Sabina in Maastricht

Leaving is never easy, but it’s worth it.

I chose to go to University College Maastricht in the academic year 2021/2022, as it offers, together with UCF, a Double Degree program. I went to UCM right after the COVID-19 restrictions were removed, and my time there felt incredibly familiar, as I could identify the same wonderful atmosphere that I knew from my first (and only in-presence) semester at UCF.

The process of moving to another country was almost effortless, as generations of UCF students have been passing their room in Belgium (right over the border) from one to the other for a long time now. It’s easy, practical, and tradition by now… which was well worth it when it comes to keeping fit (there’s a lot of cycling involved)!

The courses you can take at UCM are very diverse and offered me a great deal of learning opportunities. I was able to discuss my choices with my supervisor as well as with the student support. I loved allowing myself to try out something new, like courses about transitional justice, or ethnography. I also enjoyed many of the free-time activities offered, from debating to feminist movie nights. Aside from that, sightseeing through Maastricht or, generally, the Netherlands or even Belgium was lots of fun.

I would generally recommend UCM to anyone who’s interested in a wider range of courses and is looking forward to conducting their own piece of research before the final thesis, as it provides wonderful training. Keep calm and enjoy the experience!