Experience Report Universität Innsbruck
E-mail: J.P.R.M.A.Gossieau@uvt.nl
Study Program: Human Resource Management
Exchange semester: Spring 2012
Academic Year: 2012-2013
Host University: Leopold-Fränzens Universität Innsbruck
Country: Austria
I GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Innsbruck and Innsbruck Universität (also called Leopold-Fränzens Universität)
The choice for Innsbruck was not a difficult one, having a look on some pictures shows why Innsbruck
is one of the best places to study in Austria. Surrounded by mountains, beautiful old city and the river
Inn making its way through the city. Within in 20 minutes by cable-car you can be a the top at
Nordkette to have a drink, eat or when there is a party. But I preferred walking in the weekends up to
some other less touristic mountains nearby Innsbruck. When you go during the winter or some part of
winter for your studies to Innsbruck, snowboarding or skiing is really easy to organize. Many places
offer skiing and snowboarding areas. The old part of the city with of course the golden roof is really
nice for having a drink, dinner or party in divers atmospheres from modern to the old-Austrian style.
Different nice ‘KaffeeHäuse’ during the day and in the night a nice Schnitzel (there is a place with 20
different kinds of Schnitzel), Knödel, Bauerngröstl or other Austrian dishes.
On five minutes from Innsbruck the place called Hall in Tirol serves the biggest old-town of Tirol and
in around an hour you can be in Italy. Innsbruck is great located in Austria!
The best thing about Innsbruck is that it is in the middle of the mountains at a great location (nearby
Italy, Switzerland, Germany) which makes it great for every kind of sports (especially climbing,
hiking, snowboarding, skiing but also other sports are possible at a decent level), to get to know the
Austrian culture, great atmospheres for eating, dining or partying, and travelling.
The Innsbruck Universität is the biggest University of west-Austria with about 27000 students placed
on 14 different faculties through the city. Therefore there is not one campus but throughout the city
buildings of the University. Most of the times you have your studies in one building except when you
take one of the free-offered for Erasmus students, German courses. In my case I studied at the SOWI
(Social and economics building), which was a modern building from 2000. The old university is
located in the center and was grounded in 1669. There is on most of the faculty building a library and
many workplaces you can reserve or just occupy.
The study structure is different from the Tilburg study structure. At first studying is for free and for
every study program you have to choose your own courses. Courses are very diverse in structure,
some are just for a couple of weeks, others for the whole semester but often at different times. To give
an example the semester starts in the week of the 1st of March, I had one course on three Saturdays
starting in the end of May. Other courses do have different times which sometimes has the
consequence that I had one week off or just with one course.
The courses are very interactive and in small groups. I did not had more than 30 people at one course,
which makes it personal. Also many tasks and assignment makes the study more practical and
challenging.
II PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before going to Innsbruck
On the website there is a guide and plan with steps how to apply at the university.
After I applied via the University website as an exchange student I received an e-mail with detailed
information what was going to happen now, what I had to do, what they will do etc. I subscribed in
September and an automatically response mail provided information. After that I send a letter to the
University with all information as C.V., information, motivation letter and all things asked. That took
a while without any response where I decided to mail to the exchange coordinators myself. The
consequence was that I immediately in a week received the message that everything was okay! Some
time before I actually really would go to Innsbruck, I received information about the modules,
introduction week, subscribing personal at the University, major house etc. They also emphasized that
when I would arrive the first thing to do was going to the exchange coordinators before doing
anything. This was really nice and showed trust. It will always be that when you go to another
unknown place you will have things that worry you. But the coordinators are always there to help you.
This was also the most difficult part for me, I was for example worried about the courses because I
wanted to have some specific courses in Innsbruck. I mailed them and they said that I had not to worry
about it since that will be done in the introduction days. Still I was not really satisfied but you cannot
do anything about it. Just let it happen is most of the times the best option.
In conclusion the pre-arrival information was excellent, detailed information, steps, personal contact.
Arrival
The first thing I was told to go by the exchange coordinators at the University. This is what I did and
they handed over a plan what I had to arrange in Innsbruck (for example signing in as a resident,
signing in at university etc.). I travelled earlier to Innsbruck before the introduction week, but at the
introduction week the same thing could also be done in assistance of the coordinators. I did it myself
which was no problem. Signing as a resident, student was really easy.
The week before the classes would start, an introduction information week was organized. Here we
received information about everything concerning your stay, University, Innsbruck as a city and other
relevant information where you sometimes did not even think about. Also you were guided through
the steps that were necessary for the beginning as an inhabitant of Innsbruck and student. At the end of
the week also a small drink was organized where you could meet other exchange students.
It seemed to me very well organized and prepared for every problem that might arise. To say it in
another way I did not had any problems in Innsbruck at the beginning, the only problems I had were
administration in the Netherlands with changing address.
