My Heart Lies in Salzburg Past Review

By (Speech Pathology, Illinois State University) for

Salzburg College: Semester Study Abroad in Austria

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My plans for the future have not changed much. I just built on all my previous plans. Now I have been encouraged to go over seas in the future to use my speech pathology skills to bring medical attention to those who suffer. I also have started making friend with international student at our school. I have also become more confident in my goals and have more determination to act them out. We have divided our world into countries, nations, cultures, groups, etc. but studying abroad I learned that we all aren't that different after all. I can safely say that I have become less self-centered and more world centered.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Salzburg College is very quaint and friendly. It is not a big school so everyone gets to know each other including the teachers and administration. We had a block schedule which was nice because that meant that we only had to focus on a few classes at a time. I really like how they managed to incorporate our want to travel and interest of the European culture into the studies by going on field trips, talking about real life circumstances, and giving us ample opportunities to get involved in the community.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The director Phoebe Mayer is amazing. She is always there when you need her and gives great advice from classes to travel. She is very close to all the students and you can tell that she really loves her job. She will meet all your expectations. My class size was 13 students which I did not know about until I got there. Keep in mind that it is a small, private, American school.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The director Phoebe Mayer helps us with our housing. She sets up a meeting with you during the beginning travel period where you tell her if you have any specifications (ie dorm, host family, English speakers, internet access) and then she will match you with your housing. Salzburg is very safe and I had no problems going out at night. You can live anywhere from in town to the outskirts of Salzburg but one or two bus rides will get to any of the action. Living with a host family, they were able to provide me with everything. My host family treated me like part of the family. We all ate meals together, hung out on the weekends together, went on family outings with one another, and even traveled together after school was out.

* Food:

My host family always fed me more than enough and always offered me more food whenever I was hungry. The food in town is good too. You can eat at any restaurant and enjoy the food. There is a really good pizza place (one minute walk from the school) that is cheap and filling (Pizzeria il Sole). I also recommend to go to the daily and weekly markets in town for a lighter meal. I also recommend Baerenwirt for some delicious Austrian meals or some tasty Goulash soup!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

only two-three courses at a time gave us a lot of time to get comfortable with the area and go on extra travel trips. Traveling was my favorite. Take advantage of the two week travel break to really experience Europe! My favorite memories are from Ireland especially going to the Cliffs of Moher. I also really enjoyed going to Liechtenstein and Baveria, Germany because of the beautiful scenery. My favorite field trips were the hiking ones. One day we hiked along Wolfgangsee, another time to some huge ice caves, and my favorite was the hike up to the Eagles nest. Our tour guide was awesome! Alex took us the most adventurous and off trail way that made getting to the top the most memorable and beautiful experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Health was not an issue. The was a doctor that the director would recommend to us if we had any problems that was cheap. And no vaccines were necessary. Safety was also not an issue. Salzburg is a very safe place and when we traveled we always had to take to the director first to cover any safety issues about where we were going.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 5 Euros a day on lunch (but that is included). I did not buy a lot of souveniers (mostly because it would make my luggage too heavy). Most of my money went to bus fares and attraction fairs (like going to the castle, rafting, hiking, and museums).
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? BUS FAIRS!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate German (GER 116)
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Most people spoke English. Everyone that works at the college spoke English. My host family spoke English. Most of the store owners spoke English. English was everywhere (mostly because of the English tourists!). I did try to use German in everyday situations but most of the time it was not necessary. However, at school, with my host family, with my Austrian friends, when ordering, and when attending events I always tried to speak German. If you really want to practice your German or if you are a really advanced German speaker, going to Salzburg College will be fun, but even someone who has never spoke German in their life will be able to enjoy the city of Salzburg.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Salzburg College is a rewarding, exciting, and relaxing program centered in a beautiful city that steals you heart. Anyone is welcome and everyone leaves with a feeling of renewal and happiness.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

German Conversation

Course Department: FOR
Instructor: Maria Czermak
Instruction Language: German
Comments: This course was really nice. It is exactly what it sounds like...German Conversation. We just went to class (or on a field trip in town) and talked in German. It really helped me to advance my German conversation skills especially by talking to and being corrected by real German speakers.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, it just takes a while. So please be patient.
Course Name/Rating:

Intercultural Communication

Course Department: COM 372
Instructor: Thomas Herdin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Talk about my favorite course!! This course is taught by a really experienced and amazing professor. It may sound like a boring class which is why I almost did not take it, but it's not. It gives you so much interesting and incredible information about different cultures while the teacher incorporates his very own experiences into the class. This is one of the more serious classes though so be prepared to think and have homework!
Credit Transfer Issues: No, it just takes a while. So please be patient.
Course Name/Rating:

History of Music

Course Department: MUS 257
Instructor: Oliver Kraft
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I'm not a music major but this class was great! It really helped me to understand why Europe loved music so much. It also opened up opportunities for me to attend concerts, operas, and other musical events. Plus it is taught by a great teacher and flutist. If you take this class though and you aren't a music major, please study because they are very detailed.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, it just takes a while. So please be patient.