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Hagenberg CaMPUS
School of Informatics,Communications and Media
guide for International Students
Upper austria University of applied Sciences
www.fh-ooe.at/campus-hagenberg
Part of
Softwarepark
Hagenberg
Hagenberg CaMPUS 2
guide for International Students
ContentsLife as an International Student in austria General Information about Hagenberg .................................................................................................... 4
Universities of applied Sciences in austria – Hagenberg Campus ...................................... 5
Our Degree Programmes Bachelor’s Degree Programmes: Communication and Knowledge Media ................................................................................................... 6 Hardware-Software-Design ..................................................................................................................... 6 Media Technology and Design ................................................................................................................ 6 Medical & Bioinformatics ......................................................................................................................... 6 Mobile Computing ................................................................................................................................... 6 Secure Information Systems ................................................................................................................... 6 Software Engineering ............................................................................................................................... 6 Master’s Degree Programmes: Biomedical Informatics ............................................................................................................................ 7 Communication and Knowledge Media .................................................................................................. 7 Digital Arts ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Embedded Systems Design .................................................................................................................... 7 Information and Engineering Management (part time) ............................................................................ 7 Interactive Media ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Mobile Computing ................................................................................................................................... 8 Secure Information Systems ................................................................................................................... 8 Software Engineering .............................................................................................................................. 8
Internationalisation International Office Hagenberg / Contact ................................................................................................ 9 Arrival Dates / Grading System / ECTS .................................................................................................... 9
Hagenberg Campus: Services and Facilities Internet and Intranet / Student ID Card / IT Information / Pick-up Service / Library / Accommodation ....10
academic Information Academic Calendar / Types of Classes .................................................................................................. 11 Attendance Policy / Examinations .......................................................................................................... 12
Hagenberg Campus: events / Free Time activities Sports & Leisure ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Dos and Don’ts ....................................................................................................................................... 14
essential Information Survival German for Student Life / Registration with the Local Authorities ........................................... 15 Climate and Clothing / Currency / Living Costs in Hagenberg / Banking Hours / Credit Cards ............ 16 Medical Services and Pharmacies / Emergency Numbers .................................................................... 17 Health Insurance Coverage / Non-emergency Medical Treatment ........................................................ 17 Infrastructure / Getting to Hagenberg / Public Transport ...................................................................... 18
International Students in Hagenberg ............................................................................................. 19
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WALESENGLAND
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BELGIUM
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austriaAustria is a beautifulcountry with a great culturalheritage, located in the heart of Europe. It is the home of Mozart, Klimt, Freud, and “The Sound of Music”. Austria’s snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes and rivers and historic cities like Vienna and Salzburg attract tourists from all over the world. The economy is very much export-orientated and the standard of living is high. The national language is German, but most people speak some English.
Upper austriaThe state of Upper Austria is located in the northern part of Austria and combines natural beauty with a thriv-ing economy. Upper Austria is one of Europe’s leading regions in education, technology and employment; in fact, about 25% of Austria’s total exports originate here.
The Upper austria University of applied Sciences (FH OÖ)
The Upper Austria University of Applied Sciencesis the largest university of applied sciences in Austria and is an integral part of the tertiary education system. The organisation is defined by the requirements of regional employment and research needs. Four locations in Upper Austria’s central area offer innovative and inter-disciplinary academic degrees, each with a different focus.
>> School of Informatics, Communications and Media – Hagenberg Campus
>> School of Applied Health and Social Sciences – Linz Campus
>> School of Management – Steyr Campus>> School of Engineering and Environmental
Sciences – Wels Campus
Vienna
Study abroad in Upper austria
Studies with a Future
Hagenberg CaMPUS 4
Studying in austria
Life as an International Student in austriaCongratulations on your decision to embark on one of life’s great adventures: a period of residence and study abroad. We hope that your stay here will be a wonderful, unforgettable experience for you.
International exchange students the world over usually experience different phases of adjustment during their stay abroad. At first you will probably see everything through the eyes of a tourist. Everything is new and exotic. After this stage you get down to the business of living your everyday life, which for some people is accompanied by a sense of disorientation or culture shock. This is a quite natural phenomenon when someone is in completely unfamiliar surroundings where everything is new.
If this affects you, please do not hesitate to speak to one of the staff involved in internationalisation. We have been through this ourselves and will be more than willing to listen and talk with you about it. You may also find it helpful to bear in mind that this is a phase that will pass and in the meantime try to keep an open mind and seek contact with other people.
general Information about Hagenberg
Hagenberg is an idyllic town in the beautiful Mühlviertel, in the heart of Upper Austria. In the last decade, Hagenberg has established itself as an internationally recognised center for comput- ing and software development.
The Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, Hagenberg Campus is part of Softwarepark Hagenberg, the largest technology park for soft- ware in Central Europe. The university was founded by RISC (Research Institute for Symbolic Computation), one of the eight research institutes of the Softwarepark. The university and its students benefit from the vigorous interaction and synergy between the research institutes, the companies and the various educational institu-tions within Softwarepark Hagenberg.
Prof. Bruno Buchberger (Founder & Head of Softwarepark Hagen-
berg) Prof. Ingrid Schaumüller (Vice-Dean for Internationalisation &
Research, School of Informatics, Communications & Media)
The outstanding mix of the most modern technol- ogy combined with the picturesque setting of the Hagenberg castle gives the town its unique flair. Located just 20km north of Linz, Hagenberg offers internationally recognised, practice-oriented degree programmes in the field of Information Technology away from the bustle of the big city, yet with easy access to the resources of the pro-vincial capital.
The University of Applied Sciences is housed in a futuristic building equipped with the latest tech-nology. Our modern facilities include a bio lab, a video studio with green box and an audio studio. There are currently more than 1.300 students in Hagenberg studying towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the fields of Information and Media Technology.
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Universities of applied Sciences in austriaUniversities of Applied Sciences – in German “Fachhochschulen” (FH) – are relatively new in Austria: the law authorising their introduction was passed in the early ’90s and the first degree programmes were launched in autumn 1994. The aim of Austria’s Universities of Applied Sciences is to provide a more prac-tice-oriented education to complement the range of courses offered by traditional universities. Education is founded on academic, research-based principles; Universities of Applied Sciences are required to carry out applied research and development, which are integrated into the curricula. Students are involved in R&D projects already from an early stage of their studies.
Keeping in line with the Bologna Declaration, however, the transition to the Bachelor/Master system at the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences has already been completed in nearly all degree pro-grammes. The transition does not only serve to improve international comparability and recognition, but also leads to a greater degree of flexibility for the students.
Hagenberg Campus
The academic programmes in Hagenberg are divided into three main fields:
>> Informatics, Communications and Media
Each programme has a clearly defined and industry-oriented focus. These focus areas include software development, hardware and software in-terfaces, applications in the field of mobile devices and security-related aspects of modern communi-cation, in addition to the technical, organisational, and design-related issues in the field of media. Courses in business administration and project management complement the curricula, resulting in graduates who are highly qualified for leading positions within the IT and media industry.
Studying in austria
The Structure of our Degree Programmes
The Bachelor’s degree programmes (three years, 180 ECTS) require a one term professional intern-ship during which students work in companies or research institutes in Austria or abroad. Training in social skills is an additional feature of our pro-grammes.
The Master’s degree programmes (two years, 120 ECTS) offer in-depth specialisation in specific fields with emphasis on strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Final Degree awarded
Eligible for Doctoral study programme at a university
Master(4 Sem.)
Bachelor(6 Sem.)
Pre-entry course for university
General university entrance qualification
Hagenberg CaMPUS 6
Hagenberg Campus
Our Degree Programmes
Communication and Knowledge MediaThe elemental tension in the man-machine dynamic is at the heart of this degree programme’s interdisciplinary approach to the cybernetics of technology and its users. Themes covered range from e-learning to knowledge management and corporate communications. Our programme aims to equip graduates with the problem-solving skills to develop practical applications in the context of teamwork-based implementation strategies.
Media Technology and DesignAchieving the perfect combination of the latest technology, content and design is essential for success in the field of digital media. This programme provides students with the technical expertise, design knowledge and communication skills to face this challenge. A solid education and experience with professional equipment enable students to realise innovative concepts.
Hardware-Software-DesignGraduates of this degree programme are highly skilled in the computer-aided design of integrated VLSI circuits, in applying microcontroller and peripherals, in writing efficient software, and in optimis- ing systems as a whole. The programme also focuses on electronics, computer architecture, commu-nications engineering and software development.
Mobile ComputingMobile computing is the technology of the future. This programme equips students with substantial knowledge in the fields of communications technology, informatics and application development for mobile phones, PDAs and more so that they can devise innovative services and applications also in technical terms and professionally manage projects in the field.
Secure Information SystemsThis degree programme focuses on all forms of security measures in connection with the organisati-on and operation of computer systems and networks as well as the transfer, storage and archiving of electronic data.
Software engineering (full-time and part-time)In this degree programme students are trained to recognise, analyse, model, implement or improve business and technical processes in terms of appropriate software. The aim is to enable them to develop software with the most modern methods of software technology for all areas of application.
bachelor’s Degree Programmes:
Medical & bioinformaticsDeployment of the latest information technology is now an essential component of the most effective medical provision and to progress biomedical science. Medical informatics underpins all aspects of optimal healthcare provision for patients while bioinformatics plays a crucial role in helping to identify the genetic causes of illness and develop new drugs.
