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How did you prepare for your stay abroad?

Firstly, I researched whether I could find courses with similar content to the ones I would normally attend. This is particularly important if they are based on a foundation course. Next, I contacted the application website of the host institution to initiate the next steps. This included the necessary health insurance and accommodation on campus. Meanwhile, I started the application for my visa. There are some fees to pay and longer waiting times, so it’s best not to start too late. Once I had completed the steps on the website and received my acceptance letter for the visa, I organised my flight tickets. As the semester in the USA starts before the end of the semester at the Technikum, I had to contact the professors to either hold the necessary exams remotely or, if necessary, move them forward.

What practical arrangements did you make before the exchange?

A visa is a must for a longer stay in the USA. The host institution will send you the necessary forms to submit the application. There are also several fees to pay, but these are generally listed on the application website. It is necessary to have some vaccinations, so it is necessary to organise an English-language vaccination certificate. You can obtain an international immunisation certificate from your family doctor. Health insurance must be organised through the host university. For accommodation, you can apply for housing on the university campus, and I was very happy with the flat. Otherwise, take all the documents you might need with you (it’s better to have too many than to forget one!).

How were you welcomed by the host institution?

The first week at the university was a welcome week. There were lots of lectures about life on campus, what tools are available, what differences there are in legislation, etc. It is also generally well organized by the ISSO to form smaller groups of international students. Here you can make friends with people from all over the world. There are also tips on how to open a US bank account and other useful information. Basically, I received all the information I needed for the next five months and if I had any further questions, emails were answered quickly.

About finding a room/apartment and accommodation.

As already mentioned, you can easily apply for university housing during the application process. There are several types to choose from, such as flats, dorms, etc. These differ in price, of course, depending on how much space you will have and how well they are furnished in advance. I found them good value for money and couldn’t complain. A meal plan is required for dorms as they do not include a kitchen. Here you can choose between several and they give you free access to the food courts. All types of university housing are very close to the university and there is a good bus network, which is free for students. You can organize private accommodation if you want, but I have no experience of this.

What financial precautions have you taken? What was the average cost of living?

The cost of living in the USA is currently higher than in Austria. Eating out or ordering in is a lot more expensive. I made sure that I either used the meal plans or cooked for myself (flats have a kitchen). At the beginning of the semester there are some costs for the student, as the rent for the housing has to be paid in advance and university books are somewhat expensive in the USA. After that, there are only costs for food, eating out and other leisure activities. Housing and insurance cost about 5000€.

How would you describe the country, the culture and the leisure activities you experienced during your time abroad?

The USA is really different. The people here are incredibly open, which makes it very easy to make new friends. There is an abundance of events and activities on campus that cater for everyone. It really is an experience that has the typical flavor of a US campus. Personally, I immediately felt at home here and enjoyed every minute.

How would you describe the degree program?

Lectures here were a little different. There is no compulsory attendance and more emphasis is placed on frequent submissions. It was normal to have four or more assignments in a week. These could be problem sets, smaller projects or reports on term projects. The grading scale also varies from lecture to lecture, so it’s best to check the syllabus at the beginning of term. One aspect that I particularly liked is that most of the professors here are very motivated to teach the students. There are weekly consultation hours where you can ask a tutor or the professor questions about assignments or topics directly. If you can’t come to this appointment, they are usually willing to arrange an additional appointment. So you will definitely be supported if you don’t understand something or have other problems.

Do you have any tips on what else to consider?

The most important thing is to prepare well and choose interesting lectures. Apart from that, I can only recommend: enjoy your time. It’s a great experience to live in another country for a longer period of time and meet new people.

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?

As you would expect, I gained some practice in speaking English. But I also gained experience working on projects with people from a different culture.

What was your most positive experience during your time abroad?

My best experiences were the memories I made with my new friends abroad. Whether it was the trips we took during the semester break or the activities we did together on campus.