you shouldn't have a problem exporting it as a 3DS object file. I think you're lucky to be getting exposeure to both applications. Maya is a fantastic animation tool, emtremly powerful and has some amazing features for both modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering.
If you find the class really slow then work through the maya helpfile tutorials it will keep you busy till things pickup. One of the many advices I have recieved is you can;t specialise in everything but many modellers and animators have found it easier to find work because they could work in either maya or max, some even had to learn lightwave.
basically whatever will help pay the bills, just do
