Have you been thinking about the Erasmus+ student exchange programme? Are you drawn to other countries and cultures? Or do you simply want to meet new people and step out of your comfort zone?
My name is Dārta, and I’m an Erasmus student from Latvia spending my summer semester at Hochschule Burgenland. I came here to continue my Bachelor in Media Communication Studies, but I ended up taking a few courses in Social Work and Business Studies too.
Thinking about Erasmus+ can be exciting, but also a little scary. Will I make friends? Will the studies be difficult? What about the language barrier? I’ll be away from my friends and family for so long – will it even be worth it?
Especially if you’ve never been away from home for an extended period of time, the experience can bring uncertainty, fear, and doubt. That’s why I want to share my story – to give you a bit of clarity and a glimpse of what you might expect. When I was deciding whether to apply, reading other students‘ experiences really helped me to make my decision. I hope this helps you too.
I’d been curious about student exchanges since high school but never had the chance. When I got into university and had the opportunity, I knew I had to take it. I loved the idea of discovering something completely new. I was eager to meet new people, experience a different academic environment and culture and see what it would be like to live on my own in another country.
The preparation took a lot of time, so I am glad that I did it early. I had to find suitable courses, handle paperwork and figure out accommodation. At first, I focused on finding an apartment because I wanted to bring my dog. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything affordable or practical, so I opted for a dorm and left my dog with my parents.
Even though I miss her a lot, I’m so glad I stayed in the dorm because, as I like to say, that’s where all the magic happens! I remember my mom telling me stories about her time living in a dorm and now I finally understand what she meant. We’re always spending time together – hanging out in the kitchen, playing games, cooking, having parties, planning trips. We’ve become like one big family.
One of my favourite parts has been the international dinner evenings, where Erasmus students cook dishes from their home countries. It’s a beautiful way to explore new flavours, cultures, and traditions. I once made a Latvian dessert – bread soup, which to my surprise, everyone loved so much that they kept talking about it afterwards!
Everyone’s workload is different, depending on their courses and study programs. For me, it was a bit challenging – I had to juggle my studies here with a research paper for my home university and an internship. But with good time management I managed to handle everything,while still travelling and exploring Austria and nearby countries. Other Erasmus students I spoke to, said the same thing – it’s definitely doable.
I love the study environment at Hochschule Burgenland. The welcome from the university was so warm, including a guided tour of the city centre and even a wine-tasting evening! We’ve had more excursions since, including a visit to Vienna and the parliament buildings. The overall atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. I really appreciate the class structure, which includes frequent breaks and engaging discussions. Compared to my home university, I feel less academic pressure, which has helped me to focus better and feel calmer – I rarely experience anxiety anymore.
One of my favourite things about Erasmus is the opportunity to travel. For someone anxious about flying, travelling by train has been such a relief – and a joy. Eisenstadt is perfectly located for exploring Austria and its neighbouring countries like Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. My favourite places in Austria so far have been Tyrol and Graz.
Of coursethere have been ups and downs. The first month was the hardest. Even though everything around me was great – I had my own space, time to adjust, and met kind, helpful people – I still struggled to feel at home. I missed my life back in Latvia and felt lost. I was experiencing what many do: the uneasinessof stepping out of my comfort zone.
What helped me was time. I realised that the whole point of leaving your comfort zone is to gradually find comfort in new things. I started a new morning routine, stayed in touch with my friends back home, said yes to more invitations and spent more time with fellow students. Eventually, something clicked. I felt at ease. Since then, I’ve been enjoying every single day with gratitude and joy. I know this is a unique experienceand I’m trying to make the most of every moment. It’s so interesting how these feelings can change.
This adventurehas given me so much more than I expected. I’ve made friends and connections, visited new places, climbed mountains, felt deep freedom and learned a lot about myself. I’ve cried, gone on spontaneous trips, tried unfamiliar foods, learned new words and even letters I’d never seen before, taken endless photos, laughedand felt so grateful for this life.
I’ll truly miss this place – the sunsets on the rooftop, the trips, the abundance of vegan products, the waterfalls and birds, the badminton games, movie nights, shared meals, jokes and most of all – the people. It is not about the studies or parties. It is about discovering something new about yourself, facing your fears, and finding a different perspective.
That is my little experience. So if you’re still wondering whether it’s worth it, here’s my answer: it absolutely is.
Text and photos were kindly provided by Dārta. Many thanks!