1. Graz University of Technology
Academic mobility
Graz University of Technology
Summer semester 2017
Made by: Musafina Dana,
Master student
Institute of Cybernetics (IC)
2017

2. Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites.
About Graz
Graz is the capital of Styria and second-largest city in Austria after Vienna. It is also a student city because there are a lot of different universities. Graz University of Technology, University of Graz and Medical University of Graz are the most famous Graz universities in Europe.
Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. 2

3. Graz University of Technology
In worldwide competition with comparable institutions, Graz University of Technology pursues top teaching and research in the fields of science and engineering.
The university has more than 13,000 students. Hundreds of exchange students come to study in TU Graz from all over the world. 3

4. Link: https://online.tugraz.at/
TU Graz online system
TUGraz online is the online system that the TU Graz has for basically everything. Here you will be able to take courses, administrate your profile, print documents, register for exams and etc.
It is possible to find information about courses without any registration (click Search-> Courses).
Link: 4

5. Anja MEIER BA Phone: +43 316 873 6429 anja.meier@tugraz.at
The International Relations and Mobility Programmes Service Department
Bárbara GONZÁLEZ SERRANO  MA Phone:
Anja MEIER BA Phone:
International Relations and Mobility Programmes Service Department is the first contact point for all questions and concerns about internationalization.
Coordinators provide support for exchange students who are studying at TU Graz for a limited period of time.
Link: 5

6. Erasmus Student Network is an international student network that works towards improving student mobility, represents the needs of Erasmus students towards various organizations, governments, etc., and takes care of Erasmus students on a local level.
ESN provides Pick-up Service if you need to be picked up at the Graz Airport or Graz main train station when you arrive, or if you need that someone pick up the keys from your student dormitory because you will arrive on a weekend.
ESN also offers a Mentor Program where international students are connected to local Austrian students, who provide help and guidance during the whole semester.
Link for pick-up service:
Link for mentor program: 6

7. Accommodation in Graz
There are a lot of opportunities where to live for students in Graz. I lived in OeAD dormitory which our TU Graz coordinators recommended.
The OeAD-Housing Office offers accommodation for about 12,000 students annually in OeAD-Guesthouses and other student accommodations in Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz and Klagenfurt.
I payed for the accommodation 385 euro per month. There are 4 single rooms in one accommodation with kitchen, bathroom and toilet.
Link:
My opinion: In comparison with other dormitories the price for OeAD-Housing is expensive. My Austrian friends are living in the dormitory where the price is 250 euro per month. But for exchange students it is difficult to find such cheep accommodations for limited period. Most of the exchange students are living in OeAD-Guesthouses. 7

8. Health insurance
All exchange students at TU Graz have to purchase a public Austrian Health Insurance, called GKK. This insurance is compulsory for all international students, even if they already have other health insurances. The price is currently 55,40 euros a month.
The advantage of GKK insurance over other travel insurances is that you do not have to pay for any medical treatment, just for few specific exams 8

9. German Intensive Course
As coordinators in TU Graz said: “If German is not your first language, we strongly recommend that you participate in an intensive 3 weeks course prior to the start of the semester”.
German courses are offered at the KarlFranzens University (Also called KFU, or simply Uni Graz), at their language institute, called Treffpunkt Sprachen. Levels: from A1 to C1 / 60 units of 45 minutes / 6 ECTS-credits for students / Price € 260
Advice: It is better to take German courses in the beginning. It helps to find a lot of friends as well =)
Link: 9

10. Sport courses
All universities in Graz have organized sport courses together, which can be booked either in person, or online.
There are more then hundred different courses offered by Universitäts-Sportinstitut. But it is necessary to register in time. 10

11. Prices for products (in EUR)
Milk 1 liter = 0,95
Semmel = 0,15
Sausages = 2,59
Champignon 500g = 0,99
Tomatoes 500g = 0,99
Milka chocolate = 0,99
Yogurt = 0,85
Strawberries = 2,79
Watermelon = 2,31
One banana = 0,33
Tea = 2,49
Bread = 0,59
Salmon fillet = 6,49
Sandwich = 1,99
Advice: students usually buy food products in LiDL because it is cheaper in comparison with SPAR and BILLA. But the quality of products in SPAR and BILLA is better (sometimes). 11

12. Link: https://www.flixbus.com/
Travelling
For travelling from Austria to other nearest countries I would like to recommend FlixBus, Hellö bus, Blabla car or train.
FlixBus has cheap tickets, user-friendly booking system and an extensive route network. I with my friends used FlixBus to travel around Austria, to Italy, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Link:
Hellö company offers cheap tickets as well and they have comfortable buses.
Link:
Link for Blabla car:
Tickets for trains are also cheap. It is better to buy ÖBB-card in the beginning for getting 50%-discount.
Link: 12

13. Hiking trips
Austria is the ideal hiking destination, with fascinating landscapes and a sophisticated network of trails at varying altitudes and levels of difficulty. Whether you explore one of the national parks, experience the beauty of the Alps on a long distance trail or head out on a family day hike, Austria offers unlimited opportunities.
Hiking trip to Bärenschützklamm (1214 metres) 13
Hiking trip to Schöckl (1445 metres)

14. View from Alpine mountains near Innsbruck
Cycling and snowboarding
Graz is Austria's cycling capital and has the highest rate of cycling in the country. It has a pretty good cycling infrastructure and politicians make great efforts to improve conditions for cyclists. Due to the numerous cycle paths, cycle lanes and parking lots for bikes, cycling is the best choice for covering shorter distances in the city. A lot of exchange students buy bikes from other students. I bought a bicycle for 90 euros but it is possible to find cheaper one. I had never regretted that I bought a bicycle because I could get to any place quickly and easily.
Austria has a lot of great places for snowboarding. So I took all my equipment for snowboarding from home to Graz. But snowboarding is a very expensive type of sport here so I tried only once in Innsbruck. But I recommend to try it because Alpine mountains and snowboard are prefect combination! =)
View from Alpine mountains near Innsbruck 14

15. My experience
It was amazing experience to be an exchange student in Graz University of Technology. I met interesting people from different countries such as Italy, Spain, Vietnam, South Korea, Ireland, Canada, USA, Serbia, Australia, Wales, Mexico, Finland, Portugal, Uruguay, China, Japan and Macedonia. I traveled with my friends and saw a lot of breathtaking places. I could feel real life in such beautiful country as Austria and even got acquainted with Austrian families.
This journey is like a little fairy tale, a fairy tale that you can create by yourself… 15

16. Useful links and contact
information
Welcome Guide for Exchange Students:
Important information for Exchange Students:
Costs of living in Austria:
TU Graz Campus map:
City of Graz:
City map of Graz:
If you have any questions, please, don’t hesitate to contact me =) 16