By Ella Rutherford

It’s hard to believe I’ve already been overseas for four months. Time has flown by, and I’m genuinely having the time of my life. My exchange in Maastricht has been nothing short of incredible, and I feel so lucky to be living and studying in such a beautiful and vibrant city.

Life here is wonderfully relaxed. Each week, I find joy in simple things like biking through the city, browsing the markets for fresh produce, grabbing lunch in the park, or strolling by the river. Maastricht has this charming, laid-back energy that makes every day feel special. My bike is my primary mode of transport, which has not only been super fun but also a great way to explore the city. The Dutch definitely have cycling down to a fine art. I’m constantly being overtaken by locals zooming past effortlessly!

One of my favourite features of the city is the river that runs through it, lined with beautiful old buildings and lush green parks. Since I live on the opposite side of the river from the university, I get to bike across the bridge daily, and honestly, it never gets old. The University College Maastricht campus is housed in a historic monastery, and the lecture hall is a stunning old chapel complete with stained glass windows. It’s honestly the prettiest place I’ve ever studied and makes attending lectures feel a little more magical.

A standout memory so far has been experiencing Carnival—a huge cultural celebration in Maastricht. The city came alive for three whole days with colourful costumes, lively parades, and upbeat music. It was such a fun and unique tradition to be a part of and definitely one of the highlights of my time here.

Being based in the Netherlands means travel is super accessible. I’ve taken weekend trips to Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris, and Brussels. With friends, I also explored Edinburgh, Dublin, and Galway—thanks to budget-friendly Ryanair flights! Galway, in particular, was a favourite. It’s a quaint coastal city with fantastic live music and a warm, friendly vibe.

More recently, I checked off a huge bucket list item: seeing the Northern Lights during a trip to Iceland. Iceland was a niche and expensive destination, but absolutely worth it—it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I still have a few months left on my exchange, and while I’m excited for what’s ahead, I also wish time would slow down a little. I’m loving every moment of this adventure and feel so grateful to be living and studying abroad. This experience has truly been life-changing.