My Semester in Salzburg Past Review
By Griffin U (Aerospace, Aeronautical Engineering, University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa) - abroad from 02/05/2015 to 05/27/2015 with
AIFS: Salzburg - University of Salzburg
I learned how to live on my own in a foreign country and culture, which is an invaluable skill for my future career. In addition, I learned to travel throughout Europe and navigate several different cultural and language barriers. I learned a lot about myself along the way, and it was a great opportunity to try something completely new. My time in Salzburg was completely worthwhile, and I hope to return to visit one day.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses at The University of Salzburg were taught by professors who seemed to really enjoy teaching American study abroad students. They went out of their way to ensure we learned the material, and also helped us out on adjusting to life in Salzburg as well. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff in Salzburg were available from the very beginning to answer any questions you may have prior to, during, and after the study abroad experience. The office was easily accessible, and there always seemed to be someone there to help if you needed to simply walk in and ask a question. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our group was split into different housing arrangements throughout the city, which allowed us to interact with other local and international students staying with us. My particular housing arrangement was located in the heart of the city and had a wonderful staff. |
| * Food: |
The local cuisine is amazing, and there are so many different eating options, from nice traditional restaurants to sausage stands and coffee shops to satisfy any craving. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
While it was sometimes hard to break out and meet other people in Salzburg, if you made an effort to reach out and meet people it was easy. There were ample opportunities provided to interact with the local culture, such as being a teaching assistant at a local school. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I encountered no health issues, but others I knew who had issues said their experience with the local healthcare system was good. |
| * Safety: |
Salzburg seemed very safe, and no safety issues were encountered during my stay there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
For me, Salzburg was a perfect location to study abroad. The city's size is perfect, not too big but big enough to have plenty to do. The scenery in the Alps and Salzburg is simply beautiful, and it was wonderful to see the Alps every day when walking to class. While Salzburg has many tourists, there are also plenty of opportunities to see the real Salzburg and interact with locals. AIFS made everything easy while over there, and the support staff in Salzburg is great. |
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 was amazed at how easy it was to budget in Salzburg (it seemed cheaper than at my home campus). There were plenty of local markets and shops to purchase items, and the nearby Ikea was great for purchases as well as a cheap meal. While there are some very expensive things in Salzburg, living there on a budget is not very difficult as well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Purchase the Austrian National Railways 'Vorteilscard', which gives students incredible savings on train tickets both throughout Austria and Internationally. I spent around $20 on this, and it saved me hundreds of dollars throughout my semester abroad. |
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 |
The two-week orientation portion of the program had mandatory intensive German language classes, which helped immensely for all levels. After this portion, further German classes were encouraged, and many students took advantage of this. I highly recommend taking as much German class as possible while in Austria, although those speaking only English will get by just fine in Salzburg. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4 years High School German |
| 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? | Simply interacting with locals in Salzburg is the best way to refine your German skills. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had practiced my German even more before going to Salzburg. The more you know going into the program, the more you will be able to interact with locals and get the most out of the program. The AIFS program in Salzburg is well-established and well-run, and they are truly there for any issues you may have. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
