Erasmus Exchange Challenges

With less than a month to go before my Erasmus Exchange program starts, I am already excited about it. Many of my friends have done an Erasmus Exchange during their bachelors, and I have got good reviews from them!

My home university is ESCP Europe Business School and my host University is Maastricht University. As an Indian, apart from applying to the VISA, the other thing I had to take care of was to find an accommodation.

The first time I set foot in the Netherlands was when my flight had a connection at Amsterdam. A special Gouda cheese known as the Beemster cheese was served in a sandwich as a snack, and I have fallen for that cheese. Netherlands - a country I had never seen other than that flight layover - has always attracted me. 

Maastricht University is one of the best new universities in the world and I am looking forward to meet new students, know the education system and join some interesting courses.

Image Credit : Netherlands-tourism.com | A beautiful picture on the official Netherlands tourism website

Student Accommodation in Maastricht

As far as my experience till now is concerned - the number of students in Maastricht is booming. Therefore, especially if you are coming for less than 12 months, "start searching for an accommodation early"! More than 70% of private housings need a contract of a minimum of 12 months. So, attention Erasmus Exchange students, it can be extremely difficult if you start just around 2 months before your arrival. 

In Maastricht, the concept of "viewing" before renting is more profound than in Paris. In Paris, it was not much of an issue if an expat is not available to view the place, the payment and the contract with an agency could be done online. But in Maastricht, agencies not only insist on viewings, but often have plans of differing costs that you can buy, and those plans will decide who will be given preference to view an accommodation first.

Bikes rule

There is no metro in Maastricht and late at night, buses stop working (except for the special night buses that work on the weekends). However, cabs are available outside the airport and the railway station at all times, as per my knowledge. Therefore, it might be handy for students to rent a bike or buy a bike from other students that are willing to sell theirs. It is both a time saving option and a good for fitness one too. Bikes are widely used in Maastricht. 

Living in Maastricht

Coming from Paris, I find Maastricht moderate in terms of cost of living. There are definitely cheaper places in Europe. But Maastricht is not that costly either. People seem friendly and nice.

Being a management student, I would also appreciate the fact that there are quite a significant number of companies in Maastricht. In fact, it was one of the reasons I had in mind when choosing Maastricht for my Erasmus exchange - living in a place which has a certain business environment as well.

There is still a lot left to explore in this Erasmus Exchange! The lectures have not yet even begun.

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