Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

Exchange Study Report

Vrijthof (Town Centre), Maastricht, The Netherlands

Exchange School: School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University, The Netherlands

So Jeffrey BBA in Global Business and Finance (Class of 2014)

If more information is needed, get my contact from SBM Exchange Team by emailing at [email protected].  

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Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

Part I – Monthly Activity Log I.

Activity Log January We arrived the Maastricht in late January. Our flight landed on Schipol Airport (close to Amsterdam), then take a train down to Maastricht. The train from Schipol/Amsterdam to Maastricht is quite frequent, at around 30 minute intervals. We took the train from Schipol to Utrecht, then from Utrecht to Maastricht.

The  Maas,  Maastricht

Maastricht train station is quite far from the guesthouse, where most exchange students live in. The ESN Maastricht every year kindly arranges the pick-up services for the exchange students (free of charge). Few days before departure, please be reminded to send them an email notifying your registration. February We started the period 4 in February, having tutorial sessions each week. In later sessions, I will give more details of the courses taken in Maastricht. Apart from the very exciting classes in the University, we had the carnival week of the Maastricht in the next week of February. We travelled to Paris and few other cities in western Europe during the holiday. Some may choose to stay in Maastricht during the carnival week, as it is quite a special event to the locals. Yet, this long holiday is 2    

Where  is  this  in  Paris?

Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

a great chance for travelling far too. March In March, we are quite used to the life in Maastricht, either academics or daily living. In Maastricht University, you would start doing projects and presentations with your group mates. These are good chances of mingling with the local students. The locals are very friendly and easygoing, so you may seek help from them for issues outside the class too! In early April, we would be having the examinations for period 4 courses. We would have to start the revision in mid March too.

  Kinderdijk,  Rotterdam  (World  Heritage  –  “The  Village  of  Windmills”)

April After finishing exams in early April, we had a long holiday. We went to Prague, Wien and few other cities of Germany. In Europe, the train network is very convenient with reasonable price. Therefore, though the cities (e.g. Prague and Wien) are quite far, I would recommend taking train for long-haul travelling. 3    

Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

Riverside,  Prague  (One  of  my  favourite  pictures  of  the  trip)

After the break, we started the period 5. In April, Maastricht gets warmer, with breezes and sunshine. It is good to take a walk along the “The Mass” (the main river passing through Maastricht), enjoying the beauty of Maastricht. May Queen’s Day (or King’s Day thereafter) is an important day of the Netherlands. On that day, each of us will wear orange clothing (the colour of the country) to celebrate together! If you are keen on parties or big events, I would recommend you going to Amsterdam or Rotterdam, where official celebrating events are organized. Getting closer to the end of period 6, you would have to work on final assignments or presentations. Yet, during the study period before the examinations, you may go on some day trips to relax yourself a bit. Atomium,  Brussels

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Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

June In early June, we would take examinations for period 5. Depending on the departure date, you may go on another trip before going back Hong Kong. For myself, I stayed in Amsterdam for few days before leaving, spending much time in learning this beautifully old city. Nieuwe  Kerk,  Amsterdam

Part II – General Exchange Information I.

Visa Procedure For HKSAR passport holders, including myself, are required to apply for Visa for exchange study in the Netherlands. Maastricht University’s International Relations Office (IRO) is very helpful with students’ Visa application procedure. In October 2012, we received email from IRO, with detailed information of the Visa issues. Upon arrival, we would have to complete the Tuberculosis check (TB test) in Heerlen (a town very close to Maastricht). A special point to note is the financial proof for the exchange study. Though there are several options to provide that proof, I would recommend making a deposit to the University, which is the easiest and the most convenient way.

II.

Orientation Activities Before the school officially starts, the University would organize an orientation for all the exchange students. That would be a 2-day event, with local students mingling with the exchange students and sharing information. In this event, the students are put into different groups, which was a great chance starting friendships with others.

III.

International Services and Activities We received much support from the IRO (International Relations Office) and ESN (ERASMUS Student Network). IRO is the official contact of the 5  

 

Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

Maastricht University, helping us on Visa, course registration issues, etc. ESN is a student organization, helping the exchange students getting well in the Maastricht community. Apart from the pick-up services mentioned earlier, it organizes gatherings and trips for the students. IV.

Accommodations I lived in the Guesthouse, as recommended by the University. Before the exchange, you would have to visit the website of “Masstricht Housing” and make a deposit by online payment. Guesthouse is the most popular choice for exchange students. If you wish to hang out with other exchange students, that would be a great choice.

The  inside  of  my  room  

The location of the guesthouse is quite convenient, which is around 30min walking distance from the University, or 10-min cycling. Around the guesthouse, there are two supermarkets within 10-min walking distance, namely C1000 and Albert Heijn. Yet, some would prefer other options, due to price and location preferences. As I did not opt for those, you may look for more information from other exchange reports. V.

Course Registration Course registration in Maastricht University is straight-forward and easy. As the courses are organized in tutorial sessions, the quota is flexible and student could usually register their preferred courses. The only thing to note is refer to the course registration period. The IRO would send exchange students an email, notifying us the deadlines. Therefore, be sure to keep an eye on that! 6  

 

Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

VI.

