sure to try the Maastrict classics: A slice of vlaai which is a delicious buttery crumbly fruit-filled pie, preferably from Bisschopsmolen bakery, and a Dutch stroopwaffle which (don’t say we didn’t we warn you) may become a new addiction with your morning coffee. They’re also great on ice cream!
ANY OTHER TIPS?
A few other things to keep in mind to make the most of a study abroad experience in Maastricht…
1. CYCLING. As it is throughout Holland, biking is popular here and there are some beautiful cycle routes to adventure along. You can buy a second-hand bike or rent one, but the best advice is to get a good sturdy lock that can’t be easily removed.
2. GROCERIES. Find cheap fruit, veg, bread and meat in the central market and stock up on the rest at cheap supermarkets like Lidl, Jumbo, and Aldi.
3. WEATHER. Temperatures are usually mild here. Winters will drop to around 32 degrees and summers will usually peak in the low to mid 70s. Pack and dress accordingly depending on which season you visit.
4. GETTING AROUND. Cycling is popular among students, but pick up an OV-chip card for discounts on public transportation