Erasmus Experience in Graz, Austria by Fathia

Why did you choose to go to Graz, Austria?

In fact, to be honest, it was the only university that offered a scholarship in my field that year, and I did not know Graz well, but after my arrival I found out it was a very beautiful city with very kind and nice people.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

My scholarship is post-doctorate for 6 months, and any money the student will take will be enough to live, because it is not very expensive like some other European cities.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Graz?

Graz is the best city or as they call it, the city of students, because it has 6 universities, with many specialists and with many good facilities and equipment for the scientific research.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Graz to other students?

Yes, the life style is good, good education and entertainment too.

What is the food like?

The food is very nice, it is easy to find something good everywhere you go, and the city has some shops that sell pizza and different food, you will also find Turkish shops that sell very delicious kebabs.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Graz?

At the beginning of my stay, yes, it was very expensive, but because it was a private house. But soon I found out that there were many cheap dorms for students to stay in.

How much does it cost to live in Graz?

Not much, for accommodation you will pay between 250 to 400 Euro per month, for food if you eat in the university restaurant called Mensa you will need only about 6 Euro daily, but if you decided to cook for yourself it may cost you around 120 Euro per month.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Really, it was difficult at the beginning, but as soon you get familiar with the language, you will be able to understand it. And if you practice it in the streets and shops then you will be fine.

Yes, there are courses available at the university, in fact I tried one German course which was free for the foreigners coming to Graz, it was in the place called Caritas, and it was good.

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What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Graz from your city?

The plane of course because I came from Egypt, and I do not have any other mean of transport to come to Europe except by plane.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Graz?

There are quizzes and pop clubs for the students, where they can spend their night out, there are also nice cinemas with 3D movies.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Graz?

Really, any shop or place to eat in Graz will be good, I did not have my favourite one, because all of them are nice.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are many cultural sites in Graz like:

• The Mausoleum founded by Kaiser Ferdinand II while he was a ruler of inner Austria.
• Kunsthaus Graz was built by Italian architects with special shape.
• Murinsel, built in 2003 and it is an unusual landmark that sits on the water, and it takes the shape of a floating shell linked by bridges to each side of the river Mur.
• Graz museum is a meeting place for everyone interested in the city's urban development.
• Schlossberg it is big mountain with many sites and fortifications dated back to the 1544, you can go up by three ways, by huge stairs, by elevator and by the funicular railway, it has some sites above like, Bell tower, Clock tower, the Kasmatten stage, Gothic gate, Hakher lion, Cannon bastion and Stable bastion, also from this mountain you can see all the city from above.
• Also the archaeological museum and palace in Eggenberg area.

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Graz in the future?

Yes, the city is very nice, and it is very suitable for students, although it is small it has about six universities, and students from all over Austria go there to study. It is really the city of students even more than Vienna itself.

And you will found a very good and easy means of transport, buses, trams, trains any time; also you will find good stores to go shopping for good prices. Try to book your accommodation before the beginning of the semester, because if you are late you will find everything busy and you will not find a place easily.

Student accommodation in Graz:

• SWIS Wohnungsinformationssystem: Rechbauerstraße 4a, 8010 Graz
• Friedrich-Schiller-Studentenheim: Elisabethstrasse 85, 8010 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 01: Wiener Straße 58a, 8020 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 02: Keplerstraße 75-77, 8020 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 03: Moserhofgasse 36, 8010 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 04: Moserhofgasse 20-22, 8010 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 05: Ghegagasse 9-19, 8020 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 06: Moserhofgasse 34, 8010 Graz
• WIST-Studierendenwohnhaus 07: Fröbelgasse 34, 8020 Graz
• Studentenhilfe Babenberg: Schießstattgasse 3, 8010 Graz
• Kolpinghaus: Adolf-Kolping-Gasse 4-6, 8010 Graz
• Home4students StudentInnenheim Hafnerriegl: Hafnerriegl 53, 8010 Graz
• Home4students StudentInnenheim Leechgasse: Leechgasse 1, 8010 Graz
• Akademikerhilfe 01: Elisabethstraße 93, 8010 Graz
• Akademikerhilfe 02: Münzgrabenstraße 59, 8010 Graz
• Akademikerhilfe 03: Untere Schönbrunngasse 7-11, 8043 Graz
• ÖJAB-Haus: Glacisstraße 39-41, 8010 Graz
• KHG-Haus 01: Leechgasse 24, 8010 Graz
• Johannes-Kepler-Haus: Am Rehgrund 4, 8043 Graz
• VAÖ StudentInnenheim: Am Rehgrund 14, 8043 Graz
• Studentenheim des Landes Steiermark: Billrothgasse 41 und 43, 8047 Graz
• Afro-Asiatisches Institut: Leechgasse 22, 8010 Graz
• Greenbox - West: Eggenberger Allee 31, 8020 Graz
• Greenbox - Nord: Lindweg 31, 8010 Graz
• Kroisegg - Studentenheim: Elisabethstraße 42, 8010 Graz
• Geidorf - StudentInnenheim: Kirchengasse 2, 8010 Graz
• ÖJAB-Haus Graz: Glasisstr. 39-41, 8010 Graz. :)