I took Erasmus as an opportaunity to deepen my knowledge with a different study system, to improve my language, or to change my environment from the big city – Prague, to a smaller, more intimate city surrounded by nature. I rate my decision to participate in Erasmus very positively, as well as choosing to study at TU Graz.

FA CTU vs TU Graz…

I study at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University and I decided to take Erasmus in the 3rd semester of my master’s studies. For me, it means extending my
studies by one semester, but given the number of subjects and their time-consuming difficulty, this is only a positive consequence.

I chose the Technische Universität Graz as my university during my stay in Graz due to the course offerings from various fields of study. I completed my studies in both – German and
English (approximately in the ratio of 70 to 30). This university offers many more options in German, but there is also an offer of subjects in the English language. Anyway, studying in German was a big challenge in the beginning, because Austrian German is quite different from the “Hochdeutsch” German that we normally learn in schools.

A specific feature of studying at Graz University of Technology was the division of subjects according to institutes with different specifications (e.g. institute of landscape architecture, institute of load-bearing structures, …) Due to the complexity of architecture as a field, I sometimes missed the intermingling of individual specifications and the omission of some principles of designing that were not in the institute’s specification. (e.g. in the institute for load-bearing structures during the design of the football stadium – they did not deal with dispositions principles or urbanism at all)

I was also pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive selection of sports courses. As part of thisoffer, I took part in a winter freeride-skiing course.

Organization, housing, catering, transport…

All matters regarding logging into the TU Graz system and the organization were very easy with the help of tutorials, the responsible persons in the study department answered all questions quickly and I rate the overall organization on the side of TU Graz very positively. Most students found living in the city of Graz in modern dormitories or studio apartments. I was in a dormitory with a cellular system and many options (such as a fitness room or bicycle parking) about 3 km from the faculty.

There is a canteen available in the university campus, but the prices are more like a classic restaurant (a classic hot meal with soup costs about €13). Therefore, most students preferred to cook their meals at home.

Graz has both bus and tram public transport. Compared to Prague, however, this network feels chaotic and, in the case of such a small city as Graz, sometimes even inefficient. That is why most residents there use bicycles for transportation. At the beginning, I was quite afraid of cycling next to cars, but the drivers are used to cyclists and are very considerate. Traveling outside the city is very convenient, especially by train. For students, there is the socalled Top Ticket for €180, with which they can travel throughout Styria during the entire semester. Considering that Styria itself offers many one-day and multi-day trips, this ticket is very advantageous.

City and free time…

In the city of Graz itself, I would recommend classic well-known places such as Schlossberg, Murinsel, Eggenberg Castle and its gardens, or Kunsthaus. Near the city there is beautiful nature with hiking and cycling routes. The higher mountains are easily accessible from Graz by train and bus in 1-3 hours. The beauties offered by the Austrian Alps deserve a lot of attention from passionate tourists and recreational travelers. The ESN Graz organization organizes many different events for foreign students, from sightseeing trips, parties, sports events to ski trips on Austrian glaciers.

Final summary…

Erasmus is a great opportunity and at the same time a challenge – an opportunity to try a slightly different educational system, meet new interesting people and visit new places, and at
the same time it is a challenge to manage culture shock, a foreign language and your own independence. It is therefore for everyone who is not afraid of change and wants to have an experience of a lifetime.

I hope this post helped you to get a basic idea of Erasmus in Austria. In case of any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at sedlam47@fa.cvut.cz.