“I met some of my closest friends through the alumni circle in Paris”
Sophie Quesnel graduated from the bachelor’s programme European Studies in 2010. She also took some Arts and Culture classes when it was still called a “free Bachelor” because she wanted to explore European integration from a cultural point of view.
"My time in Maastricht was an amazing and very unique time that definitely shaped my personality and my professional career. I built lifelong friendships, experienced a 3-years rollercoaster of intense studying and socializing (and partying, I must admit), met very interesting people from all over the world and acquired decisive skills through PBL. It was challenging and it definitely gave me a strong basis on which to build my adult life."
Her student life was a mix of cycling, friends, studying, homemade dinners, house parties, Albert Heijn and PBL: "I have the feeling that half of my days were spent in the library or at university, and the other half was spent meeting up with people in cafés, parks, for day trips or at home. It was a very protected and cosy environment, with everything within reach and many opportunities to explore, things to discover."
Alumni circle Paris
She met some of her closest friends through the Alumni circle in Paris: ‘The fact that we studied in the same, very unique environment certainly contributed to the fact that we bonded very quickly. We already shared memories and interests. It also really brought a new dimension to my Parisian life (I grew up in this city) and connected it to my experience in Maastricht."
The alumni circle in Paris started out with drinks and later on she contributed to the UM Star Lectures. According to Sophie, this was a great experience. She states that they also wanted to organise cultural visits and wine-tastings. But COVID came along and it came to a screeching halt. She states that the alumni circle hopes to do more in 2022. "Our last gathering last fall was a great success with many new faces and everybody was very eager to keep meeting up. We have to organise something in the coming months."
Lastly, Sophie says that the alumni circles are a great opportunity to meet new people and to make friends in a big city: "It helps getting settled - I really witnessed it with friends. We share similar experiences and memories, and yet we all come from different backgrounds, work in very different areas. It is very interesting and it is a very good place to extend your network. I finally really believe that it helps us keep in touch with Maastricht and everything that we experienced there. It is very important because it all goes away so fast and yet it brought us so much."
"So one tip: get in touch with alumni in your city!"