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Jenna Varley - The Netherlands
Name: Jenna Varley
Country: Psychology at the University of Maastricht in The Netherlands
Enrolled Institution: James Cook University
What was it like living in The Netherlands?
It was easy to get used to the lifestyle and English is widely spoken in The Netherlands. The cost of living is comparable to Cairns. In the guesthouse accommodation, I met many people who were in the same situation as me, these friendships helped with the initial homesickness. Maastricht is a beautiful town and is also very close to Germany, Belgium and France so travelling is easy.
It started snowing in December; I had never even seen snow before, so it was a bit difficult getting used to the cold!
What were the most rewarding aspects of your exchange experience?
The most rewarding aspect was gaining insight on a different way of living. A great majority of the students at James Cook University (JCU) Cairns are mature age, however most of the people I studied with in The Netherlands were within my age group I also got to live with and get to know people from all over the world, including France, Italy, Hungary, Taiwan, the USA, Canada and England. .This experience gave me the opportunity to study under some world-renowned professors who are experts in neuroimaging and neuroscience.
Did you experience any difficulties?
The most difficult thing was missing family and friends back home. It was the most intense when I first arrived in Maastricht, as I did not know anyone, however it did not take long to meet people. The courses at university were of a high standard which was quite challenging, but if you put in the effort it's not impossible to get good grades.
How was the Host institution?
The facilities at the University of Maastricht were fantastic. The
library was very advanced and modern.