Enthusiastic about the semester abroad in the USA

“The semester abroad as part of my bachelor program at Kufstein University was one of the most formative experiences of my life,” says Tobias Höfinger, summarizing his stay abroad in one sentence. The student is enrolled in the Sport, Culture & Event Management degree program at Kufstein University and completed an integrated semester abroad to develop his international skills / competencies. Four months in the heart of Pennsylvania not only gave him a detailed insight into American culture, but also enabled him to deepen his professional skills and abilities in the field of sports management. Pennsylvania is located in the north-east of the USA, between New York City and the Lake Erie region, which forms the border with Canada.

The program offered by the YCP - Sports Management - enjoys an excellent reputation, so it made sense to supplement the bachelor program in Kufstein with a semester abroad at this higher education institution, especially for sports enthusiasts like Tobias. He also found the networking very enriching and valuable - he made contacts with professors, experts from the field and other students.

INCREDIBLE HOSPITALITY MAKES THE START EASIER

Although the first few days and weeks alone in the “land of opportunity” felt a little unfamiliar to him at first, he received “incredible hospitality from his local contacts” right from the start. “I was given the best possible support on my first steps in my adventure as an exchange student,” he says gratefully. The friendships and acquaintances he made with locals not only helped him personally to successfully overcome numerous challenges in his everyday life as a student in the months that followed, but also enabled him to have a wide range of positive experiences that he still remembers fondly today.

IN THE RUN-UP: APPLICATION AND VISA HURDLES

The application process for the American university starts several months before the semester abroad: “You should approach the college proactively,” Tobias recommends. Comprehensive medical documents, vaccinations and tests also need to be obtained. A student visa, other forms, a visit to the embassy and the entry of the visa in your passport are also necessary. There are also fees for this. But there are formalities to overcome in all countries. There are also a few peculiarities that you only get to know once you are there, for example the daily means of payment. It's good to have a small supply of cash with you, but the payment method in the USA is geared towards digital payment, not international cards: “Above all, I would definitely recommend getting a credit card without geo-blocking - I didn't do it and paid heavily for it with numerous annoying moments at the checkouts,” Tobias advises with a grin.

EVERYDAY STUDY LIFE ON SITE: YCP LIVE

Regarding the language level: “At the YCP, a command of English is simply a prerequisite. There are not that many international students, they are assigned to the normal courses.”

“The YCP was an excellent choice in terms of content,” Tobias describes. “The Sports Management program has an excellent reputation and is one of the best in the country.” This reputation is reflected both in the content taught and in the lecturers. In addition, students also have the opportunity to gain experience beyond the classroom on a voluntary basis. “During my stay in York, the program included several lectures by experts from the MLS (Major League Soccer) and the NBA (National Basketball Association),” says Tobias, summing up his enthusiasm.

Regarding student accommodation: there is not just one, but a plethora of accommodation options at the YCP. When choosing, you should be guided by the size of your wallet and good advice from your colleagues.

Although some international students do study in York, there is no real “international program” such as Erasmus for students who only spend one semester abroad. As a result, it is not so easy to make social contacts and you are very dependent on the support of locals. “Nevertheless, you are very much appreciated and there are also a handful of events for internationals such as clubs or theme evenings or the infamous “Deutschtisch” with a professor who teaches English. Speaking of which: after arriving at the college, you receive several boxes of furnishings from this professor, which have been bought together by students from Kufstein over the years and have been stored and managed by her ever since,” Tobias reports on this unbureaucratic aid measure for Kufstein students.

COUNTLESS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to the indescribable campus experience, it was above all the enormous additional development opportunities at the college that “allowed me to gain valuable experience for the future and at the same time represented unforgettable highlights for me personally,” describes the student. “Before I started my time abroad, I could never have imagined talking to recognized NBA reporters, actively helping out at an NFL game day in Baltimore or regularly supporting the college's own sports teams on game days on the sidelines as a student photographer. I also identified one of the main parallels to my education at the Kufstein University in this strong practical orientation.”

“I mainly used my free time to immerse myself in American culture in a variety of ways,” summarizes Tobias. Whether it was traditional celebrations such as Thanksgiving or Halloween, joint excursions to metropolises such as New York City or Washington D.C. or enjoyable restaurant visits, bowling evenings and party nights - the immediate surroundings around the college offered a variety of opportunities to pursue personal hobbies, make the most of your time on site and enjoy the beautiful aspects of the American way of life up close.

Conclusion

“All in all, I can only recommend the experience of a semester abroad in the USA to anyone. For me personally, it was definitely the highlight of my bachelor program - both professionally and personally - and I will definitely remember it positively for a long time to come. With this in mind: GO SPARTANS!”

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