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П'ятниця, 11 травня 2018 10:50

Report of the student mobility program at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (Vienna/Austria) (Vilchynska Nataliia)

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REPORT

Participant: Vilchynska Nataliia

Action: student mobility

Location: Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna/Austria

Project: Erasmus+ program «Improving teacher education for applied learning in the field of vocational education (ITE-VET) – 574124-EPP-1-2016-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP-E+CBHE»

Dates: May, 7 –May, 20, 2018

Institution: Institute of vocational education and training of the National academy of educational science of Ukraine

Location: Kyiv/Ukraine

Preparation and organizational issues

I participated on a competitive basis in the student mobility program at the University of Vienna (Austria). All information about the internship I received from Mrs. Oleksandra Borodienko.

At the University of Vienna, I coordinated my two-week internship program with Mrs Kathrin Plötzeneder and Mrs Melanie Ruenzler. On the first day of our stay in Vienna, Mrs Kathrin Plötzeneder and Mrs Melanie Ruenzler met with us, who provided us with all the important and necessary information about the attendance of lectures by university teachers and the library.

The list of attended lectures and meeting:

Lectures:

Wednesday, May, 9th

  • 00-14.00 – Beer Alexander, Herles Martin (English) – Fremdsprachliche Wirtschaftskommunikation IV – Englisch / Life in Britan and the U.S. Location: WU, Room TC.5.15.

Tuesday, May, 15th  

  • 00-16.30 – Geissler Gerhard (English) – Methoden der Wirtschaftsdidaktik II. Location: WU, Room TC.3.06.

Wednesday, May, 16th

  • 00-11.00 – Bellak Christian (English) – Applied Microeconomics. Location: WU, Room TC.5.03.
  • 30-19.00 – Riegler Christian, Sailer Mariana (English) – SBWL International Accounting and Controlling: Advanced Management Accounting. Location: WU, Room D.5.1.001.

Thursday, May, 17

  • 00-20.00 – Schmidt-Unterberger Barbara (English) – Wahlfach Kurs I: Englisch als Arbeitssprache in der ökonomischen Bilding – Location: WU, Room TC.4.01.

Meetings:

Monday, May, 7 th

  • 00-18.00 – Meeting with Mrs. Kathrin Plötzeneder and Mrs. Melanie Ruenzler. We were provided with important information concerning: program of the next day, maps and tourist infos, pablick transport system, daily allowances. Location: IG city apartments campus lodge.

Tuesday, May, 8th

  • 00 – Official welcoming & discussion of agenda. Location: TC.4.27 Hörsaal (WU Vienna).
  • 00-11.45 – Session 1. Austrian Vocational Education System / Campus tour chaired by Mr. Richard Fortmüller and Mrs. Nora Cechovsky. Location: TC.4.27 Hörsaal (WU Vienna).
  • 15-13.00 - Session 2. Regional and Cultural studies – Austria chaired by Mrs Kathrin Plötzeneder and Mrs Melanie Ruenzler. Location: TC.4.27 Hörsaal (WU Vienna).
  • 30-15.30 - Session 3. What the students will have to do: writing a review, visiting at least 5 lectures chaired by Mrs Kathrin Plötzeneder and Mrs Melanie Ruenzler. Location: TC.4.27 Hörsaal (WU Vienna)

Thursday, May, 10th

  • 00 – Public holidays. City tour.

Friday, May, 18th

  • 00-15.00 – Conclusion and review. Return the library ticket chaired by Mr. Richard Fortmüller, Mrs Kathrin Plötzeneder and Mrs Melanie Ruenzler. Location: D2.0.038. Seminarraum (30).

According to the internship program, I had to attend 5 lectures and take part in the planned meetings. In addition, I had time to work in the library.

During the Welcome meeting we had the chance to find out all organizational issues, visit the library, have advices for spending free-time.

Lectures

The first thing that impressed me was the age range of students in the groups as in Ukraine it is traditionally to see mostly the representatives of 18-22 age group. It is not that much spread to attend the lectures for older people as they are usually busy at work and the idea of Lifelong learning is not that popular or well-soread in Ukraine. Students at the University of Vienna are emotional, open, sociable, independent.

Also very impressed by the university itself. The new campus, using the latest innovations, is a great place both for learning and for life.

All classes where we had lectures equipped with smart and / or white boards. Thus, the double projection allows not only high-quality presentation of various teaching presentations, but also provides visibility of information for each student, regardless of its location in the audience.

And outside of the training rooms there are plenty of places for self-study materials and joint training in a group with friends, as well as places where you can just relax between couples. I really liked that. Special attention should be paid to the library at the university. The library has a huge fund for all the necessary literature in the field of business and economics. Also impressive is the interior of the library.

We visited the library right after the Welcome meeting and then had the possibility to work there when we had time.

