Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Commerce

Being in an altogether different country with different culture, behaviour and languages is quite overwhelming. When I heard about the Semester Exchange Program being conducted by Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences College, I didn’t want to let this opportunity to study one semester abroad go in vain.

I am thankful to IMC University of Applied Science, Krems for providing me with an amazing opportunity. Professors and Students at IMC have helped Foreign Exchange Students to accustom and adapt to their culture to the best of their capacity. The country has been very welcoming. It’s a learning experience that will last for a lifetime.

I had the privilege of studying at the IMC University (Austria) under the Semester Exchange program. It is one of the best things that can happen to you in your academic life. The University I studied at is one of the best in Austria and has several standout perks like the possibility of taking subjects from tourism to business, microbiology while also being a university with 3 different campuses.

I studied not only in the also in vintage classrooms that dated back to the 17th century equipped with all the modern amenities, not to mention the mesmerizing campus. The opportunity to be friends with like-minded students from across the globe, the ability to explore cultures and traditions and the chance to visit some of the most beautiful cities in the world are a few extra-curricular benefits that nothing but a semester I am eternally grateful to Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences College, Satyendra sir, and Muskkan Ma’am for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity chapter in my life. My time abroad is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Leaving home to live in a new country is never easy—but it’s often where the most meaningful growth begins. My semester exchange at the University of Applied Sciences, Steyr, Austria, was far more than just an academic opportunity; it marked a pivotal chapter in my life. From the very start, the experience was a whirlwind of excitement, nervous anticipation, and the thrill of stepping into the unknown. Arriving in Austria was both awe-inspiring and overwhelming—the biting cold, the serene streets, and the unfamiliar environment made everything feel foreign. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there was a quiet comfort in knowing this was the start of something transformative.

Beyond the cultural immersion, this exchange gave me the chance to truly stand on my own. Living in a new country, handling day-to-day responsibilities, and collaborating with international peers helped me grow not just as a student, but as a global citizen. It opened my eyes to different perspectives and helped me form meaningful relationships that crossed borders and backgrounds.

This journey has been nothing short of transformative. It taught me the importance of stepping beyond my comfort zone, the value of human connection, and the strength found in adapting to change. It wasn’t just a study abroad experience—it was a deeply personal journey that reshaped how I see the world and myself.

Spending a semester abroad at the University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria, has truly been one of the most memorable and transformative experiences of my life. It wasn’t just about studying in a new country—it was about stepping out of my comfort zone, learning to manage life on my own, and discovering different cultures through real, everyday interactions.

Academically, the experience gave me a fresh perspective on finance. Learning from international faculty and peers introduced me to new approaches and real-world case studies, making the subject more practical and globally relevant. One of the best experiences for me was participating in the International Fair, where we got to represent India. Dressed in traditional clothes, we served homemade Indian snacks and sweets, decorated our table with vibrant colors, and played Bollywood music. Watching people from different countries try Indian food for the first time or dance to our songs was such a proud and joyful moment. It felt amazing to share a part of my culture with the world and see how warmly it was received.

Living in Austria taught me to adapt, stay resilient, and embrace diversity. This journey made me more confident, independent, and open-minded—both personally and professionally. I’ll always be thankful to my college and the University of Applied Sciences, Steyr, for giving me this opportunity. It’s something I’ll carry with me forever.

I was always very eager to go to foreign lands, far from India, to see the place and experience the food and culture there. It was my dream to go all alone, to stay and study in a totally different and diverse country, and to experience what I had been reading in books and newspapers. When such an opportunity came up from Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences College, I just grabbed it. My first week in DBHW was absolute fun where there were lot of activities along with studies.

We were taught German language with so many fun filled activities (like city treasure hunts where all clues were in basic German language), that I enjoyed studying in an informal setup with an outside class atmosphere. I met students from 19 different countries with varied backgrounds. The teachers were extremely helpful, very polite and as interested in countries where we had come from, as much as we were interested in knowing more about Germany.To study a subject from a totally different point of view, makes me more analytical and understanding of a different perspective altogether. It is nothing short of a dream come true for me, thanks to Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences College and their wonderful faculty.

I am thankful for giving me this opportunity to experience the summer semester as an exchange student in the partnered university at Stuttgart ,Germany (DHBW). The University very warmly welcomed us by explaining some facts about Germany along with it’s culture and work ethics. It was initially challenging for us to communicate locally because of the language barrier that we faced. German language being a mandatory course helped us in due course to understand things better.

The staff and teachers at the university really brought us to ease by being cooperative and prompt while answering all our queries. We got to meet people from different parts of the world like Mexico, Turkey, Egypt, Bulgaria, South Korea etc. I already see a change in me as a person and hope that it helps me to become a better person.

Somaiya Vidyavihar University provided me with an opportunity to study abroad for one semester. I completed my spring semester at IMC University of Applied Science, Krems-Austria. Our home university was there for help whenever needed along with the university where I went for my programme. The international office made sure we have no trouble and kept on checking on us.

One quality that attracted me to IMC university was its flexibility in regard to the subjects we wanted to study, we were allowed to take up any subject of our choice. I studied a few subjects from Tourism management, International business and Business Administration.

I thank S K Somaiya and Somaiya Vidyavihar University for providing me with this opportunity and for giving me moral support. Studying abroad gave me a chance to know about a new culture, people, methods of learning and a new country. I’m happy that I could be a part of this program.

I pursued semester exchange program at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Germany. The experience so far has been enriching and has widened my business learning with multinational fellow students. I got a broader perspective on international business, communication, and business dynamics with more than 15 economies at a time.

It’s big learning of doing business with cultural differences and similarities. This program also developed my vision for the international business climate for my future endeavours. I am grateful to Somaiya Vidyavihar University for giving me this opportunity.

I am very grateful to Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences College for providing me with this great opportunity. It's been a few months now and I have met a lot of international students here. Interacting with people from all over the world gave me an exposure to different cultures and traditions. This exchange program not only provided me with a different perspective to look at things but also helped me learn a lot of new skills.

The teaching style and approach is very different here and interesting too. It helped me get deep insights into the business array and a vision for the future and what the world holds for it. I gained a lot of new experiences and independence after coming here. Lastly, this exchange semester was a step outside my comfort zone and has proved to be totally worth it.

My experience through the Student Exchange program has become one of the most influential aspects of my entire life. I studied at Saints Martins University in the USA for the spring semester.

I am so thankful to Somaiya Vidyavihar University for giving me such a fantastic opportunity. I am amazed at how much I can learn just from traveling to another country, knowing their culture and format of studies. The coordinators at Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences College and my host university have made me feel welcomed and supported. I have grown so much as a person just by taking this step to explore my potential.

I indeed got the opportunity to host a cultural event showcasing the country and talk about our home university, which was a proud moment. I want to encourage all somaiyans to participate in such a program which is an excellent effort by our university to provide the student with a beautiful opportunity to explore the world.

Studying in an international environment was both academically and personally enriching, allowing me to gain fresh academic perspectives while engaging with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Building meaningful friendships and immersing myself in different cultures contributed significantly to my personal growth and broadened my global outlook.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to pursue my exchange semester at DHBW Stuttgart, Germany. Experiencing a new country both culturally and academically helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow as an individual.

Embracing a new culture, building friendships, and learning under inspiring mentors made this journey truly memorable.