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Digital artsThe Master’s programme Digital Arts is a production and design-orientated programme focusing on computer animation, motion picture and games. Students are provided with the creative, design and technical skills needed to perform innovative and professional work in the media production industry.
Interactive MediaInteractive Media is a Master’s programme focusing on technical issues related to interactive compu-ting, game development and online media. Graduates are provided with the skills to develop, design and implement innovative projects in the industry.
embedded Systems Design This interdisciplinary programme covers all aspects of embedded systems whic are ubiquitous in dai-ly life, covering for instance products such as handheld devices, medical devices and automotives. They combine hard- and software in real-time applications. The complexity of such a system requires skills in system design, verification and simulation as well as in embedded software development, communication engineering and VLSI chip design.
Information and engineering Management (part-time)The goal of this part-time Master’s programme is to give graduates of typical information technology studies — especially those in software engineering, informatics, etc. — the opportunity to further develop themselves in the area of IT management (Department Head of EDP, IT Manager, CIO, etc.). Particular emphasis is placed on the new circumstances inherent in such positions of management.
biomedical InformaticsRecent research has shown that many illnesses have genetic causes. Our Master’s programme equips students with the competencies to support doctors in areas such as diagnosis and therapy based on in-depth knowledge of IT tools and methodologies underpinned by a thorough grounding in medicine and molecular biology. The resulting development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methods is instrumental in the provision of optimal care for patients.
Master’s Degree Programmes:
Communication and Knowledge MediaOnline media play an increasingly important role in corporate communication strategies, and being equipped to meet the challenges of future internet development is of crucial importance. Core courses in communication, social and media science as well as elective modules in web develop-ment will ensure you have the relevant know-how. The programme also takes in key design-related skills essential for innovative and creative PR and knowledge management.
Hagenberg CaMPUS 8
Secure Information SystemsThis programme offers a chance for individual in-depth studies and specialisation in varied areas of IT security. Its main focus is on practical training as well as independent and systematic work with an emphasis on the development of communication skills. The modules Computer & Network Forensics, Cryptography, Advanced Networking and Law & Experts can be combined individually.
Software engineering (full-time and part-time)The Master’s programme Software Engineering offers students a profound and modern education in all aspects relevant to complex software systems (e.g. architecture, security, and fault tolerance) and to the main instances of such systems (e.g. heterogeneous, distributed, and mobile).
Mobile Computing Building on our Bachelor’s programme of the same name, students will undertake a more in-depth examination of the almost limitless possibilities of a truly global, all-pervasive, mobile computing con-nectivity. The challenge is adapting ever newer technological applications and environmentally sensitive automated systems across the full spectrum of everyday activities – including sport, medicine and care of the elderly – to create ever more powerful and user-friendly synergies.
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The Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences maintains contacts to partner universities on almost all continents. The university’s International Office is in charge of international relations and facilitates exchanges of students and academic staff. Each campus has its own International Office.
Internationalisation is changing the face of busi-ness today and must therefore play an integral role in the education of future business people. Hagenberg Campus therefore has a firm commit-ment to providing its students with opportunities to broaden their horizons on an international level, not least by encouraging them to complete part of their studies abroad, either at a partner institu-tion or by doing their internships abroad.
In addition to this, courses in various foreign languages and cultures taught almost exclu- sively by native speakers, frequent international faculty exchanges, and the increasing number of courses in other subjects held in English, encour- age students to accept English as a language of everyday communication while gaining insight into different cultures.
The presence of foreign exchange students also makes an important contribution to the internatio-nalisation of the campus environment and students are encouraged to benefit from this to the full by taking part in the Buddy System and generally seeking contact with students from other cultures.
Contact
>> International Office Hagenberg Interim until November 2010: Martina Gaisch Head of Int. Office: Christina Huber-Beran Phone: +43 (0)7236 3888-1530 [email protected] www.fh-ooe.at/campus-hagenberg/international
Hagenberg Campus
Internationalisationarrival Dates
Exact arrival dates for specific semesters can be found on the incoming students’ pages of our website and are also given in the welcome letter that we send to students whose applications have been accepted.
grading System
The Austrian education system works with 5 grades:
Austrian Grade Equivalent
sehr gut (1) excellent
gut (2) very good
befriedigend (3) satisfactory
genügend (4) sufficient
nicht genügend (5) fail
Usually 50% of available points have to be ob-tained to pass an exam, but professors can define their own assessment criteria.
eCTS
ECTS (“European Credit Transfer System”) credits are a numerical value (between 1 and 60) allocated to course units to denote the student workload required to complete them. They reflect a quantity of work required by each course unit in relation to the total quantity of work necessary to complete a full year of academic study at the institution that includes, lectures, practical work, seminars, tutorials, fieldwork and private study as well as assessment activities. The ECTS is thus based on a full student workload and not limited to contact hours only. The basic allocation of academic cred-its in ECTS is 60 credits for a full year of study, 30 credits for a semester, or 20 credits per term.
