Fanning out in all Directions
Anyone who enjoys exchanges with foreign countries is in the right place at a University of Applied Sciences. Everything possible is done here to support contacts abroad and to enable mobility – from short stays at an international Summer School to a semester abroad or contact to Buddy students from all over the world.
Semester Abroad and Work Placement
Every year, thousands of UAS students go abroad to experience a foreign university for a semester or to complete a work placement. At some Universities of Applied Sciences such stays abroad are a required part of the curriculum. Where this is not the case, students who express the wish to breathe a bit of foreign air can also be accommodated.
Worldwide Networks
In order to offer students a large selection of study places abroad, each University of Applied Sciences has established a network of partner institutions that is constantly being expanded in all directions – from Scandinavia to Spain, from the Ukraine to Uruguay, from Australia to America. The necessary support during one’s studies and daily life abroad is also guaranteed, which is definitely of use to all those who must find their way around in a foreign country.
Double Degrees
Through the cooperation of Universities of Applied Sciences at home and partner institutions abroad, students who complete a part of their studies abroad can, in many cases, expect a double degree, which may also be useful later on should the student seek employment in the host country.
English
A solid knowledge of English is not only the basis for understanding specialised texts or for working in research. It also facilitates international contacts and stays abroad. In order for UAS graduates to be able to feel comfortable in an international environment, not only do nearly all study programmes contain English as a part of the curriculum, many specialised courses and lectures are offered in English. Dozens of Austrian UAS study programmes are even offered completely in English. And the trend is rising!
Further Foreign Languages
In addition to English, importance is placed on a second or third foreign language – depending on the study programme. French, Italian and Spanish are included in the standard offering of many Universities of Applied Science. Yet also Russian and other Eastern European languages, Scandinavian languages, Dutch, Chinese or Arabic are on offer to students and, depending on the focus of studies or the pursued field or activity abroad, complement their specialist knowledge in a meaningful way.
Summer Schools
Summer Academies abroad are the trend. Above all, participants in part-time UAS study programmes whose jobs do not allow them to spend an entire semester abroad like to make use of one- to two-week Summer School programmes to make international contacts. Foreign partner institutions often organise such compact seminars. It is also of interest to students and an inexpensive option to attend Summer Schools or be a part of the organising team of such at their own UASs to determine if a particular country might be of interest for a stay abroad.
International Offices
The respective “International Office” of a University of Applied Sciences is not only responsible for the “Incoming” (guest student at a domestic UAS) but also for the “Outgoing” (student of a domestic UAS spending a semester abroad). The International Office is a team of staff members that supports students in their contact with partner institutions abroad and helps Incoming students in all matters related to their arrival, studies and living situation.