Exchange report (Maastricht University)

Transcription

1 Exchange report (Maastricht University) Exchange School: School of Business and Economic, Maastricht University, the Netherlands Zoe HUI BBA in Marketing & Management (2014) If more information is needed, please feel free to get my contact from SBM Exchange Team by ing to

2 Part I Monthly Activity Log August I arrived Maastricht in late August. The flight was landed in Schiphol Airport. Before we go to Maastricht, we spent two days in Amsterdam. Then we took train down to Maastricht. The train from Amsterdam to Maastricht is very frequent, at around 30 minute intervals. The guesthouse where I live is quite close to the train station, yet, as we need to check- in in the main guesthouse which is far away from the train station. Luckily, the ESN offer pick up service to us, so everything is smooth. Orientation day was held after two day of our arrival. September Period one started in September. Apart from spending time to get used to the life in Maastricht, since there are not many workloads from school as it just started, I am busy on planning travel. I have been to Belgium, Spain, Portugal and the Oktoberfest in Munich. It is always good to travel during the start of the period as we are not required to prepare much and the preparation of group project and presentation didn t start.

3 October We all start getting busy in October as we need to handle in report, prepare presentation and also the exam. Therefore, I did not go to travel in October till I finished the exam. It is not suggested to travel after the first month of the period as you will be very busy on preparing exam and project in the second month of the period. Although I did not go to travel a lot then I spend more time staying in Maastricht with friends, we always cook and have meal together. November Period 2 start in November. Same as what I did in period 1, I travel a lot of country during the start of the period. And there is a big carnival in Maastricht. It is very impressive and also funny as people dressed up in special custom and they start the carnival at 11:11, on 11 November, and it will last till the evening.

4 December Since the deadline of project, presentation and exam are approaching, same as period one, I stayed in Maastricht to prepare them. As the Christmas is approaching, there was a Christmas market in the square, which can let you enjoy the atmosphere. Also, there is a festival called Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Feast), people will be given a chocolate of the first letter of their name as a gift. After the exam, I start my one-month journey till mid-january. Part II General Exchange Information Visa Procedures HKSAR passport holders are required to apply for Visa for exchange study in the Netherlands. Maastricht University s International Relations Office (IRO)will help you with the application procedure. Please check your UM frequently as Maastricht University will ask you to send required documents so they can help you to apply the student visa. Just follow their instruction and I am sure that you will have the student visa done very smoothly. Orientation Activities The orientation day will last for two day. The SBE will provide some information and then we are divided into group and assigned to a peer mentor. You will get to know what is PBL and walk around in the city. International Services and Activities If you have any problem, you can seek help from IRO (International Relationship Office). For social gathering and activities, ESN

5 (Exchange Student Network) will organize several of it, such as Every Tuesday Party and pick-up service. Accommodations I lived in the guesthouse (Heugemerweg) offered by Maastricht Housing, but the guesthouse is not located in the main guesthouse. It is located near the train station and the rent is the cheapest. There are two supermarkets(albert Heijn and Lidl) near the guesthouse. Walking distance to SBE is about 25-min walk or 10 min bike, to city center about 15-min walk or 5-min bike. Course Registration There is no quota and time-conflict for the course as they are tutorial-based. In every period, you can enroll up to two subjects. It is very easy to use the system to enroll course, just enroll the two courses you want to take in the period then just wait for the timetable released. Teaching & Assessment Methods The school adopts Problem Based Learning, so students are expected to prepare on their own, read the required article and discuss the topic actively with classmates during the tutorial. I have taken the several courses shown as below: EBC 2032 Schooling and Organization This course is very interesting as it talks about how people acquire knowledge and how can organization improve learning within the organization. There are exam, poster presentation and report. Although the workload is not that light,the passing rate is very high. EBC 2062 Brand Management This course is a marketing elective. Apart from exam, we are required to work on a project. The project is usually a case-study provided by a company. For us, we are asked to provide suggestion to an insurance company to promote their MPF scheme to targeted customers. Passing rate is not that high and workload is quite heavy.

6 EBC 2063 Strategic Marketing A marketing elective course. There is no exam but only a group project. Same as Brand Management, we are required to provide solution to an insurance company for their MPF scheme. EBC 2147 Social & Environmental Entrepreneurship This course talks about a new issue which is gaining concern currently. Apart from exam, we are asked to contact a social or environmental entrepreneur to dig out the story, then write a case-study and writing note. Sports & Recreation Facilities In the main guesthouse, there are some facilities for recreation. There is gym in the city which the peer mentor will tell you the location in the orientation day. Cost/Expenses (in HKD) Air ticket 8000 Accommodation Food and Grocery Visa Application Fee 4000 Travel Total Social Clubs & Network opportunities As mentioned before, ESN will organize international party on every Tuesday. Also, my dorm mate in guesthouse will organize party in weekend. Health & Safety Maastricht is a very safe city, people in Maastricht is very helpful and willing to help exchange student. There is not many clinic and pharmacy in Maastricht, and it is quite inconvenient to see doctor as you need to make appointment, s I would recommend you to bring some medicine with you.

7 Food I usually buy ingredients from supermarket and cook on my own. You can also buy some Chinese stuff from the Oriental ( 東方行 ) in the city center. There are some good restaurants in the market. Transportation Maastricht is a small city, people usually walk or bike. There are also several bus routes but it is quite expensive. To travel around Europe, you can choose train, bus or flight. If you choose to take budget airline (mainly Ryanair), it usually departs from Brussels Charleroi Airport. You can take the train from Maastricht to Charleroi-SUD, then take the bus Line A to the airport. If the price of flight is similar to train, it is recommended to take the train as you do not need to spend more on transportation from airport to city center. Climate When I arrived Maastricht in late August, it is just like summer, and I wore short-sleeve T-shirt. Winter came in November but it is still very warm compared to other countries in Europe. Just keep in mind that climate in different countries around Europe differ a lot so bring a jacket with you when you are on travel. Communication Local people speak fluent English, so there is no problem in communication in daily life. Part III Items to Bring Clothing (not too much if you will buy many in Europe) Cash Credit Card Adapter Copy of Identity (HKID Card and HK Passport) Computer Medicine USB potable charger

8 Contact This exchange is an unforgettable experience to me and broadens my horizons. If you would like to seek more information, please feel free to ask SBM exchange team for my contact.