Teaching & Assessment Methods The school adopts “Problem Based Learning”, promoting self-initiated learning. Students prepared the curriculum in advance with designated reading materials. Student would share their thoughts during the tutorial sessions. We were encouraged to actively participate in the discussions, either asking question or suggesting solutions to fellow classmates. We had to proactively acquire new knowledge and then share our own thoughts during the class. The learning in Maastricht is rewarding, both in terms of academic knowledge and self improvements. During the exchange I have taken four courses, namely: Block 4 i)

International Competition Policy EBC2093 – Social Science Elective Equivalent This is an economic course discussing the market competitions and related policies. With reference to the reading materials, we explain the market condition and the government policies from economic perspectives. The professor guided us with a clear and critical framework of interpreting completion policies, which was a rewarding experience. The workload is average. The reading materials include a designated textbook and some EU Commission anticompetitive cases. The final assignment is a written report on EU anticompetition case.

ii)

International Financial Management EBC2070 – FINA3404 International Finance Equivalent This is a finance course, providing overview of the financial industry. It covers many topics, including FX, derivatives, etc. It provides students a comprehensive view of how each part works together to make a complete financial industry. The workload is reasonable. Students have to prepare presentations and assignments regularly. Apart from this, participation in tutorial session is critical too. There is no final assignment but an examination.

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Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

Block 5 iii)

International Financial Accounting EBC2056 – ACCT3020 Financial Accounting II Equivalent This accounting course shared similar curriculum with the corresponded one of UST. The main difference would be its teaching method. As mentioned, we are required to prepare the classes ahead and complete the assignments. In each class, the students shared their solutions and learn the accounting concepts together. The tutor would provide advice and demonstrate the accounting skills in examples. The workload is relatively high for me, as my accounting knowledge is not as solid as other fellows. Apart from the assignments for each class, each student had to make presentation for one of topics of the curriculum. At the end of the period, there would be a group report and a final examination.

iv)

Options and Futures EBC2053 – FINA3204 Derivative Securities Equivalent This course goes deep into derivatives knowledge, from basic concepts to mathematical valuation, from settling procedure to trading strategy. This course is a quite rewarding, especially for finance major students. The workload of the course is low. We only have few assigned questions for each class and a final examination. Yet, the main work is self-learning the complicated concepts of options. As a business student with less mathematical knowledge, I spent more time on understanding the mathematical theories.

VII. Sports & Recreation Facilities In the Guesthouse, there are sports facilities for the students, including tennis and basketball court. Apart from that, there are gyms and dance schools in Maastricht too. During the orientation, the student helper will guide the exchange students through the town and introduce us the facilities.

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Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

VIII. Cost/Expenses

IX.

Items Amount (in HKD) Air ticket (return) Accommodation Food and Grocery Travel Visa Application Fee

9,000 35,000 10,000 20,000 6,000

Total

80,000

Social Clubs & Network opportunities As mentioned, both ESN and IRO are very supportive in helping students adapting to the Maastricht. They regularly organize events for the exchange students, so we can get together and foster friendships. Apart from this, we stayed in the Guesthouse, so have much opportunities meeting other exchange students. In the Guesthouse, there are many parties organized by difference communities, so it would not be a problem if you would like to meet new friends.

X.

Health & Safety Maastricht is very safe town with mostly student of the University. The locals are very friendly and willing to help the exchange students too. Therefore, there is little concern regarding safety in the town. Apart from this, as I stayed in the guesthouse, the security service was good and assuring too. In Maastricht, there are not as many clinics as in other cities. I would recommend bringing some medicine for contingency. Apart from this, you can seek help from your neighbourhood as they are quite helpful to friends.

XI.

Food Produce in Maastricht is fresh and clean. We usually bought from the supermarkets nearby and cooked the meal ourselves. The exchange students would usually cook together and shared the expense. Apart from daily produce, we can buy Chinese foodstuff from the Oriental (東方 行) in the city center, or from the San Wah (新華行) across the Mass. 9  

 

Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

Additionally, tap water of Maastricht is safe to drink too. XII. Transportation In Maastricht, people usually travel on foot or by bicycles. The UST exchange students including myself did not buy a bike there; therefore you may refer to more information from the exchange report of the previous students. Walking from the guesthouse to the University takes around 30 minutes. Travelling in Europe is very convenient with the intercity train network. The train schedule is precise and easy to be checked up on internet. The price of train transportation is reasonable too. XIII. Climate During our stay, the weather is quite cold during February and March. I usually wore my long-sleeve shirts beneath the down jacket. However, as told by the local students there, the snowing months are not quite stable in the recent years, so you may have the spring outfit since March or April too. Also, when you travel outside Maastricht, the weather can be quite different across the border. Therefore, remember look up the weather forecasts! XIV. Communication The Maastricht is very close to Germany, therefore many local Dutch people speak nearly-German Dutch as their mother tongue. Yet, most of them could speak fluent English, making communicating with them not a concern at all. Within the school, the teaching medium is English. As the school has a large proportion of exchange stduents, the local Dutch or German students usually communicate in English after classes too.

Part III – Items to bring i) ii) iii) iv) v)

Winter and spring clothings Down jacket Computer Medicine Cash 10  

 

Exchange  Study  Report   in  Maastricht  University  

vi) Credit Card vii) Copy of personal identity documents This is for contingency if you lost the original copies of the identity documents, e.g. passport, HK ID card.

Contact This exchange has been a really fruitful experience of myself. Hope the above help your exchange study abroad too. Please feel free to ask the SBM exchange office for my contact information.

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