Teachers

Teachers at the University of Vienna provide democratic education on the basis of pedagogical interaction and respect for the views of their students. As for the atmosphere at lectures, it is very cooperative, partnership-based and independent. So, the educational process at the university is aimed at students. In Ukraine, the higher education reform is also being implemented, according to which universities acquire autonomy, and teachers have the right to create and teach author's curricula.

At the lecture, Beer Alexander, who conducted her in cooperation with Herles Martin, was interesting and meaningful, using multimedia tools.  I learned about the specifics of life in Britain and the United States.  I also want to note that many students were present at the lecture.

Lectures by Geissler Gerhard were also informative and interesting for students, for their democratic approach to teaching material, involving students in discussing current issues. He used interactive forms of interaction with students on the basis of an intercultural approach. I learned about this method of teaching as a case-method. The students worked in groups around the tables and were free to use any gadgets they had to conduct the productive work. Students worked with different tasks and projects, represented their results, findings and ideas on the studied teaching approaches. I would like to note that he has lectured in two languages: German and English respecting students from Ukraine, it was very enjoyable. I note the high competence and level of knowledge both in the material of lectures and in general issues, which allowed him to be at the center of the student team and at the same time to be an authority.

As for the Bellak Christian lecture, we listened to the microeconomics material, it was cognitive, but due to the fact that the lecture was very early, many students came late, which distracted from the lecture.

At SBWL International Accounting and Controlling: Advanced Management Accounting lectures, I liked the work of students with a teacher, all were very active and hard-working.

I also want to mention the lecture by Schmidt-Unterberger Barbara.  The lecture consisted of three mini-lectures conducted by students. During the lecture, students actively collaborated with each other and involved in the process of teaching students from Ukraine. We had the possibility to find out from the students the specifics of their studying. Again, interactive teaching methods were used, such as, for example, a role-playing game that made classes more diverse, we talked in pairs or in groups, this enabled us to demonstrate autonomy, to implement communicative skills and language skills, to successfully correct the expressions of our interlocutors,  even if the teacher does not give such a task.  I really liked it.  At the conclusion of each mini-lecture, we left comments on those who were in the role of a teacher, and we also received a lot of handouts. Students also have enough support from their teacher.

Education in Austria

During my stay in Vienna, I learned about the education system in Austria in more detail. Higher education in Austria that it is qualitative, accessible and promising.

Austrian universities are among the best in Europe and the world, often with centuries of experience and teaching traditions. 

One of the significant benefits of education in Austria is the high level of practice in the curriculum.  In the Austrian universities this ratio is 50% of the theory and 50% of practice.  In addition, the teaching staff, as a rule, consists of half of practicing top managers.  In this country it is considered a good tone to be the head of the company and at the same time to teach at universities, therefore, in Austria they teach both theoretical professors and heads of companies who use their knowledge and skills in real work.  Austria's higher education system is different from the education system in Ukraine, and the fact that the learning process can take a little longer than the expected time of study.  The terms of the curriculum fulfill depend on self-organization and the ability to quickly perceive and absorb the information received.  After graduating from high school, students can enter higher schools or universities.  The high school differs from the university insignificantly and is a narrow-profile higher educational institution of the type of Ukrainian institutes.  Higher schools offer a bachelor's or master's degree.  At the university you can obtain a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and an academic degree in PhD.  In 95% of cases entrance examinations are foreseen at the entrance to the higher school.  Teaching is conducted both in German and in English.  To study in Austrian higher schools and Austrian universities, you need to have a German language level B2, English - IELTS 6.0.

Studying at the Austrian State Universities is generally available in German.  An exception are some of the master's programs and programs for obtaining a degree in PhD.  To study English-language master's programs in Austrian universities, IELTS 7.0 is required.  For those who have already graduated from the university and received a bachelor's degree, it is possible to study postgraduate education programs.  Among the most popular are LLM, MBA, MAIS, ETIA.

Still struck by the fact that in Austria, students, unlike Ukrainian students, have to organize their time and lectures to attend.  In Austria, nobody carries a hand, there are no parents, group curators, attendance at lectures and drawing up their own schedule - it's a completely personal matter for everyone.

Austria's higher education system - three-tier:

  • baccalaureate (3-4 years of study);
  • a magistracy (1-2 years of studying after receiving a bachelor's degree);
  • doctorate (3 years of studying after obtaining a master's degree).

 The term of study at universities may be longer than indicated above.  It all depends on the self-discipline and organization of the student, as was said above.

The academic year at the Austrian Higher Educational Establishment is, as a rule, composed of 2 semesters, which are conducted by individual student colleges.  Accordingly, the documents for studying applicants can be submitted twice a year: for the winter semester - until September 1 and for the summer semester - before February 1. 

Austrian universities are divided into the following types: Universitäten and Universitäten der Künste;  universities of applied sciences, vocational schools (Fachhochschulen).

