MY STUDENT MOBILITY IN VIENNA
Dunja Savić
Between February and June, I had the pleasure of studying at the University of Applied Arts in
Vienna as part of the Erasmus program. Although my mobility lasted only four months, I truly feel
that I was able to experience Vienna as my home and become part of its everyday life.
Just like the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade has several buildings, the University of Applied
Arts in Vienna also consists of multiple locations, all modernly equipped for various fields of applied
arts. Each building offers students everything they need for their work, and more. Faced with so
many opportunities and resources, I was initially worried that I might miss out on something. I tried
to choose courses that covered as many different areas as possible, but even so, it was impossible
to take advantage of everything the university has to offer.
The teaching approach and class organization are significantly different from what I was used to
in Belgrade. Classes are not strictly divided by year – students from all levels work together,
creating a dynamic and inspiring environment where ideas and experiences are constantly
exchanged. The university also provides plenty of spaces for independent work, and an additional
advantage is that it is open 24 hours a day. This allows students to complete their projects without
time constraints and made the university feel like a second home.
As part of one of the courses, I had the opportunity to visit the archives of the University of Applied
Arts in Vienna, where I saw student works by artists such as Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and
many others.
In addition to academic responsibilities, the university often organized various activities such as
peer talks, film screenings, study trips, and numerous events for students. These gatherings gave
me the opportunity to meet many fellow students, including other Erasmus participants. At one of
these events, I met Ajša, a girl from Slovenia who studies in Rotterdam, and we soon became very
close friends. Together, we attended weekly film screenings at the Academy of Fine Arts and
explored a variety of exhibitions in Vienna.
These four months in Vienna left a deep mark on both my artistic and personal development. The
chance to experience a different educational approach, meet new people and cultures, and work
in an environment that fosters creativity and independence was truly invaluable and irreplaceable.
