Abbey - University of Vienna

Bachelors of Humanities / Laws (Honours)
Summer 23/24

Motivation 

The experience of travelling overseas is always exciting. But for me, the chance to study and learn overseas, was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I was so blessed by UQ to get to have. For me, there were three key motivations for going overseas:
(1) Widening my perspectives through diversifying my experiences, connections and academic mentors
(2) Getting to travel and explore a new place whilst learning independence and life skills
(3) Advancing my studies through gaining credit for my degree 

Personal Development 

During my exchange at the University of Vienna, I studied various aspects of International Law – including international courts and tribunals, human rights and selected other issues of international law – before having a taste of Austrian examinations. In Zurich, alongside students from the University of Queensland and universities in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, I gave a 20-minute presentation outlining my findings on research into one aspect of cybercrime, namely online romance scams. Whilst certainly a unique and interesting topic, online romance scams are creating increasing complexities for law enforcement agencies, dating sites and individuals looking for love online. Following my presentation, I received feedback which will be put into good use as I prepare my final publication to be completed in May 2024.

Academic Development

Studying abroad was an exhilarating yet challenging experience academically. Immersed in a new cultural and educational environment, every day presented a fresh set of hurdles to overcome. From navigating coursework in sometimes a second language (or at least broken English) to adapting to different teaching styles and academic expectations, each challenge was an opportunity for growth. Balancing these academic demands with exploring the new European cities and cultures taught me resilience and adaptability. Despite initial uncertainties, facing these challenges head-on not only expanded my intellectual horizons but also enriched my understanding of global perspectives. 

In particular, I found that the European universities took a very different approach to technology than Australian universities. Students studying law only used textbooks, some libraries were technology free and the general approach was that technology was not the best way of learning. This challenged me to reflect on my reliance on technology for my studies at UQ, and how traditional ways of learning could be better.

Professional Development 

During my time overseas, I've cultivated several skills and attributes that I believe will significantly enhance my professional development and employability. Firstly, adaptability has been key; navigating a new academic system and cultural environment required flexibility and openness to different approaches. Secondly, my communication skills have been honed through daily interactions in a multicultural setting, improving my ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups of people. Time management became crucial as I balanced coursework with working for my Australian job, whilst exploring new surroundings, teaching me to prioritise tasks efficiently. Challenges included language barriers initially making me feel overwhelmed and even affecting my coursework comprehension. However, I overcame this by seeking additional support and dedicating extra time to language practice and study. Cultural differences also posed challenges sometimes with other students who would speak in their first language, rather than English. However, by embracing differing perspectives, I learned to leverage diversity for innovative solutions. Overall, these experiences have equipped me with resilience, cultural sensitivity, and a global mindset, which I am eager to apply in my future career endeavors.

Highlight 

Some of the highlights of my trip included: visiting the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France; skiing in the alps; visiting five different parliaments; learning from previous diplomats, foreign ministers and leading international lawyers; hiking in the mountains; and trying every food Europe had to offer. One particular highlight was speaking with Her Excellency Ms Elizabeth Day (centre of the bottom left photo below), Australian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. For me, participating in a short-term exchange was so much more than merely a cultural experience, it was the chance to widen my horizons, engage with those holding opinions different to my own and reflect on my university journey thus far. 

Budget 

I was incredibly blessed to have the Ramsay Centre pay for my flights to and from Europe (through the Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship). I was also very lucky to receive a mobility grant from UQ which covered almost all my accomodation. Finally, I stayed with family and other friends I knew overseas, which were kind enough to give me free accomodation at various points.

During my time abroad, I also employed several budgeting techniques to manage my remaining expenses effectively. I started by creating a detailed budget spreadsheet outlining my expected costs, including accommodation, transportation, food, travel, and miscellaneous expenses. I researched affordable accommodation options such as shared apartments, Air Bnbs, university dormitories and other forms of student accomodation to keep housing costs reasonable. For transportation, I utilised public transit passes and walked whenever possible to save on commuting expenses. Food costs were managed by cooking meals at home rather than dining out frequently, and I budgeted for occasional travel within the surrounding countries by booking transportation and accommodation well in advance to secure better rates.

In terms of overall spending, my experience varied depending on the location and duration of stay, but typically I allocated a significant portion of my budget to accommodation (around 30-40%), followed by food (20-30%), transportation (10-15%), and miscellaneous expenses like entertainment and personal items (10-20%). Travel expenses for weekend trips or holidays were additional and varied widely based on destinations. Overall, I spent around $2000 of my personal finances for my trip to Europe in early 2024, which included many awesome (and somewhat expensive) experiences like skiing in the alps and travelling to famous cities.

With all this in mind, my advice to future students about costs and budgeting would be to research thoroughly before departing, including understanding the cost of living in your destination and setting realistic spending limits. It's essential to prioritise expenses based on personal needs and goals while leaving room for unexpected costs. A strict budget is great in theory, but in practice there needs to be some money to fall back on in the case where things go wrong. Keeping track of daily expenditures and adjusting the budget as needed also helps maintain financial discipline throughout the experience. Finally, taking advantage of available scholarships or student discounts and exploring free or low-cost cultural activities can significantly enhance the experience without breaking the budget.