Lindsey CampbellParticipated in 2023Study Abroad | Netherlands
Lindsey was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from UC Santa Barbara in 2022. She was originally meant to study abroad at Maastricht University for just six weeks, but it unexpectedly turned into a year!
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Coming from a multicultural upbringing, I had a lot of family support for my decision to study abroad, which I am so grateful for! Not studying abroad is one of my mom's biggest regrets, since later in life she realized how different immersing yourself into a foreign university is compared to simply visiting another country as a tourist.
Because I am planning to become a dentist, it is important for me to travel and experience different ways of life so that I can more easily relate to a variety of patients. I originally applied for the six week summer program at Maastricht University, but online classes at my home university during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed me to get ahead in credits and spend an entire year abroad!
Woke up before sunrise to see the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy without the crowds.
Why did you choose ?
I chose CES Maastricht because I wanted to take classes with local students. Many exchange programs for American students only offer classes with other Americans, which makes it difficult to integrate and truly feel immersed in a different culture.
Half of my classes at Maastricht University were with other Americans, and the other half were with local students. This was the perfect balance for me because I still had access to a familiar learning environment while also having the opportunity to integrate with the university community.
What was your favorite part about Maastricht or the Netherlands?
Maastricht is a student city, so many of the local businesses and events cater to students. It is also located close to the Belgian and German borders, which allows for day trips to cities such as Brussels, Belgium and Cologne, Germany, as well as travel throughout the Netherlands.
Because the city is so international, a variety of languages in addition to Dutch and English can be heard in the streets, so you will never feel like you are the only foreigner! The problem based learning method also attracts more independent and outspoken personalities to the university. In one of my courses, each student was from a different country and contributed a unique perspective to our group discussions.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My semester was unique since it was the first semester that Maastricht University welcomed exchange students for in-person classes after the COVID-19 pandemic. I feel as though my classmates and I had a greater appreciation for in-person education and people were eager to travel and socialize. During this time, travel had not returned to pre-pandemic demand, so weekend trips were significantly cheaper and less crowded!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Soon after starting classes at Maastricht University, I unexpectedly extended my time abroad to finish my degree at Maastricht University. The CES staff was so accommodating and helped me enroll in the last few classes I needed to graduate, even though I would no longer be in the CES program the following term. Since my situation was a special case, I appreciate CES's willingness to quickly adapt to my change in plans.
I enjoyed seeing the colorful spring tulip fields while in the Netherlands!
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
In December 2021, as the omicron variant of COVID-19 emerged, my professors at Maastricht University were very accommodating towards international students and allowed us to return home early and complete our courses online. Those of us who decided to stay in Maastricht were still able to attend classes and final exams in-person with social distancing/personal protection measures.
Throughout this wave of the pandemic, both the university and the Dutch government were committed to safely resuming in-person education as soon as possible. At this point, I was so glad I extended my time in Maastricht, because my home university remained online for weeks after Maastricht University had resumed in-person instruction. Throughout the year, we were also provided free at-home COVID-19 testing kits and free PCR testing while tests were not always readily available in the United States.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I could have formed deeper relationships with the people I met abroad. I learned a lot from my interactions with others, but a semester isn't much time to truly get to know people while also balancing academics and weekend travel. Since many exchange students at the UM Guesthouse travel often, it can be difficult to find people to spend weekends in Maastricht with.
This is not the case for everyone though and is very dependent on your personal priorities and willingness to expand your social circle! I still keep in touch with many of the friends I met abroad so this isn't a huge regret for me.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in my life began with a bike ride to my classes, which usually includes a 90-minute lecture followed by a 90-minute problem-based learning session. For lunch, I usually enjoyed a sandwich from one of the many shops that make them fresh and affordable for students. After class, I enjoyed walking around the city and studying at a cafe or the library.
In the evenings, I cooked dinner at the UM Guesthouse with my flatmates and continued studying at home so I would have more free time to travel on the weekends! Students at Maastricht University spend fewer hours in the classroom because much of the problem-based learning process involves independent study, so this allowed for more flexibility in my schedule
Ice skating at the Christmas market with a friend while in Cologne, Germany.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I spent most of my free time traveling! Maastricht is in such a central location that I believe it's possible to travel to a wide variety of destinations without ever having to take an airplane. I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience popular tourist destinations during the less-crowded off-season and interact with other travelers at hostels.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Exchange students stay at the Maastricht University (UM) Guesthouse, which is about a 15-minute bike ride from university buildings and the city center. Because students from all around the world live at the Guesthouse, you will learn about a variety of other cultures in addition to Dutch culture. I found the UM Guesthouse to be much better quality for the price compared to typical US dormitory standards with its spacious single rooms and kitchens with cooking supplies.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has helped me distinguish what makes American culture unique and encouraged me to learn more about the immigrant communities in the United States. This experience has also revealed the many ways in which the United States needs to improve as a country in order to remain competitive with the rest of the developed world.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
When it comes to problem-based learning, you will get out what you put in. You will be expected to take a lot more responsibility for your education and collaborate in a team with people who may be very different from you.
PBL can seem daunting at first, until you realize that your classmates are also here to learn and your professors are there to support you. I used to consider working in groups to be one of my weaknesses, but now I feel that it is one of my strengths! I also appreciate how eager professors are to learn from the perspectives of students and tailor course content to our personal interests and current events.
Oui, oui! A weekend trip to Paris, only a four-hour train ride from Maastricht.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend CES Maastricht. Compared to my friends' experience as exchange students at other universities in Europe, CES is very involved in the student experience and helps American students feel at-home by hosting Thanksgiving and Fourth of July celebrations.
Maastricht is a great base for travel throughout Europe, so this program is perfect for students who plan to spend most weekends exploring other cities and spending weekdays enjoying Maastricht. Problem-based learning also provides students with skills that are directly applicable to any career and is a great experience for students considering graduate school.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is experiencing a new way of life. Doing so urges us to question what we consider "normal" and reevaluate what our true priorities are. Interacting with a variety of cultures also helps us understand the perspective of others, communicate effectively, and diplomatically navigate disagreements.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel involves not only seeing sights, but also interacting with people from different backgrounds. It involves supporting local businesses, traditions, and craftsmanship, learning about how the history of a region impacts its present-day culture, and pursuing new experiences outside of our comfort zone.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLvAm6momZRjsLC5jqKlrZ2iq7amw9Joo6KmlKiyunnCmqSpmpWhuQ%3D%3D