Magical Maastricht:
I have just returned from an amazing quarter exchange in the School of Business and Economics at Maastricht University where I was able to do some of my elective courses for my masters in economics. I can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions that I could have made in terms of my personal growth as well as the degree of academic exposure that I received. Here are some of my thoughts about my time overseas.
Pre-departure:
Months before you buckle up for your journey, the notion of traveling commences. As writer Gilbert K. Chesterson once wrote, “They say travel broadens the mind, but you must have the mind.”
Already at the pre-departure phase of the exchange semester, one is confronted by an ocean of options and choices, the first being one’s choice of partner university in the United States of America (USA). I had many to choose from, but eventually elected to attend the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, in the state of Georgia. My choice was mainly based on my interest in the clarinet studio of Dr D Ray McCllelan, clarinet professor at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
Pre- departure:
In making the decision to do a semester exchange (or an exchange of any length) can seem pretty daunting. There is a fair amount of decisions to make at this point already; How long do you want to be on exchange? Which Universities would you like to apply to? What types of funding and learning agreements are available? I spent a fair amount of time reading about the various options on the website of SU International. They give you a pretty good idea of the different types of exchange programs available, the institutions that they have learning agreements and the financial help they can offer. Their two phased application processes is also very well laid out on the website.