JKU / Center for Distance Learning

My Journey to Studying in Austria

Hey everyone! I am studying at JKU Linz right now. I am originally from Russia, but I have always wanted to move and study abroad. To make this happen, I first had to complete my first year of university in Russia, which I successfully managed to do. After that, I took an academic leave of absence; this gave me a great opportunity to work and save money for my future studies in Austria. Upon arriving, I was enrolled in a pre-study program where I had to pass several supplementary exams. While Chemistry and History went well, the Austrian Mathematics curriculum was quite difficult for me. I initially failed the exam, but after some negotiations, I was enrolled for the Summer Semester 2026. Now, I cannot wait to start my studies! During the preparation phase, I attended preparatory courses for Chemistry and Physics. The professors were always ready to help and provided as much information as needed. The Physics professor also gave us assignments to complete at home, which we would then discuss together during the lectures. Overall, I am very satisfied with the university. It offers excellent facilities, including a learning center, a library, and a science park—all of which are located on a single campus. This was a pleasant surprise for me; at my university in Russia, the buildings were scattered all over the city, making it very difficult to travel between them during the short breaks between lectures. The only thing that upsets me is the difficulty of the Mathematics exam; I wish it were a bit simpler. Regardless, I am so happy that I made my dream come true and that I am finally studying abroad.