Wanderlust Past Review

By A student (Plan II Honors and Classics, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/03/2012 to 05/24/2012 with

AIFS: Salzburg - University of Salzburg

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

YES! I am so glad I had the opportunity to go study abroad. I would totally do it again if I have another chance. Just being abroad opened my eyes to a bigger world and I learned how to be independent.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	University of Salzburg University of Texas at Austin
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Some of the courses I took abroad were more challenging than the courses I took back in Austin. The professor really pushed us the students to think and reflect. My note-taking skills greatly improved. I wrote more papers abroad. INTENSE yet FUN.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The AIFS staff in in Austria is AWESOME and FABULOUS. They know exactly what they are doing and they make each student feel welcomed and comfortable. By the end of the program, Ingrid (the director) was like our Austrian mother. I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet Ingrid, Nicole and Andreas. Such a great staff!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I stayed at St. Sebastian which was in the New Town. It's in the middle of everything: very close to school, the Old Town and the train station. You can literally walk everywhere from this dorm. The only problem I had was they turn off the burners after 10PM, so you have to cook before then. When I got out of the classes late, I found myself eating cold sandwiches and fruits (which were fine with me, but my other classmates wanted hot dinner food).
* Food:	Time to learn how to cook! Don't get me wrong...Austrian food is SO delicious. But the program provides you with meal money every month and you have to manage it, which means you have to cook for yourself. You can go out to eat, but it's really expensive to dine out and you will find yourself with an empty bank account. FOOD IS GREAT though! Everything is so fresh!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The program does such a good job, taking you to cultural events and notifying you all the things that are going on in the city and around the area. It's a bit hard to meet and mingle with the locals though.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I thankfully didn't have any health issue while I was abroad, but the program director took such a good care of my friends when they were sick. Your insurance basically covers almost everything.
* Safety:	Austria is a very, very, very clean and safe city.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* 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)	I watched my budget very carefully.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I spent my own money mostly on souvenirs and travels.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't go out to eat everyday; when you are buying souvenirs, look around. When you go farther down the street, things tend to be much cheaper.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	All the time!
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Don't be afraid to practice! When you are shopping, use the language. They will understand and actually help you out.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Academic and Cultural Curriculum Staff and teachers Fellow study abroad-mates
* What could be improved?	Meal money could be increased a bit more. The office closes so early!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Culture and customs; cooking skills

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	GER 506 & 507
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	German
Comments:	Awesome yet challenging languages classes; the instructors were super helpful and taught well. Given that these are language courses, they were really challenging (especially speaking and listening), but by the end of the semester, your German will have significantly improved!!!
Credit Transfer Issues:	Bring all the class materials home.