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Mauricio studied on high school in Austria

Mauricio from Mexico went on an exchange to Austria.

Deciding to go on an exchange with STS

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a year on exchange in Austria. It was an unforgettable experience that lasted a full school year, from September to June. I chose to do this exchange because I wanted to experience something different before finishing high school, something that would allow me to grow both personally and academically. My brother also influenced my decision of the exchange year since he was also in one

I chose Austria for several reasons. I was always fascinated by the culture, history, and, of course, its stunning Alpine landscapes. Additionally, I wanted to learn German and immerse myself in a European culture different from my own.

I chose STS because it had good recommendations and an organized process. Also, my brother was on an exchange 3 years before me. I am very happy with them; they made the whole process smooth and were available for any questions or problems that arose.

I also found the school quite easy thanks to the help of STS, the exchange organization I traveled with. They took care of everything, from enrollment to finding a host family.

Finding new hobbies

In my spare time, I discovered how much I like exercising and taking care of my body and did many activities like running, climbing, and hiking. I learned to ski in the Alps, something I had never done before. I also even took surfing classes and learned a lot about the culture and foods.

Creating new friendships

Making friends was a mix of easy and hard. At first, the language barrier was a challenge, but over time and with a lot of practice, my German improved, and I was able to communicate better. My classmates were very friendly and helped me a lot. I also met other friends from my home country who became really close to me to the point that saying goodbye was difficult.

Cultural differences – Austria vs Mexico

The differences between Austria and Mexico were significant. The pace of life, the food, the customs, and, of course, the language were very different. However, these differences were precisely what made the experience so enriching.

Expectations

My exchange year was not exactly as I expected; it was much better. There were challenges, like adapting to the language and the climate, but I overcame them with patience and effort. I learned to be more independent and to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations.

The positive aspects about going on an exchange

The best things about the exchange were the friendships I made, the new skills I acquired, and the unique experiences I had.

I absolutely recommend going on a high school exchange. Studying abroad opens your mind, challenges you, and allows you to grow in ways you never imagined. If someone asked me for advice, I would tell them to prepare for challenges but enjoy every moment. I might have studied more German before going, but I’m happy with how everything turned out.

I’m sure my exchange will positively affect my future. I’ve gained confidence, intercultural skills, and a third language that will surely benefit me in my professional and personal life.

In summary, my exchange year in Austria with STS was a transformative and highly recommended experience. If you have the chance, don’t hesitate and dare to live such an adventure!

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Alejandro chose to study in Austria

Alejandro from Monterrey, Mexico went on an exchange to Austria.

Why did you decide to go on an exchange?

I decided to come to Austria as an exchange student for one year because it seemed very fun and exciting. I have been in Austria for almost a year now, and I will finally go back to my family in less than two weeks.

New lessons learned

This year has been very interesting and fun. I have learned a lot of new things and met many new people. The school was very nice, and I also made many new friends very quickly. During the year, I faced many challenges—some easy and some very hard—but it was fun because each one taught me something new.

Favourite memories

Throughout the year, I also had a lot of fun skiing with my friends in winter, going to pool parties in summer, and attending many Austrian festivals. I will never forget the feeling of eating a schnitzel at the top of a mountain with my host family and becoming a better skier. Going out with friends was also very fun since there was almost always something exciting to do. The Austrian festivals were amazing; they taught me a lot about the culture and people.

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Eline spent a semester in Austria

Eline from the Netherlands spent an exchange semester in Austria.

I spent my exchange semester in Austria. I went to Austria because I wanted to learn German. I started learning German in school and really liked the language but did not really like studying it from a book. I wanted to learn a language by using it and that’s exactly what happened during my exchange year.

Settling into school life

I really enjoyed school. My classmates were really welcoming and understanding and never hesitated to help me when I needed it. My teachers were also lovely. Sometimes school was hard because it was all in German, but it became easier when my German got better.

Living with a host family

I really liked my host parents; they were kind and helpful. They have a bit of an accent, which in normal in Austria. This was challenging at times but also made it more fun because some words are different in Austrian German.

Cultural differences

I did have some cultural shocks, but they were minor because I had been to Austria multiple times before and it’s kind of like the Netherlands. But something I had to get used to be the lack of cycling.

Best memories of the year

One of my best memories is when I went to the cinema with my friends. We were the only ones there and could just joke and talk about the movie without bothering anyone. It was a German movie, and it was also nice to be able to ask my friends whenever I didn’t understand.

I went to Vienna quite often. I went with STS, my host mom, and friends I made through STS. I also visited Christmas Markets and did ice skating on the Rathausplatz which was fun. My advice: Don’t forget to go to the Christmas markets!

Advice for future exchange students

If you are wondering whether you should do an exchange, do it! It was one of the best things I ever did. It’s a life-changing experience that will change your future. You learn so much! The best of all you learn another language in a super fun way.

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Jaqueline was on an exchange year in Austria

Jaqueline from Mexico went on an exchange to Austria.

I hope this story can inspire someone to make an exchange year and have an experience as amazing as I did. I have been in Austria as an exchange student for 11 months.

Why did you decide to go on a high school exchange?

I did it because I have always wanted to learn German, and live in another country, and my parents were always supportive with that. At first it may be scary, but it is 100% worth taking the risk to do it.

Life abroad

Living in another country may sound difficult, because it’s not your language, you don’t know anybody, and literally everything is different. But everybody will be nice. They all understand that you don’t speak the language, and it is perfectly fine. You will make friends quickly and get used to the place. And it is fine to make mistakes, I lost two trains and got in three wrong buses at the beginning, and I still survived, it’s just part of the process.

Favorite memories

If anything, I loved discovering new things by myself. It felt great to achieve little things like being in the city alone or understanding somebody in the language I was learning. And for this I am most grateful to my friends. They were always patient with me, and always inspired me to keep learning. Today, I can communicate perfectly and fluently in their language, which I couldn’t at the beginning at all. It was also great to do and distract myself with activities. I loved going for a run, even just a walk through the city, and there are infinite options of activities or ways to spend time in. For example, I loved just taking a book and reading in a park or getting lunch with friends.

Being away from your family

It will always be hard to be away from family, but with the right people you will always feel at home. This is way getting to the end is the hardest. There are a lot of encountered feelings, being excited to see your family again, but knowing you must leave everything behind. And leaving the people I have the privilege to call my family now, is the hardest thing ever, after all their love and support. But I am happy I lived it and enjoyed it while I could.

So, if this can help anyone with deciding whether to make an exchange year or not, I hope you do. Because it is a time full of new things that you will never in your life live again. You will meet people who will always have you in their hearts. It is a time where you can experience everything, the good, the bad, the fun and the scary, and it is all part of it. So yes, I would recommend for everyone with the opportunity to do an exchange year and make as many memories as possible.

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