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author
Zihan Yang
Zihan
faculty
Fakulta humanitních stu
academic year of the stay
2025/2026
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author
Zihan
faculty
Fakulta humanitních stu
academic year of the stay
2025/2026
traineeship
study stay
short-term mobility
other
University of Vienna
How does Zihan rate their stay?
university
city
accommodation
financial demands
about university | organisation
What made your university special? What were the facilities where you studied and the university equipment like?
The first thing that comes to mind is the welcoming and intellectually stimulating academic environment. The Institute for Contemporary History at the University of Vienna brought together scholars working on a wide range of topics in contemporary history, providing many opportunities for academic exchange and discussion.
What made the experience particularly valuable was the openness of the researchers to discussing my work and sharing their perspectives. The working spaces were well equipped and provided a comfortable environment for individual research, reading, and informal discussions with colleagues.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your "adoptive" university? What made it special? What were the premises where you studied and the university facilities like?
Internships: I was treated as a visiting doctoral researcher and had the opportunity to discuss my dissertation with professors, researchers, and other doctoral students. The academic staff were approachable and willing to offer advice and feedback, while I was also given considerable freedom to organize my own research activities.
I would definitely recommend the Institute for Contemporary History at the University of Vienna to other doctoral students, especially those looking for an opportunity to develop their research through discussions with scholars in their field.
What is student life like at university?
not my case
Did you study in English or in the language of the host country? What language requirements does the university have?
I communicated primarily in English throughout my internship. English was sufficient for academic discussions, meetings, and everyday communication within the institute. There were no specific language requirements for my research internship, although knowledge of German can be helpful for navigating the wider university environment and daily life in Vienna.
about the city
What was your impression of the city? How would you describe it? What is interesting to see here?
Vienna struck me as a city that combines a rich historical and cultural heritage with a lively contemporary intellectual and cultural scene. It is cosmopolitan and international, yet generally calm and wel- organized, with an excellent public transport system that makes it easy to explore different parts of the city. Its numerous museums, historical buildings, libraries, and cafés make it particularly attractive for someone interested in history and culture.
about finances
In your experience, how far does the scholarship go? What percentage of your expenses did it cover? What is your opinion on prices in the country in general?
The scholarship was sufficient to cover my expenses during the one-month stay, provided that I did not spend excessively. Although Vienna is relatively expensive, particularly in terms of accommodation and eating out, it is possible to manage within the scholarship with a reasonable lifestyle.
Please advise your classmates on how to save money—Where to shop? What services can be used to save money?
For groceries, I would recommend shopping at Hofer, Lidl, or Penny, which generally offer more affordable prices than Billa or Spar. Cooking at home, using public transport, and avoiding unnecessary expenses helped me stay within budget.
about accommodation
What type of accommodation did you choose? Would you recommend it to others? If not, what type of accommodation do you think is best based on your experience (dormitory, private apartment, private dormitory, shared room, etc.)?
I chose a one-bedroom apartment through Airbnb. For a one-month stay, I found this to be a convenient option, as it provided privacy, independence, and the facilities needed for everyday life, including a kitchen. I would recommend this type of accommodation to other interns, especially those staying for a relatively short period. However, it is important to book in advance and compare prices, as short-term rentals in Vienna can be relatively expensive.
about experiences
Did you use your stay to travel around the country/Europe? What are your best travel experiences? What would you not recommend?
I did not travel outside Vienna during my stay, as I mainly focused on my research activities and academic meetings. I spent most of my free time exploring Vienna itself.
Language and culture: what cultural differences did you notice? How did you cope with the national language? Was it also the language of your studies? Do you feel that your language skills improved during your stay?
Vienna is a cosmopolitan and international city, so I did not experience major difficulties adapting to the local culture. I found that everyday life was quite similar to what I was used to in Prague.
about experiences
Did you use Erasmus stay to travel around your country/Europe? What are your best travel experiences? What would you not recommend?
None, I would say.
Language and culture: what cultural differences did you notice? How did you cope with the national language? Was it also the language of your studies? Do you feel that your language skills improved during your stay?
Very responsive, but I did not have any special needs.
Did you use Erasmus stay to travel around your country/Europe? What are your best travel experiences? What would you not recommend?
N/A
final rating
Why here? What makes this location special? Why would you send your friends to your country/city?
I would recommend the University of Vienna and the Institute for Contemporary History particularlly to students interested in modern European history and related fields. The institute offers an intellectually stimulating environment, with researchers working on diverse topics and a genuine openness to academic exchange. The opportunity to discuss one's research with experienced scholars and other doctoral students makes it especially valuable for visiting researchers.
live-saving tips
If I went again, I would definitely remember to pack...
N/A
Before leaving, I would like to know that...
N/A
What surprised me most was that...
N/A
The hardest thing for me was...
N/A
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The first thing that comes to mind is the welcoming and intellectually stimulating academic environment. The Institute for Contemporary History at the University of Vienna brought together scholars working on a wide range of topics in contemporary history, providing many opportunities for academic exchange and discussion.
What made the experience particularly valuable was the openness of the researchers to discussing my work and sharing their perspectives. The working spaces were well equipped and provided a comfortable environment for individual research, reading, and informal discussions with colleagues.
Zihan
The first thing that comes to mind is the welcoming and intellectually stimulating academic environment. The Institute for Contemporary History at the University of Vienna brought together scholars working on a wide range of topics in contemporary history, providing many opportunities for academic exchange and discussion.
What made the experience particularly valuable was the openness of the researchers to discussing my work and sharing their perspectives. The working spaces were well equipped and provided a comfortable environment for individual research, reading, and informal discussions with colleagues.
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