Why You Should Study Abroad in Maastricht

Words and photos by Ava Michaud, who studied abroad with ASA in Maastricht, The Netherlands, during the spring semester of 2025.

My name is Ava, and I am studying abroad in Maastricht, Netherlands, during spring semester 2025. I have loved my experience so much and think a large portion of that is due to the city I chose; I hope that by sharing my appreciation for Maastricht and the reasons I think it is special, more people will consider coming here for their study abroad experience as well.

IDEAL TRAVEL LOCATION

Maastricht, and the Netherlands as a whole, is in the heart of Europe, making it easy to travel by plane, bus, or train. Bordered by Belgium and Germany, it is easy to take day trips to explore cities in these countries, such as Cologne, Germany, or Brussels, Belgium. The extensive and easy train system in the Netherlands means that many other cities within the country are accessible and worth visiting. Below, see photos from my trips to Nijmegen and Delft. After spending a lot of money on accommodations for longer stays, having easy access to cute towns that are close enough to spend just the day in will feel like a blessing for your wallet. Maastricht is also a train or bus away from multiple airports, for when you feel like traveling further. Having options for different airports allows you to search for the cheapest plane tickets, although I would recommend the Brussels Charleroi airport for convenience and price. Because the Netherlands, and Maastricht in particular, is sandwiched between multiple countries, there are fewer language barriers; the majority of people speak Dutch, English, and often other languages as well. Compared to many countries I’ve visited where it seems necessary to speak the language, I have been able to get by quite easily in Maastricht with just English.

CUTE, SAFE, AND RELAXING TOWN

Although I have enjoyed my trips to countries that are further away, I have always been glad to return to Maastricht and settle back into the comforting way of life. I am more of a homebody, but also like to get outside, explore, and have occasional nights out. Maastricht is perfect for this! It has the safety of a small town, plenty of restaurants and cafes, a diverse community (over half of the 20,000+ students are from outside the Netherlands), and it feels less stressful and rushed than bigger cities. In the months I’ve been in Maastricht, I have not stopped finding new facets of the city to enjoy or discovering fun places to explore. As the weather has warmed up, my friends and I have enjoyed going to the “lake,” which is really just part of the river where people swim, paddleboard, and tan. The best way I have learned about new places that usually only the locals know is by going on walks or runs through town and observing. The other photo below is one of the views on my run of a nearby horse barn, I was even able to pet one of the horses. Oftentimes, people choose to study abroad in bigger, more well-known cities, but I would argue that Maastricht is an even better location to study abroad because it is simple to integrate into the Dutch way of life, there are plenty of things to do to keep entertained, and it has a comforting and safe atmosphere that is easy to call home.

RICH LOCAL CULTURE

Some of the previously mentioned “things to do” to stay entertained in Maastricht are baked into the culture. It is said that the Dutch will use any holiday as an excuse to spend time with friends, throw a big party, and take time off work. I have found this to be true. At the beginning of March, the Carnival festival happens, where pretty much any costume is appreciated as long as it is wild and fun enough. There is music in the street, the square is blocked off, and there is an excitement in the city days before the celebration. Although Carnival has religious roots, it is a place for everyone to have fun, come together, and celebrate warmer weather and longer days approaching! Similarly, King’s Day (or the King of the Netherlands' birthday) is a holiday marked by a day off work/school and a party in the square. On this day, it is encouraged to wear orange (as shown below). There are other holidays and celebrations during the winter semester, but all of these events during the spring semester helped me and my friends learn about Dutch history and culture and feel connected to the rest of the city.