WANT to know why people study in the Netherlands? We've asked Cristina Radulescu, a Law student originally from the University of Reading, what's so good about studying in Maastricht.
STUDENT WORLD ONLINE: What do you love about Maastricht?
CRISTINA: There’s a story-book-like atmosphere in Maastricht that I find really appealing. It’s the combination of the architecture and the carefree-yet-well-put-together quality that people seem to have about them. It’s a city that strikes a balance between the quintessential Dutch intensity (especially at parties) and the calm of a traditional Dutch town.
SWO: Did you feel differently when you first arrived?
C: I arrived in Maastricht early last September after having spent the summer working in London. It was a welcome change of scenery from the sleepless English metropolis to this (comparatively) quiet Dutch town. Initially, I thought that I wouldn’t be able to adapt to the change of pace, but it was actually exactly what I needed.
SWO: Is there anything you don’t like about Maastricht?
C: Although this must be applicable to most of the Netherlands, the weather can get really depressing between November and March. If you’re not careful, it can put you in a really rotten mood for most of that time. Also, sometimes, when there aren’t any massive events going on (like TEFAF or Carnaval), there’s not much going on and you inevitably slip into a boring routine.
SWO: Is it easy to get around in Maastricht?
C: Absolutely! Bicycles and mopeds are the no.1 means of transport in Maastricht. The public transport system is efficient as well, but, honestly, not something you’re likely to use frequently since all the university buildings, pubs, restaurants and shops are in the same general area in the centre.
SWO: What is there to see and do in Maastricht?
C: This really depends on the time of year you find yourself in Maastricht.
Probably the most popular time of year people come to Maastricht is during Carnaval at the beginning of February. It’s the only time of year when it’s socially acceptable to freely walk around in fancy dress for nearly an entire week. If you’re more of a fine art lover, then I highly recommend visiting TEFAF at the beginning of March. It’s an international art fair where galleries, auction houses and the likes gather from all over the world to display incredible works of art. It’s the sort of occasion where people casually talk about adorning their homes with an ornament somewhere in the seven-figure price range.
But I wouldn’t discourage people from visiting on any other occasion! You can just explore one of the many Cathedrals, the castle ruins at nearby Lichtenberg, or see a play put on by students at the Toneelacademie.
SWO: Good shops?
C: Maastricht is full of boutiques that cater for any taste and budget. At the weekend people from nearby Germany and Belgium flock here JUST to do their shopping. Clothing shops range from Hermes to H&M and of course there are loads of vintage stores. There are also a lot of really amazing bookshops (Boekhandel Dominicanen being the best!) and art galleries (some of which will rent you a painting for 10 Euros/month – in case you’re looking for a fancy twist to your student décor).
SWO: Good places to eat?
C: The Dutch love to eat well and one of the things I noticed was that at lunch most locals and a significant number of students eat at one of the many bistros or café’s scattered around town.
A great place for a proper meal is Momus, right in the Vrijthof, where I always bring people who come to visit. If you’re in search of something to soothe your sweet tooth, Taart is the best choice. Alternatively, there are a lot of street-food options to choose from, including the quintessential fries & sauce.
SWO: Good places to drink?
C: It goes without saying that the Dutch appreciate quality drinks. Pubs and bistros are everywhere around Maastricht and there are plenty to choose from. You can enjoy a pint and some rugby at one of the Irish pubs around the university, a glass of wine or some G&T at a bistro on the river-front or pre-drinks at one of the student bars. Your choice!
SWO: Good places to relax and hang out?
C: Café’s and Coffee Shops are the main places where students meet up to blow off some steam. De Brandweer is especially popular because it also hosts a lot of artsy/alternative events that always seem to attract a lot of people.
Students in Maastricht are also very keen on sports, and you’ll often decide to chill out with your mates at the gym or playing squash (highly recommended cathartic/bonding experience).
SWO: What’s the area like?
C: It’s brilliant if you’re keen on travelling around Western Europe. Maastricht is in the far-southern part of the Netherlands and it boarders both Germany and Belgium. Just to put things in perspective, the Belgian border is a 10-minute drive from the city centre and Liege (a university town in Belgium which is also worth visiting) is half an hour away by train. That’s why a lot of students who come here spend their weekends exploring places outside the Netherlands.
SWO: What’s the university like?
C: The atmosphere is very inclusive and lecturers are really eager to offer assistance when you’re in difficulty.
The International Students’ Association (ISN) acts as a liaison for all foreign students and the university, which can prove especially useful when dealing with bureaucracy. They also organize all sorts of events for students nearly every week – from international dinners to club-nights or trips around the continent. You’re not likely to get bored!
SWO: Do you live on campus?
C: Here, there’s no campus per-se. It’s a university town in the real sense of the word, with all of the buildings scattered all over the place. Students have the option to either live in a guesthouse (which is the equivalent of a university’s halls of residence in the UK) or in privately rented accommodation. I chose the latter.
They’re both really good options overall and it really depends on what kind of person you are and what you’re used to when making your choice. The guesthouse is normally where all the (ironically) house parties take place and it’s a brilliant location if you want to be in the centre of the uni’s social scene. However, if you prefer a more low-key and immersive experience into Dutch culture and living, then I highly recommend a privately owned flat.
SWO: How much is monthly rent?
C: The price of rent varies a lot depending on location and type of accommodation. One of the reasons I chose private as opposed to university-owned housing was because it was cheaper. Personally, I pay 345 Euros/month for a room in a flat, utilities and Wifi included.
However, the price of rent is highly dependent on location and architecture. For instance, if you’re eager to live in a traditionally designed Dutch house near the centre or overlooking the Mause river, you should expect to pay more than if you live in a flat 25-minute walk away.
SWO: How much is a cinema ticket, a two-mile cab ride and a 1kg bag of rice?
C: For up to 10 Euros you can enjoy any new film at Pathe, Cinema Lumiere or Euroscoop, which are the three multiplex cinemas in Maastricht. If you’re looking for a more alternative cinematic experience, De Brandweer is an eclectic venue where they screen cult classics - Fight Club, Jaws, Magnolia, Bonnie and Clyde to name a few - every Tuesday evening for only 2 Euros. Cab journeys are not as frequent among students in Maastricht as they might be among those in the UK (as I said before, bikes are the most popular mode of transportation). They’re usually reserved for trips from the trains station if you’re hauling a lot of luggage. Depending on the company you use, a two-mile cab-ride will amount to 15 Euros at most.
Food is not very expensive if you know where to look. 1 kg bag of rice for example is 90 cents at Albert Heijn (a moderately-priced supermarket chain, equivalent to Sainsbury’s in the UK). If you combine supermarket purchases with those from the weekly farmers’ market, it’s safe to say that in the Netherlands you can afford to eat varied, healthy and tasty food on a budget.
Want to study in the Netherlands? Make an enquiry to study at a Dutch university, or find out about student life in Amsterdam here.
