University of New Orlearns
Want to Experience the Adventure of your Life? Welcome to the “Big Easy”!
Julia Heiss and Valentina Carlotto
If you are interested in America and would like to learn more about its culture, spending a period of time in the States is definitely the best way to do so. Whether you wish to complete part of your studies, improve your English skills or enrich your curriculum, the University of Innsbruck has got you covered. Since 1976, students have in fact been given the exciting opportunity to spend up to two semesters at UNO, New Orleans’ prestigious university. With 44 academic programs to choose from and the reliability of a well-established partnership between the two institutions, this could be your chance to broaden your horizons and fall in love with the unique mix of history, culture and architecture that Louisiana’s largest city has to offer. To obtain a better insight as to what your very first period abroad might look like, we have asked Valerie, a Master’s student in Political Science who has been away for only 5 weeks, to share her initial impressions with us.
For students who, like her, would like to spend the spring term in the US, the “bureaucratic burden” starts in September, when the first relevant documentation needs to be submitted. “It may seem intimidating initially,” she admits, “but the accurate instructions on the webpage will easily guide you through the application process.” To begin with, the academic dean should approve your study program: In this manner, you can be sure that your home university will automatically recognize any credits obtained abroad. Next, it is important to obtain a student visa and travel insurance. The final steps involve booking the flight and finding accommodation, which for most students consists of applying for a place at UNO’s main campus. Then, before you even realize the organizational part is over, the moment has come to go through the packing checklist one last time and say goodbye to family and friends. Next thing you know, you are in Munich and ready to board a plane to New Orleans with a stopover in London: your new adventure can finally begin.
Studying abroad is not always a cheap option. “In many cases, it is more expensive than staying in one’s home country, actually,” confirms Valerie, “but I am really glad I could apply for a scholarship to partially cover travel and living expenses.” While living in a new country can be very exciting, a period of adjustment is to be expected: “I have definitely experienced a degree of culture shock, and I quickly had to get used to a lot of new things,” says Valerie. She lives in a comfortable apartment on campus with three other international students. Although they all have their own bedroom, if they are at home, you will most likely find them cooking together in the kitchen or chatting in the common living area. Generally speaking, meeting new friends and starting conversations is not particularly hard. At university, for example, people seem to have a genuine interest in international students, so small talk often comes very naturally. Similarly, locals met off campus seem just as friendly, reports our interviewee. “People hardly ever rush, and it always surprises us how helpful everybody is — though we still have to properly get used to the southern American accent.”
Valerie is currently taking four graduate courses at the Department of Political Science and is very satisfied with her classes, though the workload seems to be quite heavy. Professors, however, are clearly eager to stimulate their students’ interest: “I was very impressed with the American university system and the close relationship students have with their instructors. The professors are very keen on hearing our opinions and really encourage us to ask questions and engage in discussions.” Moreover, thanks to the information meeting that the Center New Orleans organizes twice a year in Innsbruck, Valerie was already well informed about the exchange program: “Because of the partnership between the two universities, I was aware of UNO’s excellent reputation. Thanks to the exchange of information and the feedback from other students, I felt like I was well prepared for this adventure.”
In terms of entertainment, the city offers a huge variety of leisure activities which will prevent you from ever feeling bored. Often described as one of the world’s most fascinating cities, New Orleans is a real melting pot of cultures, food and music. “The combination of Caribbean, African, American and European remnants gives it a kind of flair that in my opinion is very unique,” explains Valerie enthusiastically. The city, which celebrated its 300th anniversary last year, is known for its history, architecture and, above all, for its creativity: “Living and studying in New Orleans is exciting because there is always something going on: live music, parades, street performances, you name it!” The food, the festivals, the many green spaces, jazz and other forms of local music one constantly hears — all these famous attributes of the city give New Orleans a powerful sense of identity. Thrilled by this great diversity, our interviewee adds: “This is such a beautiful and culturally rich place to explore — I feel like I don’t really have the time to feel homesick!”
Beyond a shadow of doubt, international experience and intercultural skills are highly valued by employers and will look good on your academic record. Well aware of this, Valerie emphasis how studying abroad is an opportunity that more people should take advantage of: “It’s an experience you will never forget, and you will always be grateful for it. You will make friends from all over the world and gain a much deeper understanding of other cultures.” When asked about her own incentives to apply for admission to the University of New Orleans, Valerie is quick to answer: “The opportunity to spend an extended period of time experiencing a culture other than my own was a huge part of the appeal of studying abroad. This gives you not only the possibility to meet new people and further improve your language skills, but it also helps you to become more independent and global-minded.”