Karl Franzens Universität Graz (KFUNIGRAZ)

There were a lot of facilities for students (computerrooms,libraries,studentsrestaurant).Only the acces was sometimes hard. I´ve had to wait several times because al computers were taken. I couldn´t find any vegetarian meals in the restaurant.

Every friday there was an Erasmusstammtisch for the Erasmusstudents. That was a good occasion to meet friends. A lot of austrian students were there too. I also frequently visited the latin-american bar Latinos. It has a great atmosfere and some dancingspace. The Kulturhauskeller is the place to be when you really want to dance. It is worth the 25 ATS entrance-fee.The irish pubs are always crowded and they play great music there. In the city-park there is a small cafe. Especially in autumn, when it is still warm it is great to sit on the terrace. The Urbanikeller is also very trendy.

It is very important to make contacts not only with exchangestudents but also with Austrians. The studentsorganisation organises a lot of trips (to Vienna, Prag, Budapest,...). You shouldn´t miss them. It is best to come a week before the courses start. That way you can get to know the city and visit the most beautifull places ( Schloßberg, Hauptplatz, Schloß Eggenberg,...) without having to hurry.

I was surprised about my ability to speak German. I hadn´t expected to cope that well. At the begin I was a little shy and was affraid to make mistakes but that changed very quickly. I had a lot of contacts with austrian students and therefore I was obliged to speak German all the time. I also had contacts with Englishmen and Frenchmen but we spoke German most of the time. I learned a lot of new expressions and words.

You can buy a second-hand bicycle for the time you are in Graz. They are fairly cheap and then you don´t have to use public transport. You can sell it again when you leave. Hofer is the cheapest supermarket in town but you can´t find everything there and you have to be carefull with vegetables (they might not be good anymore).Merkur is also cheap and you can find almost everything there.