Winter Term mobility options: Q & A with students on exchange at Maastricht University

McMaster students Terry Wilson, Soren Meeuwisse, and Jeremy Scudder are currently at Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands with several of their peers from the MSc Global Health program.

The students are participating in a three-month exchange as part of the program’s Winter Term, which prioritizes international experience and experiential learning.

To get a glimpse into their time at UM in the Implementing Innovation on a Global Scale course concentration, they provided us with some insight on their learning objectives and takeaways.

1. Why did you choose to study at Maastricht University?

   

I saw studying at UM as an opportunity to live in a different country, which I love to do, so it was definitely the lure of travel that first caught my attention.  I then questioned myself when I started looking at the course concentrations offered in the Winter Term, as I wanted to make sure that I was finding one that suited me. In one of our information sessions, Academic Coordinator Sonya de Laat, suggested that choosing a track with content that we were less familiar with would challenge us. This is what confirmed my choice to take the Implementing Innovation on a Global Scale at UM. – Wilson

I wanted to maximize the inter-institutional opportunities that the MSc Global Health program offers, and the particular course concentrations at UM were aligned with my interests and career goals. In the many fields of Global Health work, you are constantly challenging your perspectives, comfort zone, and communication skills. To further challenge myself and grow in these ways, I wanted to immerse myself in a new culture and style of learning at UM. –  Meeuwisse

Living on the west coast of Canada in the Fall Term, I felt as though I was a bit isolated from the McMaster community and my fellow classmates. I chose to go on exchange at UM because I wanted to experience living and studying abroad; an experience I had never had before, while also getting to know my fellow peers in a more intimate context. – Scudder

2. Why did you choose the Implementing Innovation on a Global Scale concentration at Maastricht University?

The Fall Term courses in the MSc in Global Health introduced me to many new concepts and harsh realities within the field of global health. Some days felt so disheartening to learn in-depth about health inequities around the world, and I wanted to build upon this knowledge to learn how to make real change in the world.  Therefore, I chose my course concentration to study ethical, sustainable, and practical ways to implement new ideas, practices, and technology in various contexts. As a global health professional, I want to create new opportunities and bring people together towards a common goal, and I know that this track has prepared me for this path. – Meeuwisse

I chose this particular stream, as innovations, whether in the form of ideas or physically tangible technologies, require an understanding of many different aspects of global health.  Applying the theory from my first semester enabled me to be well prepared for my semester at UM.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time and studies at UM, and I feel better prepared for the future of my global health career. – Scudder

3. What is your experience and perspective on learning within transcontinental teams and the opportunity to collaborate with a global network?

My perspective on learning in transcontinental teams is rooted in embracing alternative approaches and understanding differences. This has provided me with time to self-reflect and approach different perspectives with humility and curiosity rather than that one perspective is the right one. – Wilson

The global network of students and faculty between McMaster University and partner institutions at UM, the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Universidad del Rosario has been my first time academically and professionally collaborating with people around the world. While most connection was virtual, I have been so impressed with the learning opportunities and relationships developed. Group projects and problem-based learning are the main methods of teaching, and there were many differences in the perspectives, styles of learning, and backgrounds of students in these transcontinental teamwork environments. I have never before learned so much from my peers! – Meeuwisse

Learning and collaborating with likeminded individuals from different countries in a problem-based learning environment was a great experience as it was conducive to great discussion.  Not only did it simulate working in a global setting, but it was enriching to experience differing perspectives from my own. – Scudder

4. Any unexpected learning opportunities?

As part of the concentration, we were tasked with creating an innovation with a group, and then present the innovation to our peers and a jury of past lecturers.  Although having to defend our innovation was slightly nerve-wracking, it required us to deeply investigate our particular innovation’s context including the economic, socio-political, and global aspects.  As a result of this project, I was able to apply previous course material into a real world context, which was an invaluable learning opportunity. – Scudder

Simply realizing the incredible value of global networking and of global perspectives and knowledge. -Wilson

5. Favourite part of being in the Netherlands?

Too many to find just one favorite. The support of and connections with the wonderful student exchange group and in particular developing a friendship with one of the students from my Foundations 1 tutorial.  And my bike! I love my bike and being able to bike around and get to know this very pretty little European city. – Wilson

My favourite parts of the Netherlands are the stroopwafels, the cobblestone everywhere, the ease of the cycling commuting culture, and how easy it is to explore so many different areas of Europe! – Meeuwisse

The people! Meeting people as passionate as I am about global health issues, including those studying in Maastricht and my fellow exchange students from McMaster, was a highlight. Also, as a regular bike commuter in Canada, it felt natural to be on a bike all the time so you could say I really enjoyed the bike culture in The Netherlands! – Scudder

To learn more about the MSc in Global Health and the Winter Term course concentrations and mobility options  visit this link.