I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece, where I spent the first 20 years of my life. It is a Mediterranean city that shaped much of who I am through family, education, friendships, and everyday life. Over the past seven years, however, my academic and personal journey has taken me across Europe, through Erasmus studies in Norway, a traineeship in Austria, extended stays in Germany, postgraduate studies in Finland, and now doctoral research in Finland. Along this path, my experience with the YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) alliance has been particularly meaningful.
A key milestone in this journey was completing a YUFE Minor in Urban Sustainable Development at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. At the time, I was pursuing a master’s degree in Finland and chose to spend a semester abroad through YUFE. It was a deliberate decision aimed at strengthening my academic profile, broadening my perspective, and gaining practical experience in sustainability and public policy.
A Different Way of Learning at Maastricht University
Arriving at Maastricht University, I immediately encountered a different academic environment. The university’s problem-based learning approach, based on small, interactive tutorial groups, was quite different from my previous study experiences in Finland. It required me to participate more actively in discussions, articulate my arguments clearly, and engage in structured academic debate. Over time, this helped me significantly develop my communication and public speaking skills.
At the same time, YUFE allowed me to design a flexible and personalised study path at Maastricht University. With a background in law and a growing focus on social sciences, I was able to choose courses aligned with my interests in politics, society, and sustainability. One course in particular, The Social Scientific Study of Environmental Problems, became especially influential in shaping my understanding of environmental and policy challenges.
Learning Beyond the Classroom: The YUFE Challenge
A defining element of the YUFE Minor at Maastricht University was the “Challenge”, which connects students with real-world societal issues in collaboration with academic supervisors and external partners.
In my case, I worked with a sustainability researcher at Maastricht University and the Municipality of Maastricht on a local energy transition project. The focus was on evaluating the municipality’s use of energy coaches in supporting neighbourhood-level sustainability initiatives.
Through this Challenge, I conducted stakeholder interviews, carried out literature research, and developed concrete policy recommendations. It was my first experience engaging so directly with real policy-making processes, and it helped me understand how academic knowledge can be translated into practical solutions.
Impact on My Career Path
This experience at Maastricht University had a direct impact on my professional development. After completing my master’s degree, I began working as a Project Officer at an energy cooperative in Greece. In this role, I coordinated collaboration with municipalities and local actors responsibilities where I frequently drew on the experience gained during the YUFE Challenge.
Even now, as I pursue my PhD in Finland, I continue to rely on both the academic and practical skills I developed during my time at Maastricht University. My supervisors have also recognised the value of this experience, particularly in relation to my work on sustainability, energy transition, and policy research.
Living Across Europe
Beyond academic life, living in different European countries has deeply shaped my understanding of cultural diversity. Moving to Finland, for example, meant adapting to a very different social and cultural environment, including traditions such as the Finnish sauna, which plays an important role in everyday life and national identity.
At first, these differences, from climate and communication styles to daily social norms, were challenging. Over time, however, they became an essential part of how I learned to navigate and appreciate European diversity.
A Broader Reflection
I see European education as a space where diversity becomes a strength. My experiences across countries, universities, and cultures have shown me how much can be learned from engaging with different perspectives.
At a time when Europe faces increasing political tensions and questions about unity, I believe experiences like mine highlight the importance of programmes such as YUFE. They demonstrate how education can connect people across borders and prepare students not only for their careers, but also for active participation in a shared European future.
Maria Bellou, YUFE Alumna
University of Eastern Finland
