A study abroad experience from the desk at home

Students who spend a semester abroad not only collect valuable ECTS credits for their programs but also build international friendships and return from their host country with a wealth of new experiences. For all students who had planned to study abroad in the 2020 summer semester, however, things turned out differently: They had to abort their stays abroad on short notice, return home, and do the coursework assigned to them by the host university online. Carlos and Angela are 2 of the students who now look back on a study abroad experience without precedent in history, namely studying abroad from their desks at home.

Carlos Antonio Briceño Johannsen is an MBA student at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He came to Vienna in February, planning to complete the 2020 summer semester as an exchange student at WU. But the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted his plans.

WU Blog: As an exchange student, how does it feel to study from home and not from Campus WU?

Carlos Antonio Briceño Johannsen: To have a semester abroad is one of the most exciting experiences that you can have. Since I was working and studying my Master in Chile at the same time, I prepared myself a lot to get a permission for being abroad one semester without working.

“I really enjoyed the month I could spend in Vienna, visiting all the museums, the royal gardens, just walking through the city.”

Despite the current situation, the semester goes on and I decided to return to Chile and keep studying at home. It is a challenging situation and at the same time really crazy because of the six hour time difference that Chile with Vienna has. I have to wake up at 2 am in the morning to join a Zoom meeting and attend a class.

WU Blog: How do you feel about your time spent in Vienna – did you have time to get to know the city and its culture despite the circumstances?

Carlos Antonio Briceño Johannsen: When I arrived at WU in February, I was completely surprised and delighted about the campus, the good environment and of course about the city. I really enjoyed the month I could spend in Vienna, visiting all the museums, the royal gardens, just walking through the city.

WU Blog: How are you coping with the switch to the distance-learning format?

Carlos Antonio Briceño Johannsen: Distance learning is not that bad. I realized you can learn in a different way as we are used to. The technology allows people to connect to each other, to work in teams, to make presentations and to interact with others in a virtual way. I’m convinced that after this Corona crisis, distance learning will be a competitive alternative to study and to work at home. I think many universities and enterprises have now realized distance learning or home office can be a good solution for many problems. I think we have progressed years in this field.

“I’m convinced that after this Corona crisis, distance learning will be a competitive alternative to study and to work at home”

WU Blog: What positive experiences will you look back on?

Carlos Antonio Briceño Johannsen: What I miss, is to share a beer or a Schnitzel with new friends after classes on campus, but we will have time in the future to do that. In another experience abroad, I hope. I appreciate a lot that the WU reacted very quickly, and all the courses switched to the distance learning format in a very proactive way. We all are doing our best to make this a good experience despite the crisis.

Angela Lintner is enrolled in the WU Master’s Program in Business Law. She had planned to spend a semester abroad at Rome’s LUISS Guido Carli this spring. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was forced to abort her stay in Italy and complete her courses online from home.

WU Blog: As an outgoing student, how does it feel to study from Vienna this semester?

Angela Lintner: My exchange in Rome started just as I had imagined in would: an impressive university, a new academic challenge in a different country in a beautiful city and a cultural exchange with other students from other countries. It was difficult yet necessary for me to return home, but it definitely put me, as an exchange student, in a new position, academically and emotionally. It feels strange to complete my “exchange semester” from my room.

WU Blog: How are you coping with the switch to the distance-learning format?

Angela Lintner: Thanks to the quick and professional switch to the distance-learning format at LUISS Guido Carli, I can still gain some experience of studying in a different academic environment. I am also impressed with the professors at LUISS, who do a great job of looking after the exchange students.

WU Blog: What positive experiences will you be able to look back on?

Angela Lintner: I was able to learn a lot, starting with managing and adjusting new situations through to self-discipline and the ability to concentrate. Even though I was not able to make the experiences that I had wanted to make in the beginning, I am still thankful for the time I was able to spend in Rome and for the people who were there with me. Even during this short time, we were able to create terrific memories.

“I feel like I watched a trailer for Rome and now I am curious to see the whole movie. Rome, we’ll meet again!”

WU Blog: How are you feeling about your time spent in Rome – are you still in contact with other exchange students? Did you have time to get to know the city and its culture despite the circumstances?

Angela Lintner: Especially during the last exhausting days before my departure, I appreciated the solidarity between exchange students. It was possible for us to start meaningful friendships during the first few weeks. We are still in contact and have a sympathetic ear for each other. If I could go back to January 2020, knowing what I know now, knowing how my exchange semester would go, I would still start it the same way. Because I made friends for life during my time there. It was a blessing in disguise. I feel like I watched a trailer for Rome and now I am curious to see the whole movie. Rome, we’ll meet again!