Adapting to Problem-Based Learning

Studying abroad through the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) at Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands was absolutely the highlight of my university career. I got to experience Dutch culture, travel to parts of Europe that I’ve never been to before and make friends and build relationships with people from all over the world.

That being said; however, studying at UM did require some time, patience, and effort as the academic system there is quite different from the typical system in the US. At my home university, you would typically take four to five different classes where the professor would give lectures and you would read the textbook, give some presentations and/or write papers, then take a final exam. At UM, the semester is split into two 8-week periods where you will usually take two classes per period. The university also runs on the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method where there are small class sizes and a structured pre and post discussion each class. With this system of learning, the students are the main drivers of their own education, requiring more time to read, study, and prepare for the class discussions. Additionally, there are higher standards for class attendance and, in some cases, your final grade will be solely based on the final exam.

You can learn more about how the PBL method works here.

I knew some things about the way academics worked at UM going into my study abroad semester and was quite anxious about it at first. However, my anxiety was unfounded because the coordinators and staff at the Center for European Studies (CES) gave orientations and mock classes to help us become familiar with the way things worked. And depending on your program of study and which faculty you’re placed in, you may receive additional guidance on PBL as well.

If I were to do my semester over again, there are three things that I would have done to better prepare myself for PBL.

1. Speak Up and Dive In

The quality of the discussions is based on the quality of participation of the class. Being on the more introverted side, it took me a few classes to fully participate, but I wish I had just put out my contributions from the get go. While it helps to have the orientations and mock classes, you only can truly grasp PBL when you’re fully engaged and participating in the real thing. And I realized that if my understanding of the materials were off or something was unclear, my classmates and the tutor (the UM staff guiding the class) would happily help make things clear or weave the class into the right direction.

2. Don’t Procrastinate

With all the traveling, exploring, social outings and nights out, it can be really easy to let your studies get away from you. Studying abroad at Maastricht University means a little extra emphasis on the ‘study’ aspect of the journey. And with the PBL system, it’s you might want to develop decent study habits and self-discipline prior to your arrival as the 8-week periods will fly-by and before you know it, you’ll be taking your last final exam and packing for your flight home!

3. It’s Okay to Say “No”

As mentioned above, you’ll want to do everything and see everything during your time abroad. A lot of my friends had trips planned every weekend until the final weekend of the semester once our schedules were out. While this my work out for some people, for myself, I knew it wouldn’t work. Your time is limited during your semester or year abroad (even though it might not feel like it at first) and it’s okay to pass on a trip or a night out if you feel it will get in the way of your responsibilities. If you feel like you’re the type who can push through it and jet off all the time, then more power to you! I just knew that, for me, it just wouldn’t work out well, and that’s completely okay too!