Credits are awarded only when the course has been completed and all required examinations have been passed. In other words, students do not get ECTS credits simply for attending classes or spending time abroad, but must fulfil the assessment requirements of the host institution to demonstrate that they satisfy the specified learning objectives for the course unit.
Hagenberg CaMPUS 10
Hagenberg Campus
Services and FacilitiesInternet and Intranet
Students have unlimited free access to the in-ternet from numerous computers throughout the university building. Every student is also linked to the intranet and given a personal e-mail account. Student ID Card
At the secretary’s office, you will get your student ID card which contains your student number. The ID card also works as a key to the rooms where students have free access.
These are: student working rooms, the computer labs as well as other labs in which you might be working throughout the semester.
IT Information
Login ProcedureBefore you can log in for the first time, you need to register with the campus IT system. After regis-tration you will receive your student ID. In order to log in to your personal account, you have to enter a user name and a password.
Web Mail SystemEach student is provided with a defined e-mail address. It is a combination of your registration number and “@fh-hagenberg.at”.In order to log in to the web mail system, you have to start the browser first and then link to https://mail.fh-hagenberg.at.
Pick-up Service
Students who arrive by train or aeroplane can be picked up by our students.
Library
All students will be issued student ID cards enabling them to withdraw books from the library at Hagenberg Campus. Further information on the use of the library will be provided during the first days in Hagenberg.
accommodation
Student housing is available nearby, ranging from on-campus halls of residence to private on-cam-pus as well as off-campus accommodation. If you would like assistance arranging accommodation please contact the International Office (the ac-commodation form can be downloaded from our website). More information about the student hall of residence is available at www.studentenwerk.at. There you will find information about current rates and facilities. Please note that a security deposit in the amount of the monthly rent has to be paid in advance. The first month’s rate will have to be paid within the first days after arrival! There are also private rooms and apartments available for rent in Hagenberg and the surrounding area. For more information contact the municipality:
>> Marktgemeinde Hagenberg 4232 Hagenberg/Austria, Kirchenplatz 5a Phone: +43 (0)7236 2318, Fax: -3 [email protected] www.oberoesterreich.at/hagenberg
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academic Calendar
Hagenberg Campus has an academic year divided into two semesters.
>> Winter Semester: Beginning of October to mid-February >> Summer Semester: Beginning of March to mid-July >> Examination Period: End of January to Mid-February (winter semester) End of June to Mid-July (summer semester)>> Breaks: Christmas (2 weeks), February (1 to 4 weeks), Easter (1 week), summer holidays in July/ August/September (12 weeks).
1 January New Year’s Day – Neujahrstag
6 January Epiphany – Hl. Drei Könige 1 May Labour Day – Tag der Arbeit 26 October Austrian National Holiday – Nationalfeiertag 1 November All Saints’ Day – Allerheiligen 8 December Immaculate Conception – Maria Empfängnis
>> The following church holidays are also public holidays in Austria:
Ascension Day Christi Himmelfahrt Whitsuntide Pfingsten Corpus Christi Fronleichnam Assumption Maria Himmelfahrt Easter Monday Ostermontag
Types of Classes
While some subjects are presented as traditional lectures, others are taught in the form of semi-nars, project work and skills practice or a combi-nation of these methods.
Hagenberg Campus
academic Information
Seminars and WorkshopsThese are classes in which students research topics and present and discuss them within a relatively small group. These can, in some cases, augment project work.
Block InstructionIn some cases – primarily in the case of seminars and workshops – instruction does not take place weekly, but is instead delivered in blocks of more intensive instruction (e.g. one block every two weeks or even one block per term). Blocks may also be held as immersion courses on weekends.
ExcursionsSome courses occasionally include excursions, and attendance is generally obligatory. Any costs that arise for entrance fees, accommodation or other expenses are paid by the students.
Project WorkThese are not theoretical projects but “real” work – with all the responsibilities that go along with it and have therefore proven popular with our exchange students in recent semesters.
Although the primary language of instruction at Hagenberg Campus is German, as part of our commit-ment to internationalisation an increasing number of courses are offered in English. Courses in German are available to foreign exchange students with sufficient command of the German language. A catalogue of courses currently taught in English is available on request from our International Office.
Hagenberg CaMPUS 12
Students are supervised and guided by a faculty member but most of the time they work on their own. Finally, the teams have to present their results to both their supervising faculty member and the company.
