Netherlands | Maastricht
This summer program offers students in any major the opportunity to develop awareness of cultural differences between the Netherlands, various European cultures, and the US.
The Netherlands is centrally located between England, France, Belgium, and Germany. The city of Maastricht lies at the southernmost tip of the Netherlands near the Belgian and German borders. The official language is Dutch, but nearly everyone in Maastricht can speak English. Students attend Maastricht University, one of the Netherlands’ youngest universities. About one-third of the 13,000 students enrolled at the University are from outside of the Netherlands.
There is a mandatory set of pre-departure orientations at Lebanon Valley College for all students planning to participate in the program.
Program Details
Program cost for Summer 2026 is estimated at $5,050 and will include:
- Tuition (6 credits)
- Shared housing in a dormitory
- Excursions to different public-school settings, 1-2 museum trips, and Antwerp
- Books for the Intercultural Communication Course
- In-country airport transportation
- Foreign medical insurance
Study abroad grant funding is available based on eligibility. In addition, this program may be eligible for limited financial aid. Please read the 2025–26 Summer Financial Aid Application instructions on the Financial Aid website for additional information and submit an application to the Financial Aid Office.
- Program Dates: May 9–June 6, 2026
- Application deadline: February 1.
- $200 program deposit is due with acceptance (non-refundable after February 1).
- Remaining balance is due by March 15.
Students will earn a total of six credits and fulfill one Immersive Experience (IME) requirement through a mandatory course instructed by an LVC faculty director, and an elective course taught by the host university.
MANDATORY COURSE: Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
This course is designed to make you aware of the variety of cultural values in today’s world and help you compare your own cultural background with that of various European cultures. Fulfills the IC general education requirement or an elective.
ELECTIVE COURSE:
EDU 390: A Comparative Study in Education (3 credits)
Instructor: Susan Weiss
Students will develop an awareness of cultural, environmental, economic, educational, and religious differences between the Netherlands and the US. The approach of the course is one of immersion, comparison, appreciation, personal growth, and reflection.
Prerequisites:
- Students from any major who are in good social and academic standing with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA may apply.
Students are housed in the Maastricht University Guesthouse in double rooms with private kitchens. Showers and toilets are shared. Students are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own food. All rooms offer wireless Internet access, so students are encouraged to bring a laptop if available. Additional amenities include free washing facilities, free tennis/basketball facilities, and free bed linens.
In addition to a tour of Maastricht, the program includes a study trip to Antwerp, museum visits, and public-school visits. Students will have the opportunity to explore central Europe on the weekends.