The Most Rewarding Four Months of My Life: Studying Abroad in Salzburg Past Review
By Hannah S (Economics., Grove City College) for
AIFS: Salzburg - University of Salzburg
I really couldn't imagine a better experience abroad. This was my first time traveling outside of the US, and I was able to visit ten European countries over the four months I was there. For the first time, I lived in another culture and was forced to recognize some of my own societal assumptions, biases, and preferences. I absolutely want to go back, to work or live in Europe for at least a little while, and to travel to places I didn't visit yet! My time there also made a difference in my awareness of how others think about themselves, their countries, and my country, so my global perspective was massively impacted. There are some things that I believe only travel can teach you.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The European model of university level education is much more independent than American style. Professors expect you to be responsible for deadlines without them bringing it up after the first time, and this is fine once you realize that's the way things work. The grading is also different, much stricter in general, but the Austrian professors make an effort to translate to American college type grades for us. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
AIFS achieved the perfect balance of providing support, orientation information, and awesome excursions while not being overly involved or hovering. The staff at the Salzburg office were available and accessible, but didn't hold your hand the whole time and prevent you from being independent and learning some things from experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a private home in a beautiful quiet neighborhood in sight of the Alps 2 minutes walk from the nearest grocery store and bus stop, and 15 minutes walk into the middle of the city. I lived with two other girls in the program, but had my own room along with full use of the kitchen and pay-per-use laundry right downstairs. My hostess "Austrian grandmother" was wonderful. She was enthusiastic to help with my beginning language-skills by listening, correcting, and always speaking German to me - a huge source of growth for my language competency and providing a great personal connection with her. |
| * Food: |
Austrian food is delicious. I cooked a lot of my own food as well, and saved a bunch of money this way besides having the fun of negotiating grocery stores in another language! Restaurants are expensive but fun for a special occasion. The omnipresent sausage stand are a delicious, good priced choice anytime too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
AIFS arranged a sleigh ride for us into the mountains on Valentine's day, complete with home-made dinner in an alpine lodge, trips to Innsbruck and Vienna (the huge and culturally magnificent capital city) and free sampling excursions to a sausage stand and a cafe in Salzburg. While we were in Salzburg it came time for "The Butcher's Leap" a pretty fantastic local tradition and quite the ceremony to watch. Overall, Salzburg is just steeped in history, culture, and beautiful sights! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I couldn't believe how safe and comfortable Salzburg felt. Walking around, going running, traveling by bus or taxi, anytime of the day or night as long as I was smart about it I never felt unsafe at all. It was great to live in such a non-threatening, relaxed city environment. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Almost everyone in Salzburg speaks some English, but great places to practice German include grocery stores, restaurants, train station, shops and cafes, etc. The best thing for improving language skills is really to speak the new language as much as possible, with friends, with locals, in class. Avoid speaking English, listen to what's going on around you, and you will improve amazingly out of necessity! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Absolutely take this opportunity. Going on the trip was one of the best decisions of my life. This trip is for those hoping to live in a beautiful, centrally located, and lively but non-hectic city overflowing with scenery, good food, student community, and cultural experiences. While my German improved exponentially during the study abroad, it is also perfectly possible for the non-German speaker to thrive there since English is practically everywhere. Be prepared to look at the world from a new perspective, and to learn not only about Austria but a lot about yourself and your own culture and background. |