The main aim of these projects is to train the students in teamwork. Teamwork and team spirit are key elements of our university’s philosophy – students learn to work together rather than com-peting with one another.
attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend and participate fully in all lectures, seminars and projects in which they have elected to take part. Attendance lists may be kept at the discretion of the individual faculty members.
The examination period is from the end of January to mid-February in the winter semester and from the end of June to mid-July in the summer semes-ter. Students will be informed of the date, place and time of examinations, and given details of the examination procedure by the course instructor in due course.
The lectures are assessed by a final course exa-mination. A number of individual exams are also
permissible should the didactic concept render this possible. The academic achievement for tutorials, seminars, projects, integrated courses, laboratory and behaviour training is usually sub-ject to continuous assessment during the course (course immanent examination).
examinations
In general, registration for a course at the begin-ning of term counts as registration for the examina-tion. The only exceptions are changes made to the Learning Agreement within the prescribed period. To complete a term successfully, students must be examined for every course they have attended. Ex-aminations may take various forms: formal written or oral examinations, assessment of coursework, a combination of the two or other means such as presentations during seminars, etc.
Students are expected to be present to sit exams here in Hagenberg. However, in exceptional cases (e.g. clashing semester dates between home university and Hagenberg, urgent appoint-ments, illness), when a student needs to leave Hagenberg Campus earlier, it is possible to take an exam by fax. However, this solution is not the norm and if there is such a necessity, we need to have confirmation of it from the student’s home university or employer. Moreover, all details have to be discussed with the respective professor here in Hagenberg before leaving.
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Sports & Leisure
Of course there’s more to student life in Hagen-berg than just studying – there are plenty of lei-sure time activities to pursue here as well. Movie nights and student parties regularly take place on campus.
Especially those interested in sports will find a variety of suitable facilities in Hagenberg. You can register at the FH Sports Club (FH-Sportverein) which offers the following sports activities:dance, football, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, basketball, climbing, fitness center, running, kickboxing and back-strengthening exercises.
Registration for the Sports Club is possible during the first two weeks of each semester. More information about registration and prices can be obtained from the FH Sports Club at >> www.fh-ooe.at/sportverein
Hagenberg Campus
Events / Free Time Activities
In the winter, the gentle slopes in the Mühlviertel and the majestic mountains in the south of Upper Austria (Salzkammergut) and the neighbouring provinces of Salzburg and Styria offer plenty of opportunity for skiing and snowboarding. In the winter semester we usually organise a skiing day with our exchange students.
There are bus connections to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, on a daily basis. A bus trip to Linz takes about 40 minutes, by car it only takes about 20 minutes. There are a number of museums and other cultural landmarks in Linz, which was the official European Cultural Capital in 2009.
Hagenberg Campus organises a varied programme of events ranging from the legendary “Summer Fest”, the “Bierkistenrennen” (beer race) or the “Hagenberg Highland Games” and to more formal events such as the “Study Abroad Fair” (where incoming students have the opportunity to present their home univer-sities) and “Hagenberg Campus Ball” in the winter semester to which formal evening dress must be worn. Staff versus students soccer matches are also very popular on our campus!
Hagenberg CaMPUS 14
Austria is a German speaking country. The current students’ generation is the first that received a good general education in English from primary school onwards. However, many of the older peo-ple don’t speak any foreign languages. In tourist areas many people do in fact speak English but elsewhere most shop assistants and waiters speak very little English if any. Especially the older genera-tion may consider it arrogant to expect everyone to speak English. Showing respect for Austrian culture by learning a few key words of German can help make everyday communication run more smoothly.
“Bitte” please
“Danke” thank you
“Entschuldigung” excuse me / pardon me
“Guten Morgen” good morning
“Grüß Gott” hello (formal)
“Guten Abend” good evening
“Auf Wiedersehen” goodbye
When entering shops, especially smaller ones, but even larger ones, greet the salesperson. A “Grüß Gott” is simply expected of well-mannered persons. This even applies to outdoor markets.
In Austria it is traditional that academic degrees and some professional qualifications are used as titles. Especially in academic environments many Austri-ans are quite sensitive about this and feel insulted if not addressed by their titles. Although many of the academic staff at Hagenberg Campus prefer to be addressed simply as “Herr A” or “Frau B”, this is not the norm. Whenever you are in a company, doing some project work however, always pay attention to the company culture. When in doubt, it is always better to use the title than to omit it. If it is not common in the company to use titles you will be told so. Whenever talking to staff of a traditional university never forget to use their title.
Austrians usually take their shoes off as soon as they enter someone’s home. Most of the time the host responds by telling you not to do so; it is however better to take them off nevertheless as
Living in austria
Dos and Don’ts
the host’s request to leave them on might be just politeness. If other guests are present the easiest way is to do as they do to get it right.
