by Hayden Hartman

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to study abroad in Europe, or more specifically, in Salzburg, Austria? My name is Hayden Hartman, and I am a History Major and an alumnus of the Bowling Green State University Salzburg Study Abroad Program. Up to this point, studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria, has been one of my most influential decisions in life. The number of relationships that I was able to build, the multitude of destinations I could experience, and the interesting classes that allowed me to continue working on my major are only touching the surface of what it was like to live in Salzburg for four months. From peer to peer, I recommend this program to anyone, even if you have never thought about studying abroad before. 

Speaking more about my genuine experience in Austria, I met many people within and outside of the program. I have created friendships with people from the University of Delaware, The University of Kentucky, Denison University, and Bowling Green State University. The experience of studying abroad brought so many of these unique and interesting people together. I gained valuable insight into different ways of living and what life is like for them. Connecting with these people in terms of studying abroad has also built an unexplainable bond that is different from a normal friendship. I also spoke to and associated with many other citizens of all kinds of European, African, Asian, and South American countries. I learned so much about different cultures and how they lived while also being able to showcase what it was like being from the United States of America. 

Along with meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, I was able to travel to six new countries. These countries included, Austria, then The United Kingdom, Germany, The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Greece. Each and every one of these countries are totally unique in their own rights. The two countries I spent the most time in were Austria and Germany, seeing as how I lived in Austria and the German border was only around half an hour away from Salzburg. Outside of Salzburg in Austria, I made it to Vienna on two separate occasions and multiple small surrounding villages and towns. In contrast, I made it to Munich twice and Berlin once in Germany. I also went to Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary, Crete in Greece, and London in The United Kingdom. I went to what was described as the typical number of countries for someone studying abroad for one semester. Still, I knew plenty of people who made it to seven, eight, nine, and even ten countries or more in our time abroad. 

Lastly, the classes I participated in while in Salzburg were also very exciting and almost entirely in English. I was in four courses: The Civilization of the British Isles, Intercultural Communications, The History of the Holocaust, and German A1 (1010). I absolutely loved the classes that I was taking, and the professors were amiable, educated, and flexible. My major being history, all these credits applied to me in one way or another, and still helped me advance towards graduation. But outside of these were several students I knew taking courses in majors such as business, computer science, engineering, and so much more. There really is a multitude of classes that you can choose from. 

Ultimately, I would recommend the Bowling Green State University Salzburg Study Abroad Program to anyone. There really has not been a choice that has impacted my life more than this, and I truly loved every single day I spent there, so much so that I hope I can return one day.