Introduction: the first steps
A week before the courses would start an introduction week was organized. As said before all the
relevant information, tips and guidelines were provided. Clear things in an logical way were told, first
sign in at the residents house, then go to the bank for the student union fee which has to be paid the
university, go to the healthcare for a free insurance etc. On that way we are going to have a small tour
through the university (organized by local students), and on another day we sign in for the courses
together with help from local students.
I did had a buddy, signed in before I went. However due to administrative failures I received an email
from my buddy before the courses started, I already finished every administrative and other tasks
which were necessary before I knew who my buddy was. However my buddy helped me also with
things during the semester, so it was helpful, only in the beginning period it was not really good.
Housing
In the Erasmus guide on the website of the University an organization was recommended to look for
housing. This was an organization called OEAD, special for the exchange students. Here you could
sign in and give your preferences for certain houses. You have to pay 700 euro’s which you will get
back at the end of the semester when you do not destroy the apartment you receive. A month before I
went I received the place where I was going to live in for a semester. It was really great, a room with
own bathroom in a big student residence (around 90 people). Kind of out of the center, around 20
minutes but this did not matter since a nice bike ride alongside the Inn is not a problem and the public
transport (you can buy a semester ticket) is really well organized. Buses drive frequent, at my place
every five minutes a bus would go to the center.
The landlord was really helpful (only German speaking), and the place was mixed exchange and local
students. At the fifth floor I did not had many problems with noisy parties at the first floor. A big
kitchen and place to eat at every floor was sufficient for the 20 people I lived with at my floor. I was
really satisfied with my place. I had to pay 280 per month which is really cheap compared to the Dutch
room I had.
You can also sign in for a double room which is even more cheaper, but I am not that kind of person to
share a room for a semester with a person I did not know. But many people did this as well and liked it
very much. You can check the website for more information.
(http://www.housing.oead.ac.at/innsbruck_e/unterkunft.asp?keyword=innsbruck)
Cost of living
Next to the Erasmus grant I received which was sufficient for the rent I had to pay, I also had a loan
from the government which I have to pay back eventually. I took this loan due to the fact that I needed
it for living but also for really enjoying my time abroad. I never had a loan and for the exchange I
thought I could use it for travelling around because exchange has to be special.
Between Austria and The Netherlands the differences in costs is not that high. But it has to be said that
I know where to buy things cheap in Holland and when I went to Innsbruck, I did not know that. In the
beginning it seemed more expensive but after a while I found the cheaper places to buy stuff. The
most money I spend on travelling around which I also would advice other people going abroad. You
have different closer opportunities which are from your home town, too expensive to go to but from in
my place Austria, Slovenia and Italy was to close that it was cheaper to go to.
Budget
-
Housing: 280 + 10 euro administrative costs
-
Food: 200
-
Transport: 60
-
Books: I rented my books in the library, only bought one copy from 20 euro.
-
Miscellaneous: 200
Academic Calender
My arrival date was the 13th of February and the introduction week started at the 28th of February. The
first day of classes were on the fifth of march until the 13th of July (last exam).
Holidays were around Easter for two weeks.Next to this holidays you have at Christian days also free.
The examination period is in the middle of july but it depends on the course if the exam is also in this
period. They decide this themselves.
The International Office
Per faculty there are different ways for exchange students to receive help. There is an international
office but I studied at the Business and Management faculty (SOWI) where the exchange coordinators
were sufficient and very helpful. I did not had much contact with the international office.
The exchange coordinators were very nice and helpful which was a real good factor of my exchange.
The information was in detail, in steps and clear.
Promoting Tilburg University
Next to the promoting via many conversations with students (because they didn’t know Tilburg in the
first place) I was supposed to present about the university. Prepared with presentation etc. but they
gave me the wrong room number and after finally a response I did not hear anything anymore for other
opportunities. However the exchange coordinators were very satisfied with me so I hope in that way
that the promoting of Tilburg University might also be better.
Social Activities
The University and IESN do organize activities. At the University itself some drinks, in front of the
University once a small festival and dinner which was really nice. And IESN where you have to pay
five euro’s and in return parties, dinners, cooking lessons, sport activities etcetera to a small amount of
money is also a real good way to get in touch with local and exchange students. I did had contact with
local students via my buddy, living in the city and my room. I have to say that I had more contact with
exchange students because of my room, the lessons (which were with many exchange students).
Next to staying in innsbruck, I travelled to Italy, through Austria and Slovenia.
Culture and Language
In the beginning I had some kind of culture shock which was quite dramatic, but after help from the
exchange coordinators with some readings on it, it was not for the long term. I did not know much
about it, just heard from it but did not took it really seriously since I was just going to Austria.
However the first days I had some problems, one day I did not go out of my room. Reasons were I