The Austrians themselves have recently been increasingly choosing Fachhochschulen vocational schools.  Graduates of Fachhochschule receive a Bachelor's or Master's degree. 

They usually pass the exam or go for extra tuition to enter the doctorate program at the university.  In the state and private universities of Austria, there are English and German language programs.  However, English-language programs are more common in private universities and colleges of higher education in Fachhochschulen.

The Austrian VET system

Our knowledge has also extended to Professional Education in Austria.

In Austria initial vocational education and training (IVET) is mainly carried by VET-schools and by a strong apprenticeship-system. In the field of Continuous Vocational Education and Training (CVET), there are no explicitly defined legal or educational policy supervisory functions for the whole sector.

VET schools and colleges provide programmes of differing duration and at various levels in addition to broad general education from the ninth school year. They include for example part-time vocational schools or schools and colleges with different focus (engineering, arts and crafts, business administration, tourism, social occupations, agriculture and forestry, nursery teaching, social pedagogy etc.). With the exception of part-time school-based training within the dual system, they can be organised in different forms with courses of differing length (1 – 5 years):

VET school

3 or 4 years: full-time school from the 9th school year; IVET qualification

1 or 2 years: full-time school from the 9th school year; vocational training basis

VET college

5 years: full-time school from the 9th school year; IVET qualification

Add-on course:

3 years: full-time school from the 9th school year following completion of VET school

Post-secondary VET course

2 years: full-time school following completion of "Reifeprüfung"

Schools and colleges for people in employment

2 – 4 years: above mentioned school types in the form of an evening school

It is possible to change between the individual types of VET schools and colleges with the same curriculum. Should the curriculum differ, examinations (in certain subjects) are required. It can be noted that direct entry into a profession or different forms of advanced training is an advantage for graduates.  The PTN in schools and colleges over the past two decades has seen a steady increase in pupils' numbers, due to the balanced provision of broad general education, occupational practice, and practice related to occupations (eg, employment) and the variety of specific learning opportunities and  trainings.

The Apprenticeship Leave Certificate provides the apprentice with access to two different vocational careers. On the one hand it is a prerequisite for the admission to the Master Craftsman Exam and for qualification tests, and on the other hand it gives access to higher education via colleges, universities, "Fachhochschulen", post-secondary courses and post-secondary colleges.

Leisure in Vienna

During the introductory lecture, we provided information on the cultural life of the country, the prominent architectural memorials of the country, the most famous cities of Austria with interesting history and architecture.  By the way, in order for us to move freely and conveniently, we were given a map of Vienna, as well as travel tickets, it was very convenient and pleasant, as it is worth noting that the cost of a travel ticket in Austria is higher than in Ukraine.  My impression of Vienna that it is the heart of Austria, is inspired by fragrant coffee and ancient royal buildings, with elegant narrow streets and friendly people.  Vienna is a blend of antiquity and modernity.  It is worth noting the St Stephen's Cathedral "Stefansdom" - the national symbol of Vienna and Austria and one of the most prominent cathedral buildings in the world.  We also visited the Vienna Opera known all over the world, enjoyed a lot of pleasure while watching the show.  One can not ignore the City Hall, the National Library, the Parliament, the Belvedere Museum, the Schonbrunn Palace, which captures its beauty and incredible landscape and many other outstanding buildings.  It was also unusual and pleasurable to receive drinking water at all for free, from cranes and special street fountains where unbelievably pure alpine water flows.  What surprised us is that in Vienna, the shop mode is different from Ukraine, all shops are closed at 18:00, Saturday is 17:00, and on Sunday they are closed at all.  On weekends we also traveled to Salzburg, the fourth largest city in Austria after Vienna, Graz and Linz, the birthplace of the famous composer Mozart, had the opportunity to watch from the observation deck of the fortress of Hohenzalzburg in the Alps.  So, Austria will forever remain in the heart of a wonderful country-fairy tale!

Conclusions

We learned that the education system in Austria differs from that adopted in the CIS countries.  First of all, this relates to higher education, which is divided into three sectors: colleges which teach teachers and social workers;  universities;  higher schools, in which learning is more applied and practical.  For foreigners, the Austrian education system offers attractive entry conditions in which a fifth of the students come from other countries.  It is also worth noting that almost all universities are public and financed from the federal budget.  That is why higher education for the Austrian citizens is free of charge.  Vienna is truly a student city.  The capital offers 15 universities for students.  Vienna has 11 state and 4 private universities, among which the most popular are: the University of Vienna (92 thousand students, Vienna University of Economics (25 thousand students), etc. We can not ignore the fact that Vienna is among the best cities in the world for students  Austrian universities are taught at a degree according to the Bologna agreement.We were curious to hear that in 2014, 10,900 graduates, 1100 graduates, and 585 graduates graduated from the University of Vienna at Vienna University.

It remains to add that we received only positive impressions and cognitive information during an internship in Vienna.

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