Erasmus in Graz: Honest First Month Review & 5 Reasons to Study Here
It’s been one month since I started my Erasmus in Graz, Austria. 28 days of nervousness, uncertainty, and self-doubt.
However, I can’t say everything has been bad. In fact, my first month of Erasmus has been better than I expected.
Is Graz a good city for Erasmus? After one month living here as an exchange student, I can finally give you an honest answer. In this blog, I share my first month experience in Graz, what surprised me, and whether I would recommend it for your Erasmus.
My First Week of Erasmus in Graz
I believe my first week could make or break my Erasmus experience. I know that I still have 4 months left in Graz, but the first week is the most intense one.
You can read a more in-depth review of my first week in Graz here. However, there are three things that I would like to underline from it.
My first week’s lessons from studying abroad:
- Talk to everybody you meet: The people I talked to in my first week have now become my best friends in Erasmus.
- Don’t doubt yourself: Erasmus is the best place to be yourself. Don’t be shy, don’t get wrapped up in your own fears. Go out there, meet new people, and have the greatest time. You are the only one who can stop yourself.
- Slowing down is okay: Your first week will be full of new people, but at the same time, it will be a lonely time. Don’t worry, that is completely normal, you’ll make your way through your Erasmus days. I remember coming back to my room one night after meeting dozens of people and still feeling strangely alone. It’s a confusing mix of excitement and vulnerability, and it’s completely normal.
My First Month Living in Graz as an Erasmus Student
Truthfully, I thought my first month here would be more hectic. I thought I would start traveling right away and that by now I would have been to half of the European countries.
Well, I was wrong.
However, that doesn’t mean this first month was bad. In fact, I feel that taking my first Erasmus month in Graz slowly has been the best decision I could have made.
By taking my days slowly, I’ve been able to truly experience student life in Graz and understand what living here as an Erasmus student really feels like.
I’ve already become a regular at a small café near the university, where the barista now recognizes me and asks about my Spanish accent. And most importantly, I have gotten close to other Erasmus students.
Some people prefer to get to know everybody and make plans with as many people as possible. In my case, I like to have my group. Of course, I meet new people every day, but when it comes to everyday tasks, I always meet the same friends.
Through this month, we have come really close, and now we are ready to make our way through Europe.
Travelling is still at the top of my Erasmus bucket list. However, I could say the way I see travelling has changed this month.
Travelling isn’t just about sightseeing. Now, I want to travel to experience new things with my friends. I want to share my adventure with them.
Is Graz A Good City For Erasmus?
Let’s get to the chase. Yes, Graz is a great Erasmus city.
So why is Graz such a good city for Erasmus?
Well, it’s simple. Here are my 5 reasons why you should do your Erasmus (or study abroad program) in Graz:
- Great bus and tram connections. Did you know that you can get to at least 5 different countries in under 4 hours from Graz? Well, I didn’t. However, as a travelling enthusiast, Graz is like paradise.
- Small city. Graz is the second-largest city in Austria. Nevertheless, when you walk through the streets, it feels as if you were in a small city. It feels like a city where you constantly run into familiar faces.
- Beautiful architecture. What can I say about Austrian architecture? From colorful Renaissance courtyards to modern buildings hidden behind historic facades, Graz feels like a city where old and new coexist perfectly. You will fall head over heels in love with Graz.
- Great exchange student programs. Graz has a great ESN program for international students. Whether you have come from Europe or abroad, ESN organizes activities for any college student. ESN Graz is very active, so it is great to meet other international students.
- Austrian people. Some people will argue with me on this, but so far, I have found people from Graz really kind and helpful. They will always greet you with a smile and help you if you need anything. In fact, my German teacher is one of the best people I have met in my life!
This Compliments Bingo is from one of the activities organized by ESN Graz. It was called “Find Your Valentine”. They organized it at a Pub so that we could easily meet new people and break the ice quickly.
Know more about Erasmus in Graz, my top travelling tips and must-know information about Graz here.
Final Thoughts
First times are always hard for everyone. But don’t worry, as you have seen, with time, everything gets better. You will find your people and have the best experience of your life in Erasmus.
Erasmus is not just about traveling in Europe. It’s about discovering who you are when nobody knows you yet. And that is something truly powerful.
If you’re hesitating about choosing Graz for your Erasmus in Austria, take this as your sign. One month in, and I already feel like I made the right choice.
Have you ever done Erasmus? Are you planning on going? Ask me anything!
FAQ About Erasmus in Graz
It’s very easy. Don’t worry about meeting people; by the second week, you’ll feel overwhelmed by the number of people you are meeting. My advice is to check for ESN Graz. It is the fastest and easiest way to meet people.
It depends on your country and household income. However, I would say that for the average student, Graz is a relatively expensive city.
Nevertheless, you can always find cheaper options. For example, instead of eating out or having takeout every other day, try cooking your own food. Grocery shopping is always a cheaper choice, and it will give you the option to organize “international dinners” where each one of you can cook a traditional food from your country.
Yes, Graz has great bus and tram connections. You can get almost anywhere in Central Europe by train. However, if you are planning on longer trips, for example, to Paris, then you may have to increase your budget.
I really don’t know, since I haven’t been to Vienna yet. However, I can say that I’m really loving Graz. Vienna has a big airport, which is a positive characteristic if you are looking for long trips. However, I think Graz makes it easier for you to feel at home.