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Meet Sophie Kells of CES Maastricht

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Kells.

Sophie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Center for European Studies at Maastricht University prides itself on providing the best possible European study abroad experiences inside and outside the classroom.

For more than 25 years, CES has been organizing comprehensive, English language study abroad programmes for international students. We partner with Universities and Colleges around the world, with the majority of our students coming from the United States.

One of our newest partners is the University of Southern California (USC). The response from the first USC students was so great that the partnership flourished quickly and they will now be sending 24 students to study in the Netherlands with CES Maastricht in Spring 2018.

So what do we provide that is so enticing?

Whether you are looking for an international job, a more rounded education, or an adventure in Europe, study abroad is an unforgettable experience. The Center for European Studies (CES) at Maastricht University invites you to discover Europe. Learn about history in the places where it happened. Share in the excitement of the “European experiment” by visiting European Union institutions. Develop cultural sensitivity and become more cosmopolitan at the most international university in the Netherlands. Give yourself an international profile that will advance your education, your career and your identity.

Live in a vibrant, beautiful, safe European town – 2000 year-old Maastricht has cobblestone streets, romantic squares, and lively festivals throughout the year. It is small enough to make your own, but big enough to stay interesting.

Maastricht is your gateway to Europe – Maastricht is conveniently located in the heart of Europe with major capitals such as Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and London only a short train ride away.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
With fluctuating student numbers and competition growing by the day, CES Maastricht has had to continuously change and adapt their programmes to entice students to come abroad.

Getting students to look beyond capital cities has had its challenges.

Maastricht doesn’t have the name recognition that Amsterdam or Barcelona do, so we really have to impress our students when they are here so that they spread the word when they get back home.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about CES Maastricht – what should we know?
Maastricht University – the most international University in the Netherlands, offering excellent classes in English.

International classroom – imagine an International Relations class with students from Rwanda, Iraq and Germany sharing in the conversation.

Learn in small, highly interactive groups – Maastricht University uses the acclaimed Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system.

Discover Europe within the context of your education – CES programmes incorporate multiple-day study trips and field trips to companies, NGO’s and government institutions.

Extracurricular activities – enrich your study abroad experience with volunteer opportunities, sports, free academic lectures and immersion into Dutch society.

You are never just a number – we know each student by name and we are available 24/7 for questions and guidance.

The team at CES all play their own role in our success.

From attending fairs in the states, advising students on course choices, booking unique and relevant study tours and fields trips, to being there for our students when they are homesick. Each staff member has their own skill set and expertise which all contribute to our mission of providing the best possible European study abroad experiences inside and outside the classroom.

Pricing:

  • Study abroad in Maastricht for a semester for € 7,900
  • Study abroad for the summer from €1150 (for a single course) – €5450 (Including the Western Study Tour and course)

Contact Info:


Image Credit:

Michelle Wen
Aaron Nijs
Madison Etherington

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