This is an English translation of the original Japanese text (please refer to the German website) using AI.

What was your general impression about this exchange program?

Most of the friends I made at TU Wien came from EU member states. They have access to a special program called Erasmus+, which allows them to study in other EU countries and earn credits relatively easily. As Japanese students, however, we are not eligible to participate in this program. Of course, the staff at TU Wien's International Office treated us equally and were equally supportive of all students. Nevertheless, I believe that this exchange program, organized through JASEC, provided me with comprehensive support tailored to the needs of Japanese exchange students.

What was difficult for you or what was easier than you expected?

I had more difficulty obtaining my visa than friends who began their exchange programs at around the same time. Since there were no deficiencies in my application documents, perhaps this was simply a matter of the particular circumstances of living in Vienna. On the other hand, life in Europe, which I had both looked forward to and felt anxious about, turned out to be relatively easy to manage. Perhaps because Vienna is an international city that hosts the United Nations, English is widely understood throughout much of the city. Shopping and administrative procedures other than those related to my visa went smoothly, and I found Vienna to be a very comfortable city to live in.

How was your interaction with local students and teaching staff?

All of my local friends treated me with exceptional kindness and hospitality. The extent to which people here go out of their way to be kind to their friends was one of the most surprising and memorable aspects of my time abroad. The staff at the International Office also responded promptly and courteously whenever I contacted them with questions about administrative procedures.

Was it good to have other Japanese exchange students around?

It is often said that language skills improve more quickly when there are no other Japanese people around. However, I also believe that sharing ideas and experiences with fellow Japanese students is important. When friends from other countries ask me about Japan, discussing questions such as, "This is how I see it, but what do you think?" can broaden our perspectives and encourage us to reconsider our own country from a different point of view.

Was it helpful for you to have a home base at the JASEC office?

It was very helpful to have a space that was almost exclusively available for my use. It was also convenient that JASEC staff members were frequently present in the office, making it easy to approach them whenever I needed advice or assistance.

Did you get sufficient support when you needed help?

The staff were so attentive and supportive that I almost felt I had caused them too much trouble with my requests. I was very grateful for their help.

How was your experience in the student accommodation?

Although I did not share a room with anyone, I spent time in the communal kitchen almost every day and made friends with other residents. I enjoyed working out together at the gym, playing video games, and going out for meals on several occasions.

How was Vienna and Austria for you?

Although there are not many places for entertainment and leisure, what I appreciated most was that Vienna, like Japan, experiences all four seasons, and I was able to fully enjoy the distinctive characteristics of each season.

What did you do in your free time (travelling, sightseeing)?

Taking advantage of Austria's central location in Europe, I travelled to various countries for my research.

And maybe other information you can think of that would be useful for future students to know.

I had expected that my experience would have been even more fulfilling if I could speak German. However, since English is widely understood in Vienna, I believe that prioritizing spoken English is the better approach.

Political and social issues can suddenly become topics of conversation among friends. Therefore, I recommend keeping up with international affairs and learning how to explain political and social issues in Japan in English. I would not want future exchange students to experience the frustration of being unable to express their thoughts or participate fully in conversations with their friends because they lack this knowledge or the necessary English vocabulary.