Missing Maastricht | Travel ✈
I love seeing new places and meeting new people. I have lists and lists of countries, cities, and towns that I want to visit; and as I read and talk to more people those lists just keep growing.
It's been a little over a year since my exchange to Maastricht, and feeling a bit nostalgic I started looking through my travel photos. I thought I'd share some of them here.
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| Postcard perfect. |
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| All the pretty Christmas decorations! I love how the streets and buildings are decorated with garlands and lights. It makes everything seems so magical, especially at night. |
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| These gorgeous cobblestone streets can be found all around Maas! |
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| Taken while an a walking tour of the city. |
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| From my dorm window! |
The picture with the bike at the top of this post is one of my favourite photos from my trip. In Maastricht it's completely normal to see bikes everywhere, street art, and windy, cobbled lanes. I had the best time there and made so many wonderful friends. I couldn't have picked a better place to have had my exchange, and I can't wait to go back and visit! There's a beautiful 13th Century church that's been remodeled into a bookshop between Markt and the Vrijthof (the two main shopping precincts), that I didn't have a chance to visit because when I planned to go. I have heard so many good things about it, it's definitely at the top of my list of places to visit the next time I'm in Maas!
Going on an exchange was on my bucket list, and I'm so grateful that I had the chance to squeeze a short one into my course structure. If you're thinking about going on an exchange or not sure whether its worth doing, I'd strongly recommend signing up. While researching about programs and courses I spoke to other students who completed study abroad programs from different schools and countries, as well as the program I planned to do. Although everyone had different stories and experiences, all of them found their exchanges rewarding and a highlight of their time at university. My only regret is that I wish I could have done another one. You really learn a lot about yourself on exchange. It promotes personal growth, as much as it helps with your academic learning. Travel has a way of allowing you to see the world differently, especially how you view your country, yourself, and what you consider 'home'.
The university faculty that organised my course, Maastricht University's Centre of European Studies (CES), has a weekly instagram competition running for past exchange students who miss their time in Maas. Each week has a new theme and winners are sent a care package full of Dutch goodies! You can have a look at the photo entries by searching #MissingMaastrichtMonday on instagram.
Safe travels!
x E
