Hannah’s Summer season in Salzburg, Austria 

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Questioning what it’s prefer to research overseas in Austria? We lately spoke with Hannah, a historical past main and artwork historical past and music double minor from Willamette College, who spent her summer time learning overseas within the picturesque metropolis of Salzburg! 

Uncover how Hannah’s research overseas expertise in Salzburg with AIFS Overseas helped her discover the area and enhance her German language expertise! 

Selecting a Examine Overseas Vacation spot & Time period 

Should you’re nonetheless narrowing down the place to review overseas, the method could really feel overwhelming—particularly with so many superb AIFS Overseas locations to select from! One useful method to focus your search is to filter applications by tutorial curiosity or language. For Hannah, a vacation spot the place she may apply her German and research European historical past made Salzburg a superb selection: 

“I selected Salzburg as a result of I had earlier expertise with German and I used to be within the area. My historic focus in my main is on fashionable European historical past, so I discovered Austria fascinating. I might advocate this program to college students who need to be centrally situated to journey to different European locations.” 

Whereas many faculty college students relish the chance to spend an entire semester overseas, others, like Hannah, are extra comfy with a short-term program: 

“I selected summer time time period as a result of I didn’t need to miss an entire semester at Willamette. I cherished the summer time time period, I didn’t really feel like I used to be lacking something vital as a result of I might have simply been working within the U.S.” 

Teachers Overseas 

For individuals who need a supportive tutorial surroundings overseas that includes site-oriented curricula and unbeatable immersive realized experiences, learning overseas at an AIFS Overseas World Training Middle (GEC) is the right choice. These tutorial hubs are situated throughout Europe and supply shut school mentorship and small lessons that assist college students dive deep into the cultural and historic contexts of their program locations. Hear Hannah describe how she appreciated her lessons at our GEC in Salzburg: 

“I attended lessons at an AIFS Overseas [Global Education Center]. I loved my lessons a lot and I really feel I acquired loads out of them. Each of my instructors lived regionally and I used to be in a position to be taught a lot from them about our class matters and in addition the town and tradition itself.” 

She took two lessons throughout her summer time time period in Salzburg, Austrian Folks and Folks Customs and German Language I, which she describes beneath. In Austrian Folks and Folks Customs, college students studied ex voto work, a type of devotional folks artwork historically created as choices of thanks or in success of a vow. Consider them as visible “thanks” presents to a deity for cover or assist. 

“We went on a number of subject journeys in Austrian Folks Artwork and Folks Customs, which stood out as highlights to me in this system. For example, we studied many Austrian-made ‘ex voto’ folks artwork work, and we had been in a position to go to the folks tradition museum the place we acquired to see lots of the work we’d been learning!” 

Hannah additionally shared how her German Language I course and every day life in Salzburg helped strengthen her language expertise: 

“My German [language] course was similar to the elementary German programs I’d taken at my dwelling college. I used to be in a position to decide up the language extra as a result of I used to be dwelling in a German-speaking surroundings. The construction and tradition of my Austrian Folks and Folks Customs was very completely different from any class I’d taken at Willamette. As I discussed, the category was organized round these subject work alternatives, which I discovered very useful to my studying fashion as a pupil. Our class was lecture-based but additionally very conversational, and I felt as if there was a mutual respect between the scholars and the teacher.” 

Language Studying 

When you’re not required to know one other language or take international language programs to review overseas, it’s a superb alternative to be taught a brand new language for those who select to take action. As somebody with some prior German language data, Hannah famous how a lot her proficiency improved over the course of her program: 

“I studied overseas in Austria, which is a German-speaking nation. You didn’t have to have German language expertise previous to this system. I used to be taking Elementary German I and my language expertise improved loads over my time there. I used to be in a position to work together with locals largely in German after I was at eating places, grocery shops, espresso retailers, and many others. The recommendation I might give to college students is to only attempt to communicate the language even for those who’re not utterly assured. Locals really feel extra revered for those who put effort into speaking with them and it additionally helps you develop your expertise.” 

AIFS Overseas Actions & Excursions 

AIFS Overseas applications embody a variety of social and cultural actions in addition to journeys and excursions designed to complement your expertise overseas. These inclusions assist contributors extra absolutely immerse themselves within the native tradition, discover extra of the area with trusted guides, and have enjoyable—all whereas they bond with fellow contributors. As Hannah explains, they’re experiences you don’t need to miss out on: 

“I attended virtually each tour alternative that AIFS supplied. Two of my favorites had been the Vienna weekend journey and the pastry tasting. Our coordinators scheduled a bunch of cool alternatives on [the] Vienna weekend [trip]. For instance, we acquired to go to the artwork historical past museum within the metropolis middle, whereas we had been there… We [also] went on an tour to the marionette theater in Salzburg, which was tremendous enjoyable!” 

Weekend & Day Journeys 

Along with occurring AIFS Overseas journeys and excursions, you’re welcome to discover your host nation and the encircling area throughout your free time. One weekend, Hannah got down to go to Prague with among the new buddies she’d made: 

“I went to Prague one weekend with 6 or 7 ladies in my program and it was great!… This was a fantastic alternative to discover a distinct space.” 

Whereas Salzburg’s location provides easy accessibility to different European international locations, Hannah found there’s tons to do exactly outdoors the town, as properly: 

“It’s helpful for college kids to know you could get to virtually anywhere from a bus in Salzburg. My buddies and I went to a lake about an hour away from Salzburg a few occasions, and it was solely about 12 euros round-trip. 

I actually admired how linked Salzburg was with the encircling rural areas. Many individuals that I spoke to (together with my instructors) had a deep appreciation for historic websites in Salzburg in addition to websites situated additional away from the town, just like the Basilica of Maria Plain.” 

AIFS Overseas On-Website Assist Workers 

From our superb excursions to our award-winning lecturers and housing, there are numerous causes to decide on AIFS Overseas. One of many components that basically makes our applications stand out is our devoted on-site help workers, who’re there to supply in-person help once you want it. Hannah was particularly grateful for her Program Director in Salzburg when she needed to go to the physician: 

“Our Program Administrators had been extremely useful whereas I used to be overseas. After I needed to go to the physician whereas overseas, my [Program Director], Katherina, was extremely useful and helped me determine all the things out.” 

Phrases of Knowledge 

When reflecting on her time overseas and pondering recommendation to future college students, Hannah had this to say: 

“I actually realized to step out of shell socially whereas I used to be overseas. I additionally dedicated to saying sure to virtually all the things whereas I used to be in Europe and I gained numerous priceless experiences by being open. I’ve tried to hold that mentality again to my life at dwelling. 

Say sure to issues! You’ll acquire so many priceless experiences by having an open thoughts. You’ll accomplish that many extra issues and be taught a lot extra about your self. Chances are you’ll kind a significant relationship with somebody you wouldn’t usually be open to. The probabilities are really countless!” 

Are you able to take the leap and research overseas like Hannah did in Salzburg? We’d love that will help you begin your journey! 

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students research overseas. Our applications include many priceless inclusions (which actually take the stress out of planning!), corresponding to housing, cultural and social actions, journeys and excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and extra. Whenever you select AIFS Overseas, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.