Student Exchange in Vienna

By: Barak Broitman

“It took me some time to get used to the politeness of the Austrians”, I said in a discussion regarding cultural differences in one of my classes. “What?”, one of my classmates, a local student, couldn’t help responding surprisingly. “Yes. For example, when the train or the bus stops, everyone waits patiently until the last person exits it, and just then enters”. “Didn't you feel that Austrians are rude, bumping into everyone on their way out of the train station?”, she insisted. Well, they sure perceive manners differently from us, I thought, while imagining how it goes in any train station in Israel on a Sunday morning :)

This was just one of many moments when I realized my differences from my classmates in terms of culture and perspective. But my experience as an exchange student at WU - Vienna University of Economics and Business (or Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, if you insist on the German way) was more than just cultural differences. I had a wonderful experience, and here are some of my remarks:

First of all - look at the WU campus. I often found myself staring at the buildings and examining the architecture. It is a beautiful and newly built campus, although the university was established in 1898. But it’s not just beautiful. It is a great place to study in. The university offers a variety of courses and opportunities for incoming students to integrate and enjoy the experience.

Just like at Reicman University, the studies at WU focus on learning by doing. In many of my courses, we were required to work in small groups on assignments, projects, and presentations, which allowed me to develop my teamwork and communication skills. As a student of the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship, I felt confident to present in class since we practice group presentations in many courses at Reichman University and are given constructive feedback to help us improve. Delivering a presentation in English is challenging, of course, but that leads me to my next point:

One of the most significant aspects of my exchange semester was the opportunity to improve my English skills. Although I had been pretty fluent in the language, living in a foreign country forced me to speak the language all the time.It was challenging at first to study in English, but after hearing and speaking English so much, you begin thinking in English, and the challenge is gone.

In addition to the academic and cultural experiences I had during my exchange semester, one of the most rewarding aspects was the opportunity to make new friends. Despite being in a foreign country and not knowing anyone at the start of my semester, I was able to make a number of close connections with fellow incoming students and locals. This was made easier by the fact that WU University and the city of Vienna are very welcoming and international, with a diverse student community. Through various social events and activities, I was able to meet people from all around the world and form lasting friendships. Having friends from Sweden, Finland, and Norway was something I never thought would happen during my exchange. For that, and for all of the fun we had, I am so grateful.

Overall, my exchange semester in Vienna was an incredibly enriching experience that I will always look back on with fond memories. I am grateful for the opportunity to have lived in another country and to have learned so much about the world and about myself. I feel that my time abroad has not only improved my English skills but also broadened my cultural understanding and enhanced my ability to work effectively in a global business environment. I would highly recommend a student exchange semester to anyone who is interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the world and improving their language skills. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Barak Broitman is a third-year Entrepreneurship & Business Administration student, and a member of The Honors Program in Business.