maastrichtuniversity)spring)) (fall)2017/2018)) exchange)report) … · 2018-03-12 ·...
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Maastricht University Spring (Fall 2017/2018) Exchange Report BBA in Marketing and Management
Kam Wing Yan
Monthly Activity Log August & September
I arrived at Maastricht in the end of August. After settling down the accommodation, I went to Belgium with a few HKUST schoolmates. After having a good time in Ghent, Leige, Brussels and Antwerp, we went back to Maastricht to go for school.
I also went to Amsterdam with all the HKUST students who studied in Maastricht University. I didn’t stay overnight with them because I would have my first hosting tutorial session after the trip.
In the middle of September, I went to Munich for the October Festival. I also visited the Dachau Concentration Camp to learn German’s dark history in World War II.
October In the beginning of October, I went to Amsterdam again because my HKUST friends who went on an exchange in Norway and Finland came to visit me. After that, I didn’t go on travelling until I finished the exams in period one. The workload of Maastricht University is really heavy. So, I didn’t really have time to travel and study at the same time.
After taking the exam, I went to Switzerland with a few HKUST students and also new friends from HKU and CUHK. We went to the famous snow mountain Jungfrau and the view there was super beautiful. I also checked one of my bucket list item – skydiving at Eiger in Alps.
November I went to Norway in the beginning of November. The Northern part of Europe is a lot colder than other parts of Europe! Moreover, the price of food and everything there was more expensive as well. After that, I didn’t go travelling until the end of November as period two was started and I had to study.
At the end of November, I went to Copenhagen and Sweden by buying the “Around the Sound” ticket. It is highly recommended as you can travel two countries with a reasonable price and the ticket actually includes all transportation costs. As a reminder, please take care of your belongings while travelling. One of my friends’ backpack got opened when she was walking on the street but she didn’t know at all!
December I went to London in the beginning of December. As a Harry Potter fan, I went to the Kings Cross Station to visit the platform 9 ¾. I also visited Winter Wonderland which is a festival place similar to AIA carnival in Hong Kong.
In the second week of December, I went to Paris. I visited Paris Disneyland, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum etc.
After taking the final exams in Maastricht, I went to Barcelona for my last trip in Europe with two friends. We stayed there for Christmas because shops in Barcelona are still opened during that time unlike other places like England, France and German where nearly all shops are closed.
General Exchange Information Visa procedures SBE will send you the detail instruction of applying visa. Make sure you send the documents as soon as possible and don’t leave it until the deadline. Otherwise, you might not get the visa on time. Upon Arrival Although ISN (International Student Network) will provide pick up service, they will not help you buy the train ticket in advance but directly buy at the station. Doing so, you will have to pay around 26 euro. However, you can go online to buy NS group train ticket which is a lot cheaper. NS Group Train ticket (official website): https://www.ns.nl/producten/en/losse-kaartjes/p/groepsticket-daluren To buy group ticket on official website, you will have to have a Dutch bank card. There is also a Facebook group that let people who want to buy group ticket gather together. The Facebook group website is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472379199695327/ Orientation activities As an exchange student, you are required to participate the SBE introduction activities for 2 days which is mandatory. On the first day, you will meet a lot of SBE exchange students from different countries. You will get to know more about the school and Maastricht and they will guide you to the school and the city. You will also get your student ID card and acceptance letter. On the second day, you will have your first trial of having Problem-Based Learning tutorials. International Services & Activities ISN (International Student Network) has some services and activities for the Student including: pickup service from Maastricht train station, orientation dinner and party night. I didn't join but I have heard that those activities aren't that good and also not cheap from other students who joined them. Accommodations Most of the exchange students are living in Student Building which doesn’t belong to Maastricht university but cooperate with the school. I didn’t rent a room there but rent a house with other friends outside. If you would like to find the cheaper option, some apartments are available at the market on Facebook. You might have a look at https://www.facebook.com/groups/116816401678059/ Course Registration There are three periods in total in one semester. The first two periods are for normal academic courses while the last period is optional. If you register the courses that you want before the deadline of each period, you are guaranteed to enroll in those courses. However, if you fail to register courses on time, you will not be put into any courses in that period. So, please make sure that you register courses ON TIME.