Austrian waiters generally expect tips. This ap-plies not only in restaurants but also in cafés and pubs. It is not customary to leave the tip on the table when leaving but to inform the waiter when paying what he should keep. For example, if the bill comes to € 9.20, you should round it up and tell him “make it 10”. In good restaurants Austri-ans tip 10% for particularly good service.
When invited to someone’s home for a party or a meal it is always wise to bring along a little present. Austrians usually bring along a bottle of wine, sweets, flowers, etc.
Never take purchases you have made elsewhere into shops selling similar products in Austria. You may be asked to show the contents of your shop-ping bag or backpack at the checkout and it can lead to difficulties if you have products in your bag that are also sold in the shop concerned. Many large stores provide lockers in which you can leave your shopping before you enter.
Under Austrian law it is compulsory to sepa-rate your rubbish for recycling. Special bins are provided for glass, metal, plastic packaging, organic waste, recyclable paper and remaining non-recyclable waste. Additionally, all packaging materials have to be washed before being thrown away. In order to maintain a harmonious relation-ship with your neighbours, landlord and even to avoid problems with the authorities, it is important that you comply with this law.
15
Survival german for Student Life
This short glossary of German terms related to life at Hagenberg Campus should help you in your orientation as a student here.
Living in austria
essential Informationregistration with the Local authorities
EU Citizens: For students from EU countries and Switzerland, a valid passport is sufficient.
Non-EU Citizens: Non-EU citizens have to contact the local Austrian Consulate/Embassy in their home country for details regarding current visa regulations for Austria. In order to enter Austria and to live here, you have to apply for a residence permit. The following documents are required:>> Passport (has to be valid for at least one more year)>> Birth certificate>> Letter of confirmation issued by the university >> Proof of health insurance coverage (confirma- tion of registration with the Upper Austrian Health Insurance Company (OÖGKK)>> Bank statement (Austrian bank account required)>> Police clearance certificate>> 1 Passport-sized photo
Please note that the residence permit is NOT a work permit for Austria. The Letter of Confirma-tion for the embassy will be sent to you by the International Office.Under Austrian law all changes of address have to be registered with the local authority within three working days; of course this also applies to foreign exchange students. In order to register you will need to take your passport (with a valid visa if applicable) and a Residence Registration, “Meldezettel”, which will be distributed and filled in directly at your arrival at the dormitory. After registration you will be given an official printout of your registration details which should be kept safely and will be needed along with a second “Meldezettel” when registering your departure.
Bibliothek library
Endnote final mark / grade
Fachbereich department
FachbereichsleiterIn head of department
Hauptberuflich Lehrende/r (HBL)
full-time professor
Hörsaal (HS) lecture hall
IF student union at Hagenberg Campus
IT-/EDV-Raum IT room (computer room)
Jahrgangs- sprecherIn
class representative
Klausur written exam
Labor laboratory
Laborübung laboratory tutorial
Lehrveranstaltung (LVA)
module / course
Mensa university cafeteria
Mündliche Prüfung oral exam
Nebenberuflich Lehrende/r (NBL)
part-time lecturer
Note mark / grade
Prüfung exam
Sekretariat administration office
Seminarraum (SR) seminar room
StandortsprecherIn student representative of Hagenberg Campus
Studiengang degree programme
StudiengangsleiterIn head of studies
Stundenplan schedule
Studienplan curriculum
Übung practical class
Vorlesung (VL/VO) lecture
Hagenberg CaMPUS 16
Currency
Since the beginning of 2002, Austria’s currency has been the Euro (€). 1 Euro = 100 cents
Living Costs in Hagenberg
Student union fees for one semester are € 16.86 which entitle you to various services and student reductions. A student needs about € 450 – 600 a month. For example:
Rent (inclusive) .......................... e 170 – 280Food .................................................... e 155Entertainment ....................................... e 75Other expenses .................................... e 40Total e 495 – 555
Typical prices of everyday products:
1 litre of milk ...................................... e 1.001 loaf of bread .................................... e 1.80100g cheese ....................................... e 1.201 yoghurt ............................................ e 0.50½ litre of beer (supermarket) .............. e 0.80150g ham ........................................... e 1.301kg apples ......................................... e 1.801 litre of orange juice .......................... e 1.00500g pasta .......................................... e 1.00375g cereal ........................................ e 2.20
banking Hours
Banking hours in Austria vary, but as a general rule banks open between 8:00 and 16:30 Monday to Fri-day and often close for one or two hours at lunch-time. Many banks also close on Friday afternoons. You will need to check the exact opening hours of the bank of your choice, as the above is just a general guideline. Student accounts usually are free in Austria, for opening an account you will need your passport and a confirmation from our university.
Credit Cards
An increasing number of businesses in Austria ac-cept major international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, although many companies only accept these for purchases above a certain price.
