MY STUDENT MOBILITY IN VIENNA: Dunja Savić

Dunja Savić
University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Applied Arts

Erasmus+ Mobility for Studies at:

University of Applied Arts in Vienna

Between February and June, I had the pleasure of studying at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna as part of the Erasmus program. Although my mobility lasted only four months, I truly feel that I was able to experience Vienna as my home and become part of its everyday life.

Just like the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade has several buildings, the University of Applied Arts in Vienna also consists of multiple locations, all modernly equipped for various fields of applied arts. Each building offers students everything they need for their work, and more. Faced with so many opportunities and resources, I was initially worried that I might miss out on something. I tried to choose courses that covered as many different areas as possible, but even so, it was impossible to take advantage of everything the university has to offer.

The teaching approach and class organization are significantly different from what I was used to in Belgrade. Classes are not strictly divided by year – students from all levels work together, creating a dynamic and inspiring environment where ideas and experiences are constantly exchanged. The university also provides plenty of spaces for independent work, and an additional advantage is that it is open 24 hours a day. This allows students to complete their projects without time constraints and made the university feel like a second home.

As part of one of the courses, I had the opportunity to visit the archives of the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, where I saw student works by artists such as Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and many others.

In addition to academic responsibilities, the university often organized various activities such as peer talks, film screenings, study trips, and numerous events for students. These gatherings gave me the opportunity to meet many fellow students, including other Erasmus participants. At one of these events, I met Ajša, a girl from Slovenia who studies in Rotterdam, and we soon became very close friends. Together, we attended weekly film screenings at the Academy of Fine Arts and explored a variety of exhibitions in Vienna.

These four months in Vienna left a deep mark on both my artistic and personal development. The chance to experience a different educational approach, meet new people and cultures, and work in an environment that fosters creativity and independence was truly invaluable and irreplaceable.