Type of housing: My boyfriend's flat

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: the same

Why? My boyfriend is Austrian, I met him in England, and it's the reason why i'm here now.

Personal comments:
I've heard from other students in Graz that the students'accommodation were terrible... I think everything is hard at the beginning, we just have to get use to it! Nothing is impossible! I spent 1 year in Exeter in England; the accommodation were terrible! the bedroom looked like a jail of 9m², sharing kitchen and "bathroom" with 11 other unknown people... maybe you won't believe it, but it has been the most wonderful year I spent! Just take it easy!

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Personal comments:
I'm just learning german, and the german location names sound still terrible to remember if I don't see them written!!! There is this one pub, close to the University, that I call "Students' Pub". Everybody knows it here! It's packed very early, but it's a good place to meet people! There's also a Karaoke pub, that I don't remember the name neither... was it something like "3 Monkeys"...? I'm not sure, but it's really nice on Tuesday! All the Bier Festival, and national events are also good to see, the Austrian culture is really nice and friendly!

Course recommendations:
Well, I'm not an ordinary student. I'm learning german in a school (Vorstudentlergang), which is a prerequisite before learning at the University. I have 5 hours german a day, and the courses are really well done. Regarding the University itself, I know that it's hard sometimes to get the courses you want because of too many demands (students are queuing since 4 in the morning!!!!), but the communication with teachers (the good ones of course!) is really good.

Personal comments:
There is really too many papers to fill in! But this is not only regarding the academic life! That's the way it is, we have to get used to it! It's only 2 months I'm here, but everything is wonderful the hard start!

Language of instruction: Gujarati

Main source of funding:
Personal savings

Other sources of funding:
Family

Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits:
I have the chance to live in my boyfriend's flat, so I don't spend more than in my parents' house! The food is quite cheap, especially in the "students' restaurants"! You can eat Schnizels for very cheap around the University! The nightlife is also very cheap compared to France, although the concept is different; here it's more Pubs than Clubs, that explains the difference of the price you pay (160 ATS in France to get into a Club, and here between 20 ATS and 50 ATS!)

Telephone, Housing: was the same price as at home.

Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
Everybody should go abroad! I've been for 6 months to Los Angeles, then right the way for 1 year in Exeter in England, and 3 weeks later, I was in Austria! When you start travelling, you can't stop it anymore! It's a real passion to discover other ways of life! Although now I'll settle down here! Before you go? Keep in your mind the beginning will probably be hard! But it worth it!

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!