“anmeldebescheinigung” – Confirmation of registration (For Nationals of EU/EEA countries only!)
If you stay in Austria for longer than 3 months, you must register with the compe-tent municipal authority (Bezirkshauptmann-schaft Freistadt) within the first 3 months of your stay and you will receive a confirmation of registration. This registration is obligatory in addition to the Residence Registration (“Meldezettel”). In case of non-compliance with this regula-tion a fine may be imposed. The International Office will assist international students in this registration process.
Climate and Clothing
Austria gets very cold in the winter with tem-peratures sometimes dropping below -10˚C, so we recommend that you bring warm clothes and shoes with good sturdy soles for the winter semester. However, although you may associate Austria with winter sports, we often enjoy warm summers with temperatures sometimes up to and even above 30˚C.
17
Medical Services and Pharmacies
Austria boasts an excellent network of pharmacies and medical practitioners. Pharmacies operate a rota system for night and Sunday duty. When a pharmacy is closed a notice is displayed giving details of the nearest pharmacies that are open.
emergency numbers
Ambulance (Rettung) / Emergency Doctor (Notarzt) ....... Phone: 144 Fire Brigade (Feuerwehr) ............ Phone: 122Police (Polizei/Gendarmerie) ...... Phone: 133Mountain rescue service (Bergrettung) ............................... Phone: 140
Information on local medical emergency services is available from local police stations as well as in telephone directories and daily newspapers.
Health Insurance Coverage
Austria has an excellent public health care system. If you are staying in Austria for less than one year, you should find out if there is an agreement between your home country and Austria regarding health insurance. Between EU countries there is reciprocal health insurance system. You need to bring a proof of health insurance coverage of your own insurance company or your health insurance card before coming to Austria in order to ensure that you will be treated in Austria in the event of any illness without having to pay anything yourself.
At any event, international exchange students who are non-EU citizens must obtain full health insurance in Austria with the Upper Austrian Health Insurance Company (OÖGKK) for a fee of about € 24 per per month. Students can insure themselves for as long (or as short) as necessary.
To register for insurance with OÖGKK you need the following:>> Confirmation of enrolment at Hagenberg Campus (“Inskriptionsbestätigung”)>> your Residence Registration (“Meldezettel”)>> Proof of health insurance coverage in your home country during the last 12 months
The insurance covers hospital stays, medical attention and service all free of charge (with a medical insurance record card available at the OÖGKK), reduced prescription charges of about € 5 each.
non-emergency Medical Treatment
If you need non-emergency medical treatment and are from an EU country that has a recipro-cal health insurance agreement with Austria, you must take your passport and a proof of health in-surance coverage of your own insurance compa-ny or your health insurance card from your home country to the general medical practitioner or the medical specialist whom you like to see. These documents entitle you to receive most medical treatment free of charge from doctors that have a contract with this regional public health insurance organisation. Such doctors usually advertise with the words “alle Kassen” on the wall plates outside their offices and it is to them that you should go for non-emergency medical treatment during consulting hours.
If you are from a country that does not have such a reciprocal health care agreement with Austria, you must take your passport and your health in-surance card (e-card) to the general medical prac-titioner or the medical specialist whom you like to see. After your registration with the Upper Austrian Health Insurance Company (OÖGKK in Pregarten, near Hagenberg) it usually takes 2 weeks until you receive your e-card, in case of medical attention is required before you have got your e-card, use your Residence Registration (Meldezettel) as a substitute for the e-card.
Hagenberg CaMPUS 18
Important Vocabulary
Praktischer Arzt general medical practitioner
Facharzt medical specialist
Zahnarzt dental surgeon
Frauenarzt gynaecologist
Augenarzt eye specialist
Urologe urologist
HNO-Arzt ear, nose and throat specialist
Ordination medical practice
Sprechstunden consulting hours
Termin appointment
Nach Vereinbarung by appointment
Schmerzen pains
Behandlung treatment
Rezept prescription
Apotheke pharmacy
Infrastructure
Post Office Hagenberg / DiakonieshopHauptstraße 90Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
TownhallMarktgemeinde Hagenberg Kirchenplatz 5a, 4232 Hagenberg/Austria Phone: +43 (0)7236 2318, Fax: -3 e-mail: [email protected]
Pharmacy Hauptstraße 90, 4232 Hagenberg/Austria Phone: +43 (0)7236 20683, Fax: -15, Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8.00 – 12.30 and 14.00 – 18.00e-mail: [email protected]>> www.apothekehagenberg.at
General Practitioner Dr. Tanja ReichelPhone: +43 (0)7236 60 98 or +43 (0)664 4386561 Hauptstraße 90, 4232 Hagenberg/Austria
Dr. Wolfgang FürlingerPhone: +43 (0)7236 24 62 or +43 (0)676 4056715, Tragweinerstraße 29, 4230 Pregarten/Austria
getting to Hagenberg
The Blue Danube Airport in Linz is the international airport nearest to Hagenberg. Buddies usually arrange to meet incoming exchange students at this airport. Students who arrive by train usually arrive at Linz main station can also be picked up by Hagenberg students. >> www.fh-ooe.at/ campus-hagenberg/campus/anreise/
Public Transport
There is an express bus (399) running every hour between Softwarepark Hagenberg and Kepler University Linz. >> www.ooevv.at
RailwaysFor information on Austria’s Federal Railway services see their homepage: >> www.oebb.at
Discount Rail TravelÖBB customer card “ÖBB-Vorteilscard<26”It is recommended that students intending to travel extensively within Austria purchase an ÖBB-Vor-teilscard<26. The Vorteilscard<26 entitles holders to a 50% discount on all tickets for travel on the Aus-trian Federal Railway Network. It is available to an-yone under 26 years of age at the reduced price of e 19.90 and is valid for one year. In order to buy a Vorteilscard<26, you need to bring a passport-sized photograph and a valid ID. The data form is availa-ble at the ÖBB website or at the ticket counter at any train station. The 50% discount is guaranteed immediately if you buy your train ticket at a ticketing machine. If you buy the ticket at the counter, the reduction on the regular fare is only 45%.
