Big Sky, Bigger Dreams: My Semester Abroad in Bozeman, Montana

My journey started all the way back in fall 2023 when I decided to apply for a semester abroad in the United States. After a consultation session in the International Office – Welcome Center I chose to go with the ISEP programme. A one-time payment of 2500 euros covers a whole semester of housing, food and tuition fees.

In Spring 2024 I got accepted by ISEP for a placement at Montana State University in a small town called Bozeman, Montana. From there on, I did lots of research, for instance looking into housing options or student organisations and events on campus. Finding out about the offered courses in the upcoming semester and comparing them to my curriculum at TU Graz was one of the most important tasks.

Would you like to find out more about the ISEP exchange program? You can find more information about the programme and the application process in the TU4U intranet on the page “ISEP - International Student Exchange Program - outside Europe”.

My first Week in the Wild West

Four months after my acceptance I was finally there. My first week truly felt like a movie: college football with a marching band, a double room in a freshmen dorm, a rodeo as authentic as it can be and casually hiking a 3000 metres mountain with newly made friends from all around the world.

Greek life is big - fraternities and sororities such as Kappa Sigma or Sigma Chi recruit freshmen and celebrate big parties and welcome events. The Wild West stereotypes are true – walking around in a cowboy hat and boots is completely normal. But so is wearing all sorts of outdoor gear brands. Bozeman really is the place to be if you enjoy nature and all sorts of outdoor activities. The area around Bozeman is famous for sports such as rock-climbing, rafting, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing and many more!

Classes and Campus Life

Currently doing my Master’s Degree in Information and Computer Engineering at TU Graz I had no trouble finding fitting courses at MSU. Academically, it took some time to adapt to the American system. The courses are more practical and include a lot more weekly quizzes and homework. Committing to a routine and creating to-do lists helped me a lot to keep track of deadlines.

My classes were eight minutes away from my dorm – at most. In addition to that, other facilities such as the gym (which includes a climbing and boulder wall as well as two saunas and a swimming pool) or the post office were easily accessible since they were also right on campus. Living right on campus in the so-called „North Hedges“, the Miller dining hall was connected to our building so we did not even had to go outside to get food. With the included meal plan, which allows free access to various canteens and cafés on campus, there are plenty of options and no limit on how much or often you go for a coffee with friends.

I also joined the Spikeball Club at MSU. Three training sessions a week made sure I enhanced my skills and techniques. I also got to make friends with some locals. We also went on three weekend trips to out-of-state tournaments.

On the road again

I am truly thankful I got to meet so many nice people right from the start. Two weeks into my semester, I already went on a road trip to Glacier National Park with six other exchange students at MSU. From scenic hikes in amazing mountain ranges to incredible wildlife sightings – this trip carried so many emotions and unique experiences I will never forget. Over the course of my semester, I went on several other road trips including places like Badlands, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. The Northern Rockies are a true gem.

For thanksgiving, me and a friend of mine decided to go on a twelve day road trip to the south. Trying to make the most of our time we visited all sorts of national parks and places such as Las Vegas, Death Valley, Mojave Desert, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches. We drove through eight states, covered over 6000 kilometres and spent over 76 hours in the car driving. Spending the nights in a car in sleeping bags and singing along iconic American hits was so much fun. The sheer number of hilarious situations we have been in, breath-taking views, canned food meals and deep talks on the road are things I will never forget.

From hiking in the Northern Rockies and swimming in glacier water to football games and spikeball tournaments, multi-day road trips and Halloween parties – this semester at MSU was nothing short but extraordinary. Looking back, I could have never imagined just how much joy, adventures and unforgettable experiences this semester would bring.