I will zrück nach Graz! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes are once a week, for an hour and a half. Depending on the level of the course, there may or may not be homework. One exam at the end of the semester will account for your entire grade, in a Vorlesung. Students in the U.S. are incredibly babysat compared to in Austria. The SUNY courses will try to mimic U.S. courses in this way, but if you stay for a second semester you will be on your own.

On-site administration of your program

Christa Grassauer was an invaluable resource, and I found the orientation very helpful (although I had previously studied abroad somewhere with a very poor orientation, so I was probably viewing it in comparison to this). I was able to go to the Office of International Relations at any time during the semester for any questions. The SUNY Graz team took us places I never would have gotten to see without them (Dachstein, Hallstatt, the Thermen at Köflach, and a lot of nice restaurants to name a few), and many of the trips mirrored the ESN excursions although ours were pre-paid. They were very supportive and I enjoyed meeting up with them regularly.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was in excellent proximity to the campus center (5 minute walk), although far away from the Vorstudienlehrgang classes (half hour walk), 15 minutes from Merangasse 70, and about 15 minutes from Treffpunkt Sprache. A comforter and pillows were provided, but sheets, pillow/comforter cases, and all cookware had to be bought (mostly from IKEA). You will have to help clean the kitchen and take out trash occasionally; the rooms are on a rotating cycle in which each room cleans for a week. The dorm is close to the Uni Viertel (college student oriented bars, if you like that scene) but about 20 minutes walking from the city centre.

If you live in Leechgasse, you will have to cook for yourself. Vegetarian living in Austria is possible. Go to the Bauernmarkt. Otherwise, Austrian pizzas became my best friends. Posaune (on Zinzendorfgasse) does not disappoint.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did a vast amount of traveling while living in Graz, it was all worth it. Get a Vorteilskarte if you are going anywhere by train. Go to Aufsteiern, drink Sturm, be amazed by the masses of Lederhosen. Don't miss the Krampuslauf, or Fasching. All in all, if you want to experience a new culture (provided you haven't been here before), go to Graz.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never really felt unsafe walking through Graz at night (or any time really), although I wouldn't recommend gallivanting through the Stadtpark at wee hours of the morning. I had no health issues, but my friends who did had no problems getting emergency care with the GKK insurance. Take note, you can make a good deal of money if you sell your plasma. However, the access to insured psychiatric care is limited and not hospitable to people seeking immediate help. If you have problems with depression or mood disorders, it can be tough.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I spoke German with native speakers whenever possible and am now much closer to fluency than when I arrived. The Vorstudienlehrgang course seemed tedious at first but really helped me improve and make friends with whom my common language was German and not necessarily English. Most Austrians do speak English but I rarely encountered anyone who insisted on speaking English with me if I wanted to speak German. The Steierisch Dialekt takes some getting used to.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• International Students
• Americans

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• Local Students