After completing Beginning German I and II at Montclair State University, I decided to apply for the Overseas Neighbors scholarship to spend one year studying in Graz, Austria. It was time for me to take my interest in speaking German to a new level by living in Austria and experiencing the culture firsthand. Looking back on it now, I marvel at what an incredible opportunity I had and how much I benefited from my time in Graz.
Graz is the second largest city in Austria, located only two and a half hours from Vienna by train, and it is surely one of the most exciting programs offered through Study Abroad. In addition to the benefits of studying at one of the best universities in Austria, the Buergermeister’s office and Overseas Neighbors in Graz personally look after Montclair students. They provided me with the opportunity to enjoy both opera and theatre and introduced me to natives from Graz who were more than willing to welcome us to their city.
You’ve probably heard students say that studying abroad changed their lives. My experiences were no exception! I found a myriad of new opportunities and experiences just waiting to be taken advantage of. The university is home to many international students who are eager to speak German and always ready to have a good time. After taking classes ranging from international law to classical German literature, my perspectives have broadened.
A big part of the excitement of studying in Graz was that it gave me the opportunity to do things I had never done before. Meeting people and being able to have conversations with my Austrian roommates and neighbors made me feel connected to the world in a new way. Here’s a short list of just some of the great memories I have: hiking to a salt mine; teaching English to students from kindergarten through age twelve; visiting endless art museums; participating in joint studies with the University of Maribor, Slovenia; making guest appearances on a Graz radio station, Radio Helsinki; drinking multiple cups of coffee in Vienna; schnitzel and beer; buschenshranks; opera and theatre; buying bread.
I took advantage of my time to travel with friends to neighboring countries– Prague, Budapest, and Vienna were all on our list of places to see. Some of my favorite memories though, come from my daily life in Graz: the friendly faces I came to know at my local bakery; long walks through the Stadtpark; discos and balls.
One of my favorite experiences took place after a two-day project with Slovenian students from Lublijana. Along with a few Americans and Austrian law students, the two Universities held a mock meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Committee with a former Ambassador to the U.N. During this time of interaction with the other students, my world view broadened as I listened to their different perspectives. After the close of the sessions I enjoyed a glass of wine with the Austrian students. Their hospitality toward me and my being able to understand much of their conversation in German were the best rewards I could have from my year abroad.
These moments were thrilling and are a part of my education that have shaped my life as much as the rest of my college education. I would encourage anyone interested in foreign language and culture to take advantage of the Overseas Neighbors program because you have to see it to believe it.