Program Reviews

Studying abroad is an incredible experience where you gain a global perspective by traveling to different countries almost every weekend, creating amazing friendships that will last a lifetime, and gaining an independence that you can’t get from other experiences. The learning style of Maastricht University, problem based learning, is an awesome way to get to know Maastricht and it forces you out of your comfort zone to meet others in your class, and to become more involved in your readings. Your CES coordinators are there to help you if you get lost at any point, or if you just need a bit of support. They are super friendly people who are great at giving insight into classes as well as giving ideas about travel or where to eat.

A once in a lifetime experience that allows an expansion of prior knowledge combined with a diverse student and staff centered in the heart of Political Europe.

A globally diverse staff that genuinely cares and invests in their students and the experience they have while abroad.

Life changing opportunity, do it!! I've had so much fun here and the people are amazing, both the students and professors as well as the local people.

The program has been stretching and challenging, but with everyday comes a new lesson and different perspective.
The CES staff is one of the kindest and most inviting groups by making every moment a fun and educational one. They strive to make it feel like home away from home.
My study abroad has been an experience that has allowed me to have a better world perspective. This has grown me and given me a wonderful foundation that I can continue to grow. I can't wait to visit the people I have met in the program in different places all over the world!

This program has been extremely eye-opening and full of new amazing experiences I never thought possible. I will never forget the people I have met and places I have gone. The CES staff is one of the most enthusiastic and inviting groups of people I have ever met. They made it so easy to transition here and make Maastricht a place I can call home. I have had the chance to experience such incredible new people, places, and food that I otherwise would not have. Europe and Maastricht is more than I could have ever imagined

I came into this program expecting to struggle to make close connections and meaningful memories, given the short amount of time (only 6 weeks!). But this program has exceeded all of my expectations in every way: I have made close friends with whom I have shared memorable, unbelievable, and absolutely extraordinary experiences with. I feel like I have experienced more life-changing moments in these six weeks than I do in a typical year, and I have learned so much about Europe, life, and even myself. This program has made me see the world in a different way, and has made me want to be a lifelong traveler. There is more than enough time to travel to amazing destinations all over Europe while you're here, as well as plenty of time to learn to love Maastricht like a second home.
The CES staff is more than just available for help; they are eager to help with any and every problem and situation. They open themselves to students in a way that makes them feel like friends and mentors who you want to talk to even when you don't even need help with anything. They help open the doors to great experiences, and really care deeply about all of their students' happiness and well-being.
The classes here are unlike anything I've experienced before: my first class, Medical Ethics, did not simply teach me facts, it taught me an entirely new way of thinking and analyzing. It made me ask more questions than it made me answer, and it expanded my mind rather than just filling it, as most courses tend to do.
I am so glad that I came on this program, and I can't imagine my life without this experience now. Things I learned and experienced here will influence the way I live the rest of my life.

Studying with CES Maastricht as a part of the European History, Culture & Arts program was the exact study abroad experience I was looking for and the most incredible experience of my life. In the classroom, I spent the semester reading, learning and discussing Dutch literature and art. But CES makes sure to bring students outside of the classroom to see and experience the Netherlands and Europe for ourselves, taking us to tour different cities while visiting art and history museums. While living in Maastricht, I truly felt that I was a part of the city while going grocery shopping, stopping for frites or going out at night. Maastricht's central location also allowed for easy travel, taking me to places I had only ever dreamed over. Overall, it was an amazing four months that I wish I could repeat again and again.

Going abroad with CES was the best decision of my life. I met some of the most incredible people, who I can now call friends. Together, we traveled Europe together. We experienced once in a life time things together. We made memories that I will hold with me forever. We saw things that I have dreamt about my whole life, we ate delicious food that I couldn't pronounce, and I got to experience cultures I did not even know about. In addition to my wonderful weekend travels, I also has 2 incredible courses. These courses challenged me academically and socially. They introduced me to cultures around the world as well as made me more culturally aware. CES and Maastricht University were perfect for me and I know I will always look back at this experience with a smile on my face. Thank you CES for the #cesstastic summer.

The courses are eye opening and give a true world view on global issues. They are thought provoking and challenge your way of thinking. CES staff is engaging and welcome differing opinions. The courses are in much smaller settings than most universities and truly allow you to get to know your classmates. Everyone is very welcoming and always willing to go on an adventure. The ability to travel on the weekends really allowed me to learn about European culture on a much deeper level. Being so close to Germany and Belgium, among other European countries, allowed for weekends to always be filled with new places to explore. This program gave me an experience with life long lessons, friends and memories. CES really challenged my way of thinking, open my mind and helped me grow as a person. I would never trade this experience for anything.

I never thought I would be so torn between wanting to stay in Maastricht forever and flying back home to what's familiar. I was stressed out with travel plans, but I eventually just decided to take it easy and relax. Since then, I have enjoyed every aspect of traveling through the countries, befriending new people, eating great foods, and learning new things in Europe and will always cherish the memories.

The first course that I took was EU: Peace, Conflict, and Human Rights. It was a class that I definitely would have never been able to take back in the US. I learned a lot about how Europe came to be (politically, economically, socially, and culturally).

The second course that I took was Comparison Analysis of Global News Media Coverage. The class encourages and helps build critical thinking skills with challenging material given by the course professor. It was a great way for us to learn how to compare and contrast the different types of news coverage between multiple nations and their perspectives.

The CES staff are the loveliest people; they are friendly, helpful, and always available. I was never afraid to email and ask them questions that they always have the answers to.

My study abroad experience was everything I imagined it to be and everything I didn't. I expected to have an eye-opening and enriching experience, but I did not anticipate some of my other experiences - like the incredible feeling of being able to experience another culture first hand, or the relationships that I built with those in the program, or even discovering what daily life as a Maastricht citizen would be like. The little things that I did not think about are what I did not expect, yet at the same time they are what made the program such a positive experience.