Teaching and Assessment Methods Teaching method there is not lecturing but Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Basically you will have tutorials most of the time with few lectures depending on the course. For PBL, you will learn in a very small tutorial class which only has around 15 students. You have to be super well-prepared for the tutorials by pre-reading many academic readings so that you can join the tutorial discussion to earn your participation mark. Sometimes you have to be the discussion leader or tutorial host for a 2-hour tutorial. The attendance is super strict in this university, you can only absent 1 to 3 lessons out of 13 lessons depending on the course or else you have to do the block assignment. Sports & Recreation Facilities You can join sports courses in Student Centre. But I didn’t know much as I didn’t join. The cost seems not cheap. Finance & Banking There are few banks that you can choose in Maastricht but most of the students choose ING Bank because of its low cost and user-friendly mobile APP which you can transfer money to your friends easily. You can go to ING Bank with your passport, student identity proof (e.g. Student ID card/ Exchange acceptance letter) and phone number which is a must to open the account. The procedures will not take you long and you will receive the bank account that directly post to your stated address after a week. PLEASE make an appointment online on ING bank’s official website to open an account. They might not accept you to come to open an account without appointment. Exchange expenses
ITEM HKD$ Air ticket 7113 Visa 3282
Accommodations 12000 Living Expenses 10000 Transportation 1000-2000
Travel 30000 TB Test required by NL Visa Office 444
Total ~65000 Social Clubs & Networking Opportunities As I mention above, ISN (International Student Network) provides some services and activities for exchange students. Health & Safety The insurance bought by the HKUST is valid only if you stay within the Netherlands. If you are planning to travel outside the Netherlands, it is recommended to buy your own travel insurance. The medical expense in Europe is expensive, please make sure that your insurance included the medical expenses.
Food Although Maastricht has good restaurants, eating outside is a bit expensive. Therefore, exchange students normally buy food from supermarket – Aldi (cheapest), Jumbo or AH (most expensive). If you want to cook Asian food, there is an Asian supermarket, 東方行, at the city center. Transportation Normally the people in Maastricht will ride a bike. If you buy a second-hand bike from Facebook, it will cost you around 45-60 euro. Don’t buy a first-hand brand new bike as it will be super expensive. Since I didn’t know how to ride a bike, I take bus to go to school. The cost of taking a bus is around EUR 1.6 with OV Chip Card to go to the edge of city centre from my home. Without this card, it costs 3 euro for one trip. To travel around the Netherlands by NS train, remember to use group ticket system for buying train tickets – buying 10 tickets together as a group is much cheaper. Climate Although you may go there at the end of August, there is no need to bring many summer clothing as it will not be hot. However, it will become cool and cold soon for Autumn and Winter. So, make sure you have bought enough winter clothing. On the other hand, Maastricht is a city that always rains. You can bring umbrella or raincoat. Communication Though the mother language in The Netherlands is Dutch, it is a country with high English proficiency. So, there is no need to worry about communication barrier. Cautionary measures If you decide to buy a bike for your transportation, make sure that you lock your bike well. Otherwise, your bike will be stolen easily. My friend’s bike got stolen within a few days. If you go travelling, don’t ride your bike and lock your bike at the train station. Thieves usually steal bike there! Items to bring - Passport - Visa - Cash - Credit card - Winter clothing (including jackets, jeans, sweaters, t-shirts etc.) - Scarf - Gloves - Socks - Underwear - Hand carry suitcase for short-term travel - Laptop & charger - Phone & charger - Camera & charger - Hair dryer - Medicine - Power plug adapter - Power bank & charger - Extension cord
- USB device - Earphone - Daily skincare products - Business formal (for your online interview) - Umbrella - Water bottle - Stationary
Useful Links SBE Maastricht University https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/faculties/school-business-and-economics Accommodation https://www.sshxl.nl/en https://www.facebook.com/groups/116816401678059/ Buy NS group train ticket https://www.ns.nl/producten/en/losse-kaartjes/p/groepsticket-daluren