See you @ CU: High School Meets University at the Villach Campus

This week, the new partnership between HAK Villach and CU Carinthia University is putting theory into practice: On October 19 and 21, two 12th-grade classes will begin their first “See you @ CU” sessions on the Villach campus.

What’s it like at a university, even before you’ve graduated from high school? What skills will be helpful later in university and in your career? And how can high schools and universities work together so that the knowledge you’ve already gained actually builds on what comes next?

This is exactly where “See you @ CU” comes in. As part of the new partnership between HAK Villach and CU Carinthia University 12th-grade students will have the opportunity over the course of a school year to get a taste of university life and acquire additional competencies.

From self-presentation to financial literacy 

To start, the focus is on two subject areas:

“Persuasive Self-Presentation,” taught by Janet Brown, shows students how to present their personal strengths and ideas persuasively - from a concise elevator pitch to a professional presentation.

In the second topic area, “Finance your future - How you decide today for tomorrow,” Jirina Egarter teaches the basics of managing money, budget planning and digital payment methods. Typical cost traps, such as installment purchases or “buy now, pay later” schemes, are also addressed.

The sessions take place both at HAK Villach and at the Villach campus of CU Carinthia University. This allows students to experience different learning environments and gain insights into university studies while still in high school. At HAK, they are also supported by their teachers Julia Zernig and Felicitas Gappnig.

Skills That Take You Further

Upon successful completion of both modules, participants receive certificates and digital badges.

Another benefit: If students later decide to pursue a degree at the Faculty of Business & Management at CU Carinthia University, the coursework completed as part of “See you @ CU” can be credited accordingly.

In this way, the partnership combines career and academic guidance with tangible added value for students’ future educational paths.

“See you @ CU” is designed for the long term: The program is to be continued in collaboration with HAK Villach and offered annually to 4th-year high school students in the future.

With the first sessions on October 19 and 21, the first joint year of “See you @ CU” is now getting underway - and with it, a new connection between high school and university.