I’m still learning about a lot of this myself and don’t really know anything about the programs themselves, except that: The Dutch think most of their university programs are at about the same level; the Dutch are skeptical about whether a university college education is good for getting a job; and the Dutch admissions offices are disorganized and hard to deal with.
If your daughter starts applying to Dutch schools, have her take a screen shot of any screen that contains a promise, or an indication that she submitted some required information or attachment.
Anyhow, based solely on me passing by the towns, as a tourist:
Groenigen: To me, honestly, it seemed small, out-of-the-way and rough.
Maastricht: If your daughter wants the cheapest housing, easier access to Belgian food, and a quieter way of life that some Dutch university students might find a little dull. My guess is that this is the program where the overall experience is most like the experience in a good U.S. liberal arts colllege.
Utrecht: If she wants moderate housing costs and a pretty, lively city that’s easier to handle than Amsterdam.
The Hague: If she’d love to try to get internships with the Dutch government or international businesses, or if her idea of a good time would be to take the train to the beach. (Katwijk.) To me, The Hague feels more down-to-earth than a lot of the rest of the Netherlands. It’s a little lived-in without feeling menacing.
