On 1st of February, the euro became the sole legal tender in Bulgaria. However, there have been many speculations as to what pushed this change, what does this entail for the Bulgarian people and who is benefiting the most. Join us as we delve into these topics with 6 experts in their respective fields. 

🎧Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Throughout the episode you will hear: 

👤Svetoslav Malinov, Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy

👤 Denitza Vidolova, Project Coordinator at Sofia Platform

👤 Sophia Kleinsasser, Fundraising Officer at the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

👤 Kremena Chobanova, Deputy Executive Director at Transparency International Bulgaria

👤 Ivan Vailev, Founder of The Balkan Heritage Foundation 

👤 Maria Pavliva, Communications Director at Transparency International Bulgaria 

Interviewer: Clémence MEALLONNIER       

Podcast producer: Raquel UREÑA 

We would like to thank the UNSA External Relations team for making this study trip possible and connecting us with our interviewees. It truly was a wonderful experience to be part of this trip. 

#bulgaria #eurozone #europeaneconomic #maastrichtdiplomat #interviews 

In this episode of our Portrait Series, we sit down with Rebeca Arguedas, President of UFS and a prominent voice in sustainability in the facility management sector. Interviewed by Clara Ledoux, Rebeca walks us through her journey as a Latin-American woman in a field traditionally dominated by men and explores how intersectionality shapes our ideals and opportunities. 

Recorded on the 20.03.2025

Credits

Interviewer: Clara Ledoux

As a Maastricht Diplomat alumni and journalism student, French-Lankan Jonathan Wijayaratne has a unique view on the world. In this episode they talk with Fin Gerke about their journey from European Studies to journalism, the state of journalism and media in Europe, and their roots living in many cultures and countries. 

Recorded on the 20.02.2025

Credits

Producer and interviewer: Fin Gerke (@finenomenon)

Happy #UNDay 2024! Today marks the 79th anniversary of the United Nations—79 years of navigating global crises and challenges. One issue, however, stands out today: climate change.

To commemorate this day, we interviewed Dr. Sanae Okamoto from UNU-MERIT—a COP veteran and former private sector mentor turned researcher. She shares her insights on the intersection of climate change and mental health.

This podcast is a collaboration between The Maastricht Diplomat, UNSA Maastricht, UNU-MERIT, and the United Nations University. It is also the first episode in our new portrait series, where we will interview inspiring people from all walks of life and all over the world to bring you the best insight into their fascinating lives and opinions.

Credits:

Interviewer: Sarah Hourquet (@sarah_hrat)

Research & Production: Mercure Libbrecht Gourdet (@mercurelibbrechtgourdet)

Production & Audio Technician: Raquel Ureña (@raquiarguedas)

Bauhaus is one of the most influential art and design movements of these days. Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer are all prominent and common names – but what about Marianne Brandt, Lilly Reich, Gunta Stölzl, and many more?

These women are mostly remembered as wives and assistants but not for their significant contributions to the Bauhaus movement.

This episode by Lenja Charlotte Burmeister (@lenjacharlotte) will dive into the role of women at the Bauhaus school, especially highlighting their significant influence and position at the school and outlining the most important principles, beliefs, and history of the Bauhaus school. 

We're back for season 2! Charelle and Brendan are excited to share that they are back for a new season of Understanding Europe with a three part series on Democracy Promotion in the EU. Go over and have a listen!

Understanding Europe - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cerim

Are all South American countries the same? In the final episode of our podcast series “One Month Abroad” hosted by @lee.ann.l, Anthi and Sophia tell us about their intercultural experiences in Colombia and Uruguay. They highlight the vibrant culture of both countries, ranging from street vendors to dancing, but also talk about stereotypes commonly held about the South American continent. For more insights into living abroad for a month, check out episodes 1 and 2 of the series!

In the second episode of our podcast series “One Month Abroad”, our host @lee.ann.l interviews Lotte and Lily who conducted field research in Cyprus and Mozambique. How does your positionality affect research and life abroad? How is a field study different from an Erasmus exchange? Check out this episode to learn the answers to such questions and discover our guest speakers’ insights on intercultural experiences. Also, don’t forget to keep an eye out for next week’s episode!

In the Maastricht Diplomat’s new podcast series “One Month Abroad”, our host @lee.ann.l interviews five guest speakers who spent one month abroad for a field study. The three episodes discuss what it is like to live for one month in a different country and what challenges and joys are connected to intercultural experiences. In this first episode, our guests Sophia and Jakob talk about their experiences in Uruguay and Thailand. Stay tuned for the next two episodes, where the series will take you to Cyprus, Mozambique and Colombia!

A trip to the hospital after a bike accident and moving to the Netherlands from the US. In this episode we explore the Dutch healthcare system from an EU and non-EU perspective, hear from the experiences of Fin and Sophie, and find out what you should know and do before you need to engage with the system. 

If you want to know more, here you can find resources that might help you:

General information about healthcare in Maastricht: https://mymaastricht.nl/health/ 

Information about compulsory insurance in the netherlands from Maastricht University: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/during-your-studies/money-matters/compulsory-health-insurance 

Get assistance from the international student helpdesk: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/during-your-studies/international-students-while-maastricht/international-student-helpdesk 

Wandering if you need to see a doctor? Check out https://moetiknaardedokter.nl/en/

Emergency on university grounds? Call 0031 433875566

Need acute help but your GP is closed? Call the GPs' emergency post at Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+) https://www.mumc.nl/huisartsenspoedpost-maastricht-en-heuvelland

Don’t know how severe your symptoms are? Check at: https://moetiknaardedokter.nl/en/

More information on the EHIC: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=en&intPageId=1747

Apply for a EHIC with Dutch health insurance: https://www.hetcak.nl/en/healthcare-abroad/ehic/