AUBG Students on Exchange: Vienna, Bishkek, and Jakarta

“There is no better way to experience a new culture than first-hand! AUBGers can choose from hundreds of universities on six continents,” says the AUBG website.

AUBG offers plenty of opportunities to enthusiastic students who want to embark on the journey of an exchange. Erasmus+, ISEP, Maine, OSUN exchange – these are various programs that open new doors for students who are willing to step outside the AUBG world. 

These programs allow students to experience new cultures, see different parts of the world, practice their language skills, and challenge themselves to go beyond their comfort zone. Being on an exchange semester teaches students to become familiar with the unfamiliar, and grow both personally and academically. 

Ngan Thanh Ho, Owen Kemerer, and Benjamin Whyman, who are currently on an exchange semester in different countries, shared their experience and discussed all the ups and downs of being an exchange student at a new university in a foreign country.

Ngan Thanh Ho, referred to as NJ by her friends, is a junior AUBG student majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC). NJ is currently an exchange student in Vienna, Austria, studying in FHWien.

She shared why she decided to go on an exchange semester: “I wanted to travel and get familiar with a different culture.” NJ chose Vienna because she wanted to live in a big, vibrant city that has a lot to offer. 

The process of moving from Bulgaria to Austria has not been simple, though. “At first I could not find housing because all the dorms were fully booked,” she said.

NJ decided to join several groups on social media, and got in touch with total strangers, with the hope that she would figure it out. “Finally I found one,” she added with relief.

NJ pointed out that she had experienced cultural shock in Vienna. She was shocked at how almost everything is closed on Sundays: “Even supermarkets!” Luckily, she found out that a few supermarkets located at larger train-stations are open all week. “That definitely saved my life,” she added.

NJ then drew a comparison between AUBG and FHWien. “AUBG has a very strong student life with club meetings and activities. On the other hand, in FHWien, students come and leave right after the classes, because there is little to no extracurricular activity,” she said. 

When asked about the best aspect of being on an exchange semester, NJ replied: “It’s interacting with other students and going on trips organized by the university’s student organization.”

Despite enjoying her time in Vienna, NJ shared that she would not stay longer than a semester. “Vienna is a great city, but it is also extremely expensive to live in,” she said.

NJ gave a piece of advice to AUBG students, who are thinking of embarking on a similar journey: “Do not just stick to the people who speak your language. Expand your horizons and mingle with the locals.” She added: “They will be the ones who show you the most authentic stuff.”

Benjamin Whyman, also a junior at AUBG, is currently studying at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

Benjamin chose Kyrgyzstan because he wanted to practice Russian and further progress in his majors. “I am double-majoring in Political Science and International Relations, and European Studies,” he said. 

He added: “I have never been to this region before, and I also want to travel to other countries in the area.” His plans involve traveling to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. 

It was not difficult for Benjamin to find housing. “I was going to live in a dorm originally, but then decided to get an apartment by myself,” he said. He shared that he has a really good support system in Bishkek, which he is very thankful for.

He said: “Financially, it is much cheaper than in the United States, or even in Bulgaria,” so he has not had any difficulties with that. 

He also found the social aspect relatively easy as he has been supported by the international student organization on campus and local students. “They have been very supportive and generous, inviting me to do stuff, taking me to dinners, and making sure that I felt comfortable,” he said.

Benjamin shared that he is trying to educate himself and experience life from a different perspective. “One of the reasons why I decided to come here is because it is a predominantly Muslim country and I have never lived in a similar setting,” so it was something of his interest.  

Benjamin went on to compare AUBG and AUCA. He is more grateful for AUBG since arriving in Kyrgyzstan because the community in AUBG is “very unique, very close, and connected.”

“You are always around your peers, which is not the case here because everybody commutes to the university building and then goes back to wherever they live,” he said. Benjamin also added that there is not a very strong sense of community at AUCA.

However, he would like to stay longer if he had the opportunity. “One semester is just enough time to start to develop the relationships, but then you have to leave,” he said. 

Benjamin has really good impressions of Bishkek. He shared: “People are very friendly and helpful, and willing to advise you on things. They are generally very interested in foreigners.” He thinks that the best aspect of being an exchange student is the ability to practice language skills and keep developing your personal skills. 

He concluded with a piece of advice for AUBG students:

“Be very open and very thankful. This opportunity is a very big blessing, something that should not be taken for granted because there are new things to learn, new people to meet, languages to speak, and food to try. Anywhere you go is about what you want to make out of it.” 

Owen Kemerer, a junior also majoring in Political Science and International Relations, and European Studies, is on an exchange in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Owen wanted to travel more, see different parts of the world, and enrich his experience at AUBG. 

Owen found the whole process relatively easy. “If I ever had questions, there were a lot of people I could turn to,” he said. After submitting the application, and ranking the universities of his interest, he found out that he would be moving to Jakarta. “It was chosen for me, and I did not have much say in it. But I am definitely happy with how it turned out,” he said.

Owen does not consider himself as someone who is easily shocked or caught off guard. “But because it was my first time in Southeast Asia, there were some things I had to adjust to,” he shared. 

He said: “Jakarta is a very big city, I think the third biggest in the world. It is extremely crowded and very polluted.” Owen was open about the fact that it can get overwhelming at times. “It is very diverse, you can see a skyscraper next to a shack,” he said.

On a positive note, Owen enjoyed being able to get out of the city and travel. He has been to Singapore, Cambodia, and Malaysia, as well as the island of Java. “I have school only on Mondays and Tuesdays, so that has given me flexibility,” he said. 

In terms of academic workload, he shared: “I would say it is less rigorous than at AUBG.” He would not stay longer, despite really enjoying his time in Indonesia. “I am ready to go back to Bulgaria and see my friends and get back to my normal life,” he added.

The best aspect of this journey for Owen was stepping out of his comfort zone. “It has been nice to get a break and travel and meet new people,” he said.

Finally, he shared a piece of advice:

“Take the plunge! It may seem daunting at first, but it is all worth it. I cannot praise this opportunity enough.”