7 facts why studying in the Netherlands is a good decision
While you are considering joining Maastricht School of Management (MSM) for the Full-time MBA or Master in Management program, it might be helpful to know why the Netherlands can be seen as a great study destination.
The Netherlands has an excellent higher education system and is a top non-native English-speaking country where you can enjoy quality education. But there are several other good reasons to choose the Netherlands as your study destination. Let’s have a look at what makes this small country a serious candidate to start your management degree.
1. A bilingual nation that will make you feel at home
Will there be a language barrier? This is an accurate question to ask yourself when moving abroad to study. Good news, the Dutch are ranked #1 in the EF English Proficiency Index of proficient English speakers in the world outside the Anglosphere. Besides many English spoken education programs, it is also very easy to get around your daily life in English. The fact that English is everywhere is also convenient for building your career in the Netherlands after finishing your MBA or Master in Management.
Besides the non-existing language barrier, Dutch cities are filled with international students and expats from many different backgrounds. It is a liberal country and the Dutch are well-known for their open mindedness and directness, which makes it easy to connect with Dutch people and exchange ideas. This makes international students feel welcome in the Netherlands.
2. A country that offers great career prospects
The Netherlands might seem a small country in size, the facts speak differently! According to the European Commission, the Netherlands is one of the leaders in innovation in Europe, (#4 to be precise). Also, the Netherlands has the 17th largest economy in the world with some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell and ING, being Dutch. This economic prosperity offers many opportunities career wise.
3. Unique teaching methods
The Dutch teaching methods are different than in most other countries. Classes have a high level of interactivity and you will be challenged to work in groups. This will help you to develop your multicultural teamwork skills, (inter)personal communication skills, problem solving skills, creative thinking. In addition, there is no barrier to approach your teacher to have discussions or to pose questions, in- and outside the classroom. In fact, it is even very common in the Netherlands to approach your teacher or professor, as it is at MSM.
4. Once graduated you can benefit from an orientation year
Speaking of careers, after finishing your studies in the Netherlands, you are allowed 12 months to look for a job. This is called the “orientation year”, or “zoekjaar” in Dutch. This orientation year will allow Non-EU nationals to live and work in the Netherlands without a work permit.
5. Scholarships
There are plenty of scholarships to choose from to (partly) cover your study costs. These scholarships are either being offered by the institute itself or for example by the Dutch Government. MSM offers several scholarships for privately funded students which can be found here.
6. The Netherlands is in easy reach of all major European cities
The Netherlands is the “gateway to Europe” because of its central location. This makes it easy to travel to countries such as Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and the UK to just name a few. You can take a train or a flight and within a few hours you are in another European country. Tip: as Maastricht is located in the south of the Netherlands, it only takes you 15 minutes to go to Belgium, within 30 minutes you are in Germany and it takes less than 4 hours to go to Paris by train! The excellent infrastructure makes it easy to move around by public transport and see new places while studying in the Netherlands.
7. The Netherlands is one of the happiest countries in the world
Still not convinced that the Netherlands is your ideal study destination? Well, here is one last fact that you need to know about the country. The Netherlands is ranked the world’s sixth happiest country in the latest World Happiness Report. This doesn’t mean that you will be surrounded all day by smiling and cheering Dutchies, but it tells you something about how satisfied they are with their lives in the Netherlands. So why not give it a try and find out for yourself if living in the Netherlands makes you happy?
The con of studying in the Netherlands
Does this sound too good to be true? There is also a con of studying in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, it’s not a country where you can enjoy sunny weather constantly. But hey, every season has its charm. And where can you find a country in which you can enjoy more seasons in one day? Also, as the Dutch are known for constantly talking about the weather, the Dutch weather also provides you with an easy icebreaker to start a conversation.
Now it’s time to think if starting your MBA or Master in Management in the Netherlands is the right choice for you. To give you a first impression of Maastricht we have created a Summer and Winter time video for you watch.
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