Special Rates for International train tickets“Spar Schiene” or “City Star” TicketsFor city travelling to selected cities within Europe, ÖBB offers extra cheap “Spar Schiene” tickets. It is recommended to book as early as possible (usually 3 months before you want to travel) be-cause only a limited number of tickets are avail-able in each train. For detailed information please check the ÖBB homepage.
Acknowledgment and Disclaimer – The Hagenberg Campus International Office would like to thank all those who assisted with compiling this guide.Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this booklet, but Hagenberg Campus cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. To the best of our knowledge the most accurate and recent data at the time of going to press have been used. However, as the world around us is continuously on the move, data can change and become outdated in no time. (Hagenberg, March 2010)
© Photos: OÖ.Tourismus,www.bilderbox.com,
Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences,
Michael Frühmann, Andrea Groisböck
19
Statements
International Students in Hagenberg“I have no words to describe this experience, these months have been one of my best expe-riences. Hagenberg is a nice village, the people are quite friendly, and academically Hagenberg is a very recommendable place to study, I have learned so much. I miss the landscape, the Austrian food, the people… I will not forget Hagenberg in my life...“
Oscar Conde O’Donnell,
University of Málaga, Spain
“I heard great things from some friends about Hagenberg before I came: studying, playing, partying – it’s a cool place to study. They have professional equipment for the students to use, industry standard software and people who are there to help out at anytime.“
Shayna Quinn,
Wanganui School of Design, NZ
“Nice people, great atmosphere – I really enjoyed my stay in Hagenberg.“
Sonja Chèvre,
FH Bern, Switzerland
“Hagenberg is the best combination between fun and studying. There are a lot of great people ready to help you or to party with you... If you want to have fun, you definitely need to come to Hagenberg! I will not forget this experience and neither will you!“
Popescu Cosmin Valentin,
University Babes-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca, Romania
“I absolutely loved studying in Hagenberg and would highly recommend the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences to anyone considering studying there. The teachers and staff were both very friendly and professional and as an international student I instantly felt comfortable on campus. What I loved most about the school was the way that the native Austrian students really made an effort to make me part of other student events and activities and often helped to solve any problems I had.“
Johnson Witehira,
Wanganui School of Design, NZ
“When I chose Hagenberg as my destination I didn’t know I was going to one of the most beautiful landscapes just in the middle of Europe. It is on a great location as you can travel to many countries which are relatively close (Czech Republic, Germany, Poland...). They have a great College here with the newest technology and nice and helpful people.
You will also find a lot of student parties at the Fachhochschule or in Linz where you’ll meet real-ly awesome people.
For me the best thing from coming here was get-ting to know all the different cultures I had around: Polish, Turkish, Spanish (!), German, Romanian... and of course Austrian!“
Carlos Alonso Pena Osorio,
University of Málaga, Spain
“Hagenberg is a very quiet and peaceful villa-ge where you can really focus on studying. The University is professionally equipped so new opportunities and challenges are available. But of course it’s not only about studying – you can meet wonderful and friendly people here and learn something about their culture and beautiful country. I will never regret spending my time here!“
Wojciech Kaczmarek,
Wroclaw University of Technology, Poland
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FH OÖ Studienbetriebs GmbH • School of Informatics/Communications/ Media • Softwarepark 11 • 4232 Hagenberg/Austria • Phone: +43 (0)7236 3888-1530 • E-Mail: [email protected] • www.fh-ooe.at
