Alexis's Exchange to BOKU | Austria
In 2015 I studied a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria. Before leaving, I knew very little about Austria or Vienna, I didn't even know any German language either. I chose to study here as there was a course I discovered that really appealed to me. I left Perth at the start of February and lived in Vienna until mid July, after which I travelled around Europe for a few months. My time in Vienna was truly life changing; the experiences I had, the people I met and the places I saw all left a considerable impression on me.
I studied a semester towards a Masters of Mountain Forestry at the Univerität für Bodenkultur, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, or BOKU for short. Still being enrolled in an undergraduate program at Murdoch, I was apprehensive about studying at a postgraduate level, let alone in another country. However I was reassured by the BOKU study abroad team I would be successful, and much later found out the reason for this was that their undergraduate courses are only offered in German. Despite there being many other universities available to study at, at many other amazing countries, I decided to study this course at this university for two reasons. Firstly, the previous year (2014) I was involved in Murdoch University's mentor program. In this semester I met many international students, especially from Europe and more specifically Germany and Austria. One of the students I made good friends with was studying at BOKU, and he strongly encouraged me to apply here, showing me the various resources to discover courses here. The second reason was more academic in decision. After checking out the various courses available, I felt strongly about the Forestry program (both undergraduate and postgraduate levels available) BOKU had to offer. Murdoch university does not offer anything like these degree programs, nor even units that focus on forestry. Coming from a Horticultural background before commencing university studies, and being enrolled in a double degree in Environmental Management and Sustainability at Murdoch, the Forestry program at BOKU really appealed to me (from what I could see, no other partner university had anything comparable to offer).
BOKU is spread over Vienna's north, all building situated within about thirty minutes train or bus of each other. My courses were mostly in the main building (pictured below), as that is where the Forestry and Silviculture offices are. I had to complete 11 courses (units) to make the equivalent of a full time load at Murdoch. This seemed like a lot, but the load was manageable. Perhaps because I was so interested in the courses and subjects, the study seemed easier than what I was used to at Murdoch. However I started my studies a few weeks before semester started, with an intensive language course. I attempted to learn conversational German at a basic level, and while it was tough it really helped out. However, I was still not great by the end of the course.
The other students enrolled in the Masters were all also all international students, either also on exchange or enrolled full time to complete the degree. I made really good friends with these people, mostly from Bhutan or Ethiopia, however there were also some students from around Europe and other parts of Asia. There was a core group of Mountain Forestry students that I bonded with over the semester; these students were completing the entire degree but as international students. We had many field trips around Austria offering us all the opportunity to explore the country and learn in the field. As the courses were quite intensive, and I was on campus with these students quite a lot, I did not interact very much with other students outside of the program. Ultimately though, I loved the degree program. However most of the professors seemed more interested in their own research rather than teaching students. The quality of teaching overall seemed average, but as I was so interested in the courses this didn't appear to impact me significantly academically however, I felt some of the classes were delivered poorly as well as academic support being poor. Overall however, I intend to head back to Vienna in a few years to finish off this Masters program and attempt to get a job in that industry somewhere in south western Europe. This experience was truly a life changing experience, even based on the academics alone.
However it wasn't just the academic side that proved this exchange semester to be life changing. Just as, if not more important was meeting people outside of studies and travelling around the city and country. Outside of my time being involved with studies, I immersed myself into the exchange student lifestyle. This mostly involved getting to know the other students living in my dormitory, yet also attending events organised through the student exchange office. I got to know so many other exchange students from all over the world, as well as a few domestic students. I initially lived in a student dormitory in the inner city, where I got to know my neighbour very well. Soon after I moved into a new accommodation on the outskirts of the city. This new place was definitely an upgrade, and everyone a lot friendlier. It was through this dorm I got to know most people I interacted with. I really enjoyed living in this place, particularly as it was advertised as a sustainable house. I became very good friends with a group of people there, some of which I met again when I travelled through Europe at the end of semester.
Not only were meeting all these new friends an important part of my experience, but I was also lucky enough to do a lot of travel. During semester, being able to visit a lot of world famous cities for the first time with my then girlfriend was also a valuable part of my studies abroad. During semester I was able to travel due to the university offering large holiday periods, and doing so with an Austrian student was an amazing experience. Along the way I even attempted to learn some European languages. Living in Austria I picked up some German; not enough for a conversation but I could go to the markets every weekend and ask for what I wanted in German (although all the vendors replied in English, perhaps picking up very quickly I was not a native speaker). I even tried learning how to say "Cheers!" in each language. I got to know a few. Although my inability to learn languages quickly was evident with each non English speaking country I went to. The travel I undertook after semester was even more amazing that travels during semester. I was lucky enough to travel around most of Europe, including visiting new and old friends along the way. Including visiting poor villages, and cities where I couldn't find anyone who spoke English. The biggest thing I learned during these tough times however, do not underestimate the kindness of strangers.
All of these experiences culminated in an incredible, truly life changing experience. Not only have I found a postgraduate course and career I wish to pursue, but this time away really allowed me to find a passion, learn a lot more about the world firsthand, mature mentally and emotionally, and make so many new really great friends. Perhaps most important was I fell in love with a girl who studies at that same university. She really helped me with translations, uni work, conversations in German and even Austrian conventions and customs. We had a major impact on each other's lives, and so perhaps I am reminiscing on my time with rose tinted glasses, but the impact was there nonetheless. However, a few weeks before meeting this girl, I fell in love with the city itself. The culture, atmosphere and people all make up a fantastic city. I most enjoyed the attitude towards the environment and sustainability the city seems to have, especially in comparison to Perth it was such a breath of fresh air; finding the majority of people also agreed with my beliefs. All this culminated in an extremely enjoyable, life changing, super exciting seven months living in Vienna. I cannot wait to go back!
- Alexis studied abroad at BOKU in Vienna, Austria
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Murdoch University Study Abroad & Exchange - Outbound
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT US!
EMAIL: studyabroad@murdoch.edu.au
PHONE: +61 8 93607836
VISIT: Murdoch University, Student Centre, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150
FIND US!
WEBSITE: http://our.murdoch.edu.au/Student-life/Join-in/Overseas-study-opportunities/
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/murdochoutbound
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/murdochoutbound
