How an exchange semester can broaden the horizon

Three students arrived from Pakistan to spend their exchange semester at the Institute of International Management at FH JOANNEUM in Graz. In this article they talk about why they are spending an exchange semester at our university and why diversity is important to them.

From Punjab to Graz

Muhammad Abuzar Umar studies “Economics and Political Science” at Lahore University of Management Sciences in Punjab, Pakistan. The highly marketed “Global Business Program” at FH JOANNEUM brought him to Graz. Additionally, some seniors he knows had already paricipated in this programme and gave him very good insights. Another point is that as an Ernst Mach-student the funding help him and other students financially during this exchange semester. “Me and my fellow colleagues were so excited when we found out we were accepted. We started straight away to make travelling plans to Italy and Spain – that was before COVID-19. Now we just hope that we do not run out of places to visit in Austria in these five months”, Muhammad said.

Muhammad is certain: “Even though this will be a restrictive exchange due to the pandemic, I am sure I will profit from the cultural exposure and different education system.” He thinks he will not only benefit from the course’s theory but also from the diversity of the lecturer’s experience. “In my accommodation I have students from many different countries, and I am truly enjoying my exchange so far.”

Exploring new paths

Amna Ejaz Ahmad studies “Anthropology and Sociology” at Lahore University of Management Sciences. It was no coincidence that she spends her exchange semester here in Austria: “Austria, and Graz in particular, was always a place I wanted to visit as all the colleagues who had been here and did the ‘Global Business Program’ made it sound as the best experience ever.” In her study field, she learned about social sciences but not about commerce and business. “I am taking this opportunity to gather new knowledge in this programme”, Amna said. In her opinion, courses in Pakistan are very “Pakistan-centred”. “I think that the diversity we find here opens up new paths and helps us to engage with the intensive teaching courses.”

Learning and making new experiences

Amar Lal is a law student at Lahore University of Management Sciences in Punjab. Austria’s strong history with classical music fascinates him: This was an add-on to the scholarship and international programme opportunity. “The programme of Law is very focused on Corporate Law and I needed a change of perspective. I expect to learn about business and its different aspects while relating and combining the different experiences I come across with.”, he said while looking forward to the summer semester.

We wish you a wonderful exchange semester in Graz!