Hi there!
I’m Max. I’m 20, halfway through my second year of Business Engineering, and, yes, I already made the classic “wrong degree” detour. I first started in Economics and Business Economics at UM, realised it wasn’t for me, and switched. So if you’re panicking about choosing the “perfect” programme straight away, don’t.
I’m originally from Australia, but I’ve also lived in Canada, the UK, Saudi Arabia and now the Netherlands. Basically, my childhood was one big game of international hopscotch. I think all that moving around is why I love learning about different cultures. When I’m not buried in assignments, you’ll probably find me outdoors trying to “make the most of it.” That means anything from hiking, exploring new random places or playing basketball until my legs give up.
After a year and a half in Maastricht, I’ve made plenty of rookie mistakes, so you don’t have to. Here are a few things I really wish someone had told me before moving here.
Download Buienradar. Trust me.
If you think the weather app on your phone can handle Dutch weather, you’re in for a surprise. I can’t count how many times I checked the regular forecast, hopped on my bike confident I’d stay dry, and ended up looking like a drowned rat by the time I reached class. The rain here has a sixth sense for ambushing you.
Enter Buienradar: the app that actually tells you when it’s about to pour. It’s a life-saver. With it, you can time your 10-minute bike rides between rain showers instead of just accepting your fate.
Milk the resources at Uni for all they’ve got
In my first year, I had no clue how many free opportunities the university throws at us. I thought “student resources” meant library access and maybe a dusty career website. Turns out, as a UM student, they have way more to offer:
- Workshops on how not to sound like a robot during presentations
- CV checks that make you look more impressive than you feel
- Events like Maastricht Business Days, where you can literally chat with recruiters from big-name companies
Also, if you’re struggling with stress or mental health, they have student counsellors and psychologists you can actually talk to. Don’t wait a year like I did to figure all this out. Use the resources. Future you will thank you.
Treat your free days like gold
Another lesson I’ve learned the hard way: your days off are precious. Between classes, group projects and trying to have some sort of social life, it’s easy to forget how to relax.
On my rest days, I like to do whatever makes me feel like a human again. Sometimes that’s a walk up Sint Pietersberg, sometimes it’s sitting in the park doing absolutely nothing, or reading a book.
When you move to a new city, especially in your first months, you feel like you should be doing something all the time. But seriously, give yourself permission to slow down.
