Erasmus in Graz: My Honest First Week Experience & Survival Tips
Erasmus has been one of my biggest dreams for years. But no one tells you how lonely the first week of Erasmus can feel, especially when you arrive alone in a new city like Graz.
After what felt like forever, I took my luggage, packed what would be my life for the following five months, and arrived in Graz.
Erasmus (or simply studying abroad) is a really exciting experience. Everybody talks about it. However, the first weeks can be hard.
In this blog, I will explain my experience in my first week of Erasmus in Graz. I’ll give tips for beginners and must-buy things if you are planning on coming to Graz (or Austria).
My Personal Experience: My First Week of Erasmus in Graz
I have only been in Graz for five days, but I think it’s fair to say that they have been some of the longest (and maybe craziest) days of my life.
Let’s start from the beginning.
I arrived at my dorm on Monday afternoon. Everything was nice and easy, and my trip was fairly good. However, when I arrived at my dorm room, I sat on my bed, unpacked my suitcase, and suddenly felt this overwhelming anxiety hit me.
Nobody had told me how lonely it feels to get to a new city alone.
Have you ever arrived alone in a new city and thought, What did I just do?
I thought that, since I would be living in a student dormitory, I would know people right away and start making friends. Let me say that was far from reality.
If you’re reading this before your Erasmus, trust me, this part is normal.
Student dorms are great, but each person has their own routines. Give it some time until you start meeting people.
The first days of your Erasmus experience will be lonely. That’s a fact. The only thing you can do is try to be optimistic, don’t get discouraged, and try to talk to as many people as you can during those days.
It’s normal to feel lonely for the first few days. Just give yourself a little time.
The key to Erasmus is to go to as many activities as possible. In my case, I arrived on Monday, but the first Erasmus gathering wasn’t until Wednesday. That meant I spent nearly two days alone. I think those two days were the longest days of my life.
However, once I went to the first Erasmus meeting, my situation changed drastically. I met so many people. I didn’t think there would be that many Erasmus students in Graz. You just have to leave behind your shyness and try to talk to as many people as you can.
From that moment on, I started getting to know people from my dorm and my courses. I instantly knew everything would be fine.
If you asked me on Monday, I would say I would spend my whole Erasmus experience alone and that there were no Erasmus students in Graz. Now that it’s Saturday, I can assure you that I won’t be alone, and I’ll even get tired of hanging out with Erasmus students.
What I want to say is that you just have to give it some time. Don’t be like me. Thinking that you will instantly start meeting people is unrealistic. Give it at least five days. You won’t start meeting people until your first student gathering, whether it’s at an informal gathering or a University welcome day. That’s when your Erasmus experience will start.
Erasmus Tips Every Beginner Should Know
Meeting new people is scary, especially if you are alone. A lot of people go studying abroad with friends, so they have it easier to meet people. At the end of the day, they know they won’t be alone.
However, studying abroad alone is a totally different experience.
After surviving my first week of Erasmus in Graz, these are the tips I wish I had known from day one. Here are some tips to start meeting people and making friends right away:
1. Go to as many Erasmus gatherings as possible
Even if you don’t feel like it, just go. There are so many people eager to make friends that someone will instantly start talking to you. I know it sounds scary at first, but it really isn’t that hard.
2. Try to speak to as many people as you can
It doesn’t matter where you are; if you hear someone speaking in English, just go talk to them. You are meant to make connections during your first weeks of Erasmus.
3. Get in all the Erasmus groups
There will be a lot of plans you will be invited to through the Erasmus groups
4. Small talk is gold
Talking to new people shouldn’t be hard. Here are my golden questions to start talking to new people:
- What’s your name?
- Where are you from?
- What are you studying?
- Where are you staying (dormitory)?
- How old are you?
- Do you have Instagram?
These questions should be enough to start meeting people. Once you ask these questions, you’ll have a smooth conversation with a new person.
Final Thoughts
Just remember that being alone is normal. It sounds scary, I know, but it will get better, I promise.
Most people arrive earlier than necessary, so know that your real Erasmus experience won’t actually begin until you go to your first student gathering.
I’m only on my sixth day of Erasmus, and I already know I’ll have the greatest time (or I hope so), and you will too.
If you’re about to start your Erasmus, save this post and come back to it during your first week. And if you’ve already done Erasmus, leave a comment; your advice might help someone who’s feeling lonely right now.