Want to know what it’s like to study abroad in Austria? We recently spoke with Mia, an exercise science major and psychology minor from the University of Arkansas, who spent her spring semester studying abroad in the picturesque city of Salzburg!
Discover how Mia’s study abroad experience in Salzburg with AIFS Abroad helped her explore Austria and improve her German language skills!
Choosing a Study Abroad Destination & Term
Struggling to pick a study abroad destination or term? You’re not alone! With so many amazing options with AIFS Abroad, it’s not always easy to decide. For Mia, it came down to Austria’s central location in Europe, along with the smaller size of the city itself:
“I loved that Austria is a very central country with easy access to nearby places. I also loved that Salzburg had a small-town feel with many restaurants and shops that made it feel bigger. I would definitely recommend it to others; it was honestly the perfect place to study abroad.”
As far as choosing when to study abroad, Mia found that springtime in Salzburg was an ideal choice:
“I wanted to study in the spring because the weather gets so beautiful and I also wanted to get away from the winter at home. The vibe was very chill in the first couple of months because it was still the off-season, and once it got to be springtime, it definitely got busier with tourists, but rightfully so! The weather and blooming plants were incredibly beautiful, and seeing the snow melt from the mountains in the distance was amazing.”
Academics Abroad
AIFS Abroad study abroad programs in Salzburg are taught at our Global Education Center (GEC). These international education institutions feature site-oriented curricula and highly immersive learning experiences that take your studies out into the real world—featuring field trips to important historic and cultural sites while incorporating local perspectives that offer new insights into the subject matter.
As Mia described, all of her classes at the AIFS Abroad GEC in Salzburg were so exceptional that it was difficult for her to identify a single favorite:
“I took German 101, Music in the age of Mozart, Austrian Folk Art and Customs, and Contemporary Austrian Culture! I would recommend all of these classes, I honestly can’t choose a favorite.”
Both in and out of the classroom, Mia found AIFS Abroad professors and on-site staff to be incredibly helpful:
“AIFS had super engaging professors and the staff were so helpful and always there if I had a question or needed anything!”
Language Learning
While you’re not required to take foreign language courses or be fluent to study abroad, language immersionis the best way to learn for those who are interested. Mia went to Austria without any prior German language knowledge, but quickly learned everyday German phrases:
“German is the primary language in Austria, but almost everyone I had to talk to also spoke English. I did not have much trouble, and it was very easy to catch on to the common German phrases. Taking German class also helped because our teacher prioritized helping us be prepared for conversations in public and being able to communicate in everyday life.”
Housing
Housing can shape your entire study abroad experience. You want to be close to your classes, in a good neighborhood, have the right amenities, and feel as safe as possible. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad is dedicated to providing the best housing around; in fact, we’ve even won awards for it! In Salzburg, Mia stayed in a dorm that provided everything she needed:
“I lived in a dorm-style room with one other girl, and we shared a bathroom between the two of us. There was a shared kitchen on our floor, and we had designated places in the pantry and fridge to keep our food.”
Making Friends Abroad
While Mia went abroad with her boyfriend, many college students choose to set out on their own every year. And with included activities and excursions that help you bond with fellow students, making friends on an AIFS Abroad program is a piece of cake. Mia explained how her program provided the perfect environment to build close friendships:
“My boyfriend was on the same program as me, but other than that, I didn’t know anyone. It was super easy to make friends, and I got super close with many people in our program. Since it was a smaller group of us, we all just ended up hanging out together most nights.”
AIFS Abroad Activities & Excursions
AIFS Abroad programs include social and cultural activities, as well as trips and excursions, that take you out into your host city, along with various points of interest around your host country. Activities and excursions are a great opportunity to travel and learn more about your program destination, all while you get to know your fellow program participants. One of Mia’s favorite trips with AIFS Abroad was to Vienna—a destination that’s easy to reach from Salzburg but still felt like a completely different experience:
“We had a trip to Vienna with AIFS, which was super fun. We got to visit museums, and we all stayed together in a hostel, which was so much fun. AIFS planned the travel and stay for us.”
Mia’s Study Abroad Advice
In addition to urging you to go ahead and make the decision to study abroad, Mia offers some practical advice once you’re abroad:
“Do it!! Do everything that you want to do, travel to the places you want to see, but also give yourself days and times to rest. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with being busy and burn out. Sometimes you need a day or weekend to relax, especially if you are traveling a lot.”
Are you ready to take the leap and study abroad like Mia did in Salzburg? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs come with everything you need to go abroad with confidence, including housing, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more. When you choose AIFS Abroad, you can take comfort knowing you’ll enjoy trusted support throughout your entire experience abroad.