think not leaving in a smooth way but in a rush, some things in personal spheres and the new place for
not just a week but for six months.
Comparing it to the Netherland I would say that there are not really major differences, but just small
ones like enjoying your life and take everything a little bit slower. In the Netherlands everything has to
be efficient and fast, but Austria is not like that. When you see the differences in culture, you will
learn a lot about your own culture but also about others.
I did not had many expectations about the host culture but the expectations due to earlier visits in
Austria were similar and I just loved it.
The culture of Austria as I saw it was really easy-going but introvert. When you speak to them, they
will like it, especially when you do it in German language. That is a major factor, if you speak German
you really get accepted better. Sports and culture are very important, and living with people instead of
living alone. Also the trust in people is very high, that is what I really found interesting. For example I
bought a semesterticket for the bus but just once in the five months I got checked if I really had it. I
think that because I went several times to Austria and the culture is not that different, I did not really
notice so much differences. Another thing was that the major house (just some rooms) was in an
shopping mall instead of like in Holland in a separate big building.
I liked the easy-going and hostile way of living and I did not had really things which I hate or do not
like since I had a great time.
I did learn some things about the other culture, since I also with a course took at one assignment
Austria as topic. However since I only studied there and just for five months is I think not enough to
know the culture, when I once maybe will go back and for longer I definitely want to learn the culture
in a better way.
Travelling around in Slovenia did not showed much differences, very hostile and helpful but to Italy
the differences occurred in for example less helpful, more extrovert, just the mediterrean things.
Since I already knew some German, I did not find major problems on my faculty, also I took a course
at German B2 which was really challenging, Those were especially for Erasmus students.
Personal Development
The exchange experience was really good for my personal development. Spending five months really
on my own without any influence from home were really good for myself. What I did on exchange I
had never done before, which was really enjoying life to the maximum. Went I had some free time I
went out of the house into the mountains or just riding my bike around, I never did this at home. Now
I know for sure that I want to do something with cultural differences and a dream of helping people
and other personal things. I would say that my exchange period was really a personal discovery
instead a social experience. The reason for this was that before I went to Innsbruck, I guided via IESN
Erasmus students in Tilburg. I had actually a little bit of an exchange semester at home. When I got in
Innsbruck I did not want to have the same experience (especially the partying part), but really do the
things I want them to go, which is of course quite selfish but I thought this was necessary for my own.
What I would do different if I could do it again, was learning the German language more intensive and
maybe start things a little bit earlier. Especially preparation might be better.
Quite funny was that my worst experience was changing address via the Dutch system. When they
asked me in Austria about problems, I only could mention the changing address at home, it took me 3
months. This was quite frustrating.
My best experience is the surroundings and making use of those surrounding in Innsbruck. Nature is
beautiful. Another really nice experience was intense contact with my Taiwanese friend, Dennis
(European name). The Taiwanese people and I think also Asian people are very grateful when you do
things, are most of the times very enthusiastic when you ask them things.
The most important lesson that I have learned is that I need to go out, sport, enjoy nature, just
sometimes not always do what I want to do without listening to others.
III ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Academic level at a host university
The language depends on the course, at the Bachelor level many courses are in German but also some
courses are in English language. I did thought of following courses in the German language, but since
I had to succeed in every course, it was quite a risk to follow a course in academic German. I was able
to speak and listen but Academic German is even more difficult than just the regular German
language.
I took courses which were on the field of International Management, Communication, Entrepeneurship
and Critical Management. I took this in the first place because I want to do a master in Managing
Cultural Diversity and with those courses I have more chance. Also because those were in English the
decision was not hard. I have heard from some people who took German courses and did not speak
that good German, that they had really problems with it. Some teachers are really nice but others do
have a thing against exchange students. I would recommend when you have the same thing as me,
have to succeed every course and paying back the Erasmus grant when you don’t, take the English
courses.
The academic level was almost the same as in Holland although the teaching was really different and I
think better for me. I was very interactive, constant practical, assignment, presentations. I had an
online course, a course just on three Saturdays, one course for three hours and 45 minutes etc. Very
diverse which was really motivating. The workload was high but not that high that you cannot do
anything. I was really studying abroad combined with also much free time.
The classes were small (maximum 30 students), which made the contact with the teachers close and
intense.
Overall I was really happy with my achievements in succeeding every course at Innsbruck University,
I was really motivated as I was never before and this also came back in my grades (German system, 1,
1, 1, 2, 2, which is 1 the highest and 5 the lowest).

