Out of the comfort zone and into adventure

That's why our International Office is happy to support you if you want to spend a semester or do an internship abroad. All you need to bring is a bit of courage, wanderlust and enough lead time to get your personal adventure off the ground. Side note: The application deadline for a semester abroad in the summer semester 2022/23 is 15 September.

And what about the pandemic?

In times of the corona pandemic, you are probably wondering whether such a change of scenery abroad seems feasible & plannable at the moment. Because we want to dispel your worries right from the start, we asked Birgit Rivalta, Head of the International Office at FH Burgenland, for her assessment:

"If you are also considering spending your semester abroad in Rome, then prendi le tue valigie e vai. It really is an exceptionally beautiful city that has so many things to offer. I highly recommend it to everyone."

Mona Karl, student of the Master's programme in International Economic Relations

What challenges did you encounter?

I sent off my application for a semester abroad in Rome full of enthusiasm, because I didn't want to miss out on the unique opportunity to get to know a new city and a different culture. I soon received a provisional acceptance letter from Link Campus University in Rome.

However, there were some initial difficulties because the courses that were to take place in Rome were only announced a week before the start of the trip. So I wasn't sure whether I would be able to start the trip as planned. That's why I only started looking for accommodation a few days before the start of the trip. After almost all the accommodation was taken, I luckily found a lovely flat share in a Facebook group after spending two weeks in a hotel. My tip for future stays abroad in Italy: don't panic, it's normal here for everything to happen at the last minute and still work out in the end.
 

What did you particularly like about your stay in Rome?

It took me a few days to really feel at home in a new country, but after my Christmas visit home I was really looking forward to coming back to Rome. The city is beautiful and there are so many sights to see.

The university campus in Rome is beautiful and really big. You would think that there would be a lot of people studying there, but there were only about 10 students per course in one room. If the bus is late in the morning, you don't need to worry. The Italians are not quite so strict about punctuality.
 

How did the coronavirus pandemic affect your semester abroad?

With regard to corona, everything was very regulated at the university. Before you were allowed to enter the campus, your Green Pass had to be scanned and your temperature was measured. In closed rooms, you also had to wear a mask during lessons, but you get used to it and it's half as bad at the end of the day. I was glad that I was able to attend the courses in person so that I could get to know the other students. Fortunately, there were hardly any restrictions for vaccinated people during my stay.

Mona Karl, student on the Master's programme in International Economic Relations 

"My highlights during my semester abroad were definitely various trips to neighbouring countries such as Latvia, Estonia and Finland, as Vilnius is a good starting point for travelling to more northern countries."

Georg Zisser, student of the bachelor's programme in Energy and Environmental Management

What did you particularly like about your stay in your host country?

I didn't know much about Vilnius or Lithuania as a whole at the beginning, only that it belongs to the Baltic States and is a relatively small country with less than three million inhabitants. But the friendliness of the people and the openness of the country surprised me in a very positive way - especially the city of Vilnius with its many facets. Vilnius is a beautiful city with many international restaurants and events and is very popular with many students and exchange students from all over the world.
 

And what was campus life like at the host university?

VilniusTech is one of the most prestigious technical universities in Lithuania and has a new, spacious campus on the outskirts of the city as well as an old, traditional part in the centre of Vilnius. The university's ‘Erasmus Student Network’ organised numerous events and trips, starting with the ‘Orientation Days’, where many exchange students got to know each other, through to various parties and excursions around Vilnius. There were also so-called ‘Cultural Evenings’, where all the nations represented at the university were introduced by the foreign students.

The exchange with international students and getting to know many different cultures, customs and traditions was particularly interesting. Communicating exclusively in English was certainly a great enrichment for my future life.
 

Would you decide to study abroad in Lithuania again?

As it was not easy to choose a suitable place to study, the choice fell very surprisingly on Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. After this semester abroad at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VilniusTech), however, I am very glad that I made this decision and can only report positive things about it.

So yes: I would repeat my semester in Lithuania in a heartbeat and can only recommend a semester abroad to anyone, because it gives you unique experiences and impressions that you shouldn't miss!

Georg Zisser, Bachelor of Energy and Environmental Management student

"Looking back, I would take the plunge again at any time and start a stay abroad."

Clara Lang, Master's student in e-learning and knowledge management

What experiences did you have during your semester abroad in Belgium - also in view of the coronavirus pandemic?

I had been planning to do a semester abroad for a long time and the time had finally come last winter semester. My lecturers were all experts in their field, I travelled a lot and met wonderful people both on and off campus. 

I was also lucky that there were fewer restrictions in Belgium than in Austria due to the Covid-19 pandemic. My lessons could therefore almost always take place on site. I also attended a few events, especially at the beginning. 

Clara Lang, student on the Master's programme in e-learning and knowledge management

"I would definitely choose to go abroad again. The personal development I was able to experience in the Netherlands was unbelievable."

Andreas Schüler, graduate of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy

What motivated you to do a graduate internship in the Netherlands?  

I had wanted to do a semester abroad since the beginning of my studies: This idea developed after I heard some testimonials from acquaintances and friends. When studying physiotherapy, it is extremely difficult to complete a semester or internship abroad in a non-German-speaking country due to the complexity of the physiotherapy process. And to be completely honest: another German-speaking country was a bit too ‘little’ abroad for me.

So I decided to apply for a postgraduate programme (graduate internship) in the Netherlands. We often heard during our studies that the Netherlands is one of the best countries in the world for physiotherapy. The perfect place to gain professional experience.
 

What did you particularly like about your stay in the Netherlands?

For me, it was the international flair of the city of Maastricht: it is a small city and is often referred to as a ‘student city’. Students from all over the world come here. That was the perfect combination for me. Through the many conversations with Dutch patients from all age groups, I was able to get a very good picture of the culture.

I also made lots of international contacts in my free time, which gave me an insight into a wide variety of customs and traditions. I would generally recommend all students to do an experience abroad!

Andreas Schüler, graduate of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy

"I would always opt for an internship abroad because it has given me so much for the future."

Sophie Seier, student of the bachelor's programme in Healthcare and Nursing

What made you decide to do an internship abroad?

When I was told at the beginning of my degree programme that I could do an internship abroad for several months in the 5th semester, I knew immediately that I had to take advantage of this opportunity. So I decided to do an internship at Düsseldorf University Hospital with two other fellow students.
 

What experiences did you have in Germany - also in view of the coronavirus pandemic?

Everyone was very nice and we were allowed to do a lot in the field of nursing. We were also able to get a taste of six different areas (ward/outpatient clinic). We were also allowed to take over patient rooms on our own and assist the doctors.

Due to the coronavirus situation, employees were provided with free PCR and antigen tests and we were always kept up to date with the latest measures. I would advise anyone who decides to go abroad to find out about it early enough or to contact the relevant office (International Office).

Sophie Seier, student on the Bachelor's degree programme in Healthcare and Nursing
 

The coronavirus pandemic led to restrictions in many places. Looking back, would you dare to do your semester abroad in Germany again?

Yes, definitely! Even though corona has ruined a lot of things, I was still able to gain a lot of new experiences, learn to love a new city, get to know a new university, make new friends and go on a few excursions. Like to Lake Starnberg, for example.

Isabella Gasnarek, Bachelor of Building and Energy Technology student

Interested in a semester abroad or an internship abroad? You can find all the important information from the International Office right HERE!

All stories of our students abroad can be found HERE.