Lejla Hairić (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Incoming Exchange Student | Faculty Engineering & IT | Spring Semester 2020
On February 28, I began my semester abroad at CU Carinthia University with a warm welcome event organized by the Office of International Relations. We were given a very good overview of the IT systems and what to expect during the semester. During the orientation days, we took a trip to the Dobratsch. We had the opportunity to choose and enjoy one of the traditional Austrian dishes – and it was even free. The Dobratsch was a truly beautiful place. There was a lot of snow – I hadn’t seen that much in a long time due to climate change. The next day, CU organized a “scavenger hunt,” the main goal of which was to familiarize us with important places in Villach. At the end of the event, we were rewarded with a dessert.
Villach is a great place. The city is small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed, and big enough that you can find almost everything you need. Italy and Slovenia are easy to reach since they’re so close by. The bike paths along the Drau River are fantastic! I also like the Austrian weather, though the summer days are still a bit too hot for me.
The knowledge I gained at CU Carinthia University was quite different from my degree program in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Ultimately, the courses I chose were good, and I was able to attend them and perform well. I enjoyed my studies because the courses were interesting. Homework was also something new for me, since we don’t have that at my university. The instructors were great. They handled “online learning” well and did their best to convey their knowledge. Since nothing was purely theoretical and we had to use various computer programs or learning methods other than just lectures, this was no easy task. They were friendly and always willing to help or go the extra mile when needed. This applies not only to the professors; all the other staff members at CU were also wonderful. They were always helpful and always had a suggestion ready on how they could make our lives easier.
I got to know many people of different nationalities, ethnicities, and cultures. It was interesting to learn about their ways of life and to understand them better. It was easy to connect with most of the students, and they were always willing to help. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to spend another semester abroad somewhere. I think this is something every student should experience, as it can help them gain a different perspective on their studies and their life. As for Villach, I will definitely return there at least once more in my life.