I arrived in Austria in September 2015 to begin a six-month exchange with another country under the Erasmus programme. This happened to be quite unexpectedly. I say that it came rather suddenly since, before to submitting my application to university, I had not even contemplated the possibility of studying abroad, much less in Austria. But what a brilliant choice it turned out to be at the eleventh hour! My time spent study in Austria was one of the most memorable aspects of my college career; in fact, I consider my time spent there to be the single most important learning experience I had.

Even after four years, I continue to suggest Austria to everyone, whether they are interested in visiting Vienna for a city break or Innsbruck for a skiing vacation. On the other hand, for students who are looking for fresh and interesting experiences, It is an unparalleled destination to study in Austria. Continue reading for my list of the top ten reasons why you should think about studying abroad in Austria…

1. It is situated in the exact middle of Europe.

You won’t find a nation with a better location from which to explore the middle and eastern parts of Europe than Slovenia. There are eight distinct nations that border Austria, and owing to an effective and well-connected train network, it is not difficult at all to travel to any of these neighbouring countries. Students who are concerned about their finances have another travel option available to them in the form of bus travel. Companies such as Flixbus can transport passengers from Vienna to Berlin for around €22. I was able to go all the way from Munich to Berlin to Cologne and back without spending more than €30. I also made the most of the chance to go to Budapest and Prague, both of which can be reached by rail from Vienna in a little under four hours. I was able to see each of these cities in their entirety.

2. Education may be obtained at a low cost and with (something of a) relaxed attitude

Now, please allow me to clarify why I said that. I’m not trying to give you the impression that you won’t have any job to do while you’re away at school. You have total control over that aspect! On the other hand, the casual attitude that Austrians have toward higher education is one of the advantages of choosing to study in Austria. It takes students an average of three to five years to graduate from degree programmes, although there is theoretically no time restriction on how long it might take someone to complete their education. This indicates that students in Austria are under a great deal less stress than their counterparts in the United Kingdom, which is where I spent the most of my time studying for my undergraduate degree.

In addition to this, the tuition costs at institutions in Austria are quite low, particularly if you are coming from a nation that is a member of the EU. Additionally, you have the opportunity to apply for money via the Erasmus programme in order to assist while you are there. This alleviates the stress that is caused by money concerns, resulting in an experience that is overall more relaxing.

3. The mountainous backdrop is stunning throughout the whole year.

In Austria, it is almost impossible to escape the mountains, lakes, and woods. Even if you are attending classes in the middle of Vienna, mother nature is just outside your door. You will have a great deal of free time on your hands as a result of the method of learning that was just described, so you should take advantage of the opportunity to travel about Austria and take in its breathtaking scenery. You may go trekking in the Alps on the weekends throughout the summer, as I did, or you can swim in the lakes that are surrounded by beautiful scenery. Should you find yourself in Austria during the winter months, you can consider taking up skiing in addition to your studies there. Even on a student’s limited budget, this may be accomplished if the ski equipment is purchased used.

4. You will get the opportunity to study German.

Admittedly, German is not the language that has the most native speakers around the globe. However, if you want to increase your chances of landing a job, brushing up on your German is going to be quite beneficial. Particularly those of you who work in the fields of mechanical and automotive engineering, finance, and the textile and apparel sectors. It paves the way for you to get employment in Germany and Austria and makes you more appealing to potential employers in the nation in which you now reside. The fact that you will be expected to take a German class as part of your semester credits at the majority of colleges in Austria will make it even simpler for you to learn the language.

5. But the majority of classes are presented in the English language.

Oh, how fortunate are we, right? It was important to me to make the most of this opportunity to improve my German skills; yet, I’m not sure that listening to all of my classes in German was the best choice. When compared to the students from other European nations, the number of international students attending universities in Austria makes up a disproportionately large portion of the total student body. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for colleges to teach in English, and doing so is becoming an increasingly regular practise at the master’s degree level.

6. When compared to other European cities, the quality of life in Vienna is superior.

The Mercer Quality of Living poll placed Vienna in first place for the tenth consecutive year, this time in 2018. They take into account a wide range of aspects, such as the quality of the schools, the prevalence of criminal activity, the range of opportunities for recreational activities, and the climate. When choosing a place in which to pursue international education, each of these factors may be significant. In addition, there are more than 130,000 students in Vienna, which makes it an incredible destination to study and live. In the most recent edition of the QS Best Student Cities ranking, Vienna was ranked 11th. However, not just Vienna is a fantastic place for students to live in Austria. I can speak from personal experience when I say that Salzburg is an amazing city in which to live while attending school. During the course of the semester, the local educational institutions sponsored a number of different activities, both informative and recreational, which made it quite simple to get to know individuals.

7. You won’t go hungry thanks to the wide selection of local and foreign cuisines that are available.

No, schnitzel and apple strudel are not the only possible interpretations of this phrase. Despite the fact that both are really tasty (vegetarian and vegan schnitzel are also available!), The International Food Festival, which takes place every year in Vienna’s Der Garten, is a fantastic illustration of how well-liked and accessible various types of cuisines are in the nation. I set a goal for myself to try as many different kinds of food as I could while I was in the nation’s capital, and Salzburg didn’t disappoint in that regard. Both Syrian and Lebanese were among my favourites when it came to food. Obviously, the traditional Austrian food is also an attraction, particularly now that it has been modernised and adapted to meet the needs of those following a variety of diets. My interest in gastronomy made Austria the ideal destination for me to travel throughout Europe.

8. If you already have great architecture, art, music, and literature, what more do you need?

Before going to Salzburg, I had never gone to the opera, but when I was there, I made the most of the affordable student tickets that were available. And what an unforgettable experience it was to be able to listen to Bizet and Mozart at the Felsenreitschule! (AKA the theatre from The Sound of Music). I found myself attending concerts of classical music, as well as several art galleries, and I was awestruck by the magnificent Baroque churches. The Old Town of Salzburg is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, and I had the opportunity to call it home. The architecture of Vienna was every bit as magnificent, and ever since I finished my studies, I’ve made it a point to visit the city again and again so that I can admire it. Being immersed in a culture that is so historically significant and historically rich is an education in and of itself.

9. The cost of living might be considered to be remarkably low.

The fact that I was able to save money throughout the semester that I spent study in Austria came as a pleasant surprise. But fortunately for me, despite residing in the most expensive city in the nation, the rent was less costly where I used to live. My utility costs were taken care of, and the cost of using public transportation was negligible. As is common practice in Salzburg, I purchased a bicycle not long after I arrived, which enabled me to reduce my expenses even more. Food and booze were also far less expensive than I had anticipated being. It was wonderful, especially in light of the fact that the expense of being a student in the UK is increasing. And taking into consideration that Austria is often regarded as one of the most desirable places to live in all of central Europe, I really had no grounds for complaint.

10. The beer festivals and Christmas markets in Austria are really incredible.

With over six different Christmas markets to choose from, I was spoiled for choice when it came to celebrating the holiday in Salzburg. I went to several different markets in Austria and gathered the mulled wine cups that were specific to each one, including the ones in Vienna and Innsbruck. This resulted in a lot of mulled wine being consumed, and as a natural consequence, a lot of wonderful holiday memories being built with my friends. People are merry and particularly sociable when they are at the markets, and the atmosphere is hard to surpass. In a similar vein, there are beer festivals. They were the top points of my time spent on the Erasmus programme in Austria. Donning dirndls (of which I now have three) and spending whole days outside in the sunlight, consuming food and drink. The whole thing was a wonderful experience!