Amazing first time abroad Past Review
By Ashley J (International Business, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 02/02/2015 to 07/03/2015 with
Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz: Graz - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned how to deal with ambiguity, be more outgoing and accepting of other people, and some other things. But most importantly to enjoy the little things that life gives us.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were not mandatory and most students didn't go. Classes were not easy to come by and many of the courses I wanted to take weren't available or offered in English or German for the spring term (Mainly high level business courses). The finals are very difficult though, since its basically the only testing you have the whole semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall good, but the responses to my host coordinator didn't come right away. Maybe a day or so later. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Poor housing, overpriced, dirty. If possible I would TOTALLY recommend an apartment or WG-Zimmer because the student dorms and housing are not worth it. OeAD especially. You pay for cleaning ladies (which is taken out of your deposit) who don't even clean your apartment really....walls were covered in what looked like black skid marks, arm chairs were yellow and not the original color which was white...and so on. |
| * Food: |
Many options, and overall delicious. Grocery shopping is a bit expensive here in my opinion but you have many different grocery stores to chose from. Just be aware that Hofer doesn't take credit card. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not so much at first because the only people around me were Erasmus students and its very hard to meet other people who are from the area or University. I had applied for a tandem partner and also hung out with my buddy which I applied for before my program started. This helped to meet people and open up from the "only Erasmus" area. Also, having good German speaking skills and a higher level of german language will help you to integrate much easier. It will be harder to meet local people if you don't know german or know very little. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe city, but as usual don't go to parks alone at night and don't walk in the area by the train station at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Eassily could do 100 per week. Groceries were expensive and so is going out. If you don't go out then its easy to spend under 100 euros per week, but if you plan to do groceries AND go out....then plan to spend about 100. Or more....depending on you. I would go to the grocery store twice a week (about 27 euros per time) and would go out twice a week (including the covers and drink probably 20 euros each time). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-250 (depending on ifIi traveled or not |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Austria is very expensive. Just plan appropriately before coming because in my case I didn't understand how expensive it was here and I have gone through a lot more money than I expected and had earned/saved/been given by the parents. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Courses are offered in English, but everyone should know basic german or higher before coming. |
| 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? | B2 |
| 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? | DONT fall into the trap of speaking in English with everyone!! Most everyone you meet will be from Erasmus (if you live in the dormitory setting) and majority don't know much german at all so they will speak English with you. This happened to me. Branch out and meet people and have fun! Apply for tandem partners or hangout with your buddy. But just whatever you do make a point of speaking german, you won't regret it! |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I had known how much money I would have spent and how most everyone wants to speak English with you and not so much german. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
