Studying abroad in Europe in the Fall - need some advice!

Ballerina shoes are huge over here in Germany, which are easy to pack and can be dressy. They are in every shoe store and price range, so you can get a pair here if you want. I imagine Holland is similar.

Jessie,

Definitely take at least one pair of jeans. Europeans love jeans, but tehy are different than many of the US jeans. They have a modern cut, no elastic band.
A pair of flats are dressy enough for a night out.

How long will you be on exchange? For a full semester? If so I would consider bringing more than just a carry on, you will get sick of your clothes. You can find somewhere to store it, if you make friends there you might even be able to ask one of them to hold it while you travel.

The shoes you are bringing are ok, but for sure either buy or bring some nicer shoes, they don't have to be heels, but nice shoes are a must. Bring some dressier clothing for nice dinners out with friends, partying/dancing etc, there will be a lot of that while on exchange. Bring or buy jeans, its the student uniform across the world I've found, and you can dress them up or down as long as they fit properly and are a dark wash.

Jeans definitely and a pair of black pants. I think your rain and fleece jackets will be fine. You might want a knit hat & pair of gloves. You will be colder in Europe since you live in Louisiana. I agree with the black flats/ballerina shoes. You might want a pair of black leggings/tights. See other topics in this forum for additional info. Have fun!

I'm with Vanessa! Bring more than a carry on. You will miss having a variety of things to choose from. If you wear jeans in the US bring them to Europe. You will find out how others wash theirs.

Thanks to all that have replied so far - just to clarify, I'm bringing two suitcases as well as a bag...I only need to live out of a bag for the last month, since I'll be traveling extensively. The suitcases will stay in Maastricht.

Your going to have such a great time! I got back from my exchange two months ago today and am still going through withdrawls and would give anything to go back.

Don't pack your suitcases full, leave some room to bring back anything new you purchase. Also I'd suggest bringing a jar of Peanut Butter if your a fan, they have PB in the neatherlands but its different that the kind were used to. We found our European friends to be interested in the foods that we normally eat, and "treated" them to the wonders of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and other goodies, I'd suggest throwing in a few of your favorite north american cusine favorites if you can pack them. If you use stick deoderent, bring that too, all I was able to find was Roll On and Spray styles.

Also knowing you'll have the room, I'd bring a nice, warm peacoat. That can take you a lot of places. When I was on my exchange I used the Rick Steves carry on backpack, it was great, lightweight and had no problems bringing it on board any flights including Ryan Air and Easy Jet. A lot of students though just used their school backpacks and managed just fine.

I'll bet Maastrict will get much colder than you are used to. Good suggestion for a peacoat. You might want more shoes - my daughter was in France for the year and she definitely got a lot of use out of her black boots. She wore them with her jeans and also with dresses & skirts. Yes, she dressed up considerably more than she does here but not sure if that is just France. There were though, as has been said, LOTS of opportunities to go out "clubbing". And for that you will want cute clothes. Good advice to buy some of that there. She bought lots of clothes and it was much easier to find the more inexpensive places to shop when she was living there than when you are just passing through. She had 2 large suitcases and one carryon size suitcase with her purse & laptop in it.

She also had the best time and you will too!