How would you describe the relationship between the students and the teaching staff?

In general, were you happy with your academic achievements during your exchange?
Exams
This was also a diversified aspect, from the five courses I took, three were with an exam. One course
was with a final paper, another with end presentation and business plan. The other three were with an
exam which was just for one and a half hour with six questions. Just enough time. For critical
management I had to choose two questions from the four that were given.
Other
There were around four libraries spread over different faculties, with everything you need to have.
Many places for your laptop and also public computers.
All courses were at Bachelor level.
Course
Prerequisites
Exam
ECTS
Comments
International
None
Written and end
7,5
Interactive course,
presentation/project
Management
group assignment.
Pratical and medium
difficulty
Intercultural
None
Final paper
7,5
Online-course, weekly
assignment
communication
Practical and easy
International
None
End project and
7,5
presentations
entrepreneurship
Three full days, many
things to do in your
group at other
moments.
Practical and medium
difficulty
Critical management
None
Written exam and
end presentation
7,5
Interactive course
Theoretical/practical
and difficult
Erasmus German II
‘entrance’ home
Written and oral
exam, not
exam
6
Language, weekly
course.
obligatory but
Practical and medium
to see which
difficulty.
level you have
Tips for the future students:

Would you recommend an exchange period?
Yes, I would definitely recommend an exchange period. The first reason for this is that you get
different perspectives on life. A new environment, new people, new university, new way of
teaching. Those new experiences make you think differently on certain aspects of life. For me
I had goals of finding what I want in life, finding out how I can best do it and just be on
myself for five months. This period was really helpful and really motivates me again for
studying.

Would you recommend your host university?
When you love the mountains, nature, a new way of teaching (interactive, no lectures etc.),
sports especially and the typical Austrian food (Schnitzel, Apfelstrudl), Innsbruck is the best
place. It is between the mountains and sports is central.

What should prospective students absolutely not forget before going on exchange?
Setting some goals, achievement points was really helpful. It made my exchange complete
when I had all my grades, went to Hallstatt (small village) and spent a lot of time alone in the
mountains or surroundings.
Do not stop with your Dutch Cellphone agreement on the day you leave from Holland. Saves
you a lot of problems, also arrange that someone who is allowed to arrange things for you at
home (mom or dad). Saves you again many problems.
But keep open-minded and let things happen. Things go wrong but just let them go wrong and
you will find the solution (an example is with the courses, I selected courses which when I
came in Innsbruck were not possible anymore.

How can they better prepare before going on exchange to this destination?
German language has been really useful in Innsbruck, when you speak and understand
German you will be accepted easier and can arrange things more easier than you do not
understand any German language.
Figure out if you would like to do some sports like skiing in what way it might be the best.

Was there anything you should have arranged before departure that you haven’t?
Yes, sending a form to DUO and ING that my mom or dad are allowed to arrange things for
me.
A picture is worth a thousand words
If you took any pictures or made any videos that you would like to share with future exchange
students, please include them (or e-mail them separately). Pictures that show your daily life or
symbolize your exchange period are especially interesting for future exchange students.
Blog
If you kept a (photo) blog during your exchange that you would like to share (e.g.:
www.waarbenjijnu.nl, www.blipfoto.com) with future exchange students, please let us know the URL.
http://jeanpierregossieau.waarbenjij.nu/
Contact details: jpgossieau@gmail.com
Can the International Relations Office share your e-mail address with prospective exchange students,
so that other students can contact you for more information? If yes, make sure to write down you email address on the first page of this report.
Of course they are allowed!