Orientation Days at MCI: Navigating Student Life in Innsbruck

From campus essentials to Austrian culture, MCI’s Orientation Days for international students guided through their exciting new chapter

Starting a new chapter of one’s life in a foreign country can be both thrilling and overwhelming. As an international student at MCI, students explore hiking trails, wander through historical streets, hit the slopes, and enjoy mulled wine in Winter at the Christmas markets. However, before they delve into all the excitement Innsbruck has to offer, the Orientation Days at MCI provided all the information needed to make their transition smooth, informative, and fun!

This year’s Orientation Days for Internationals pursuing full degrees took place online on September 06, 2024 and on campus on September 26 & 27, 2024. Students had the opportunity to meet either virtually or face-to-face their fellow students, make new friends, discover what it’s like to study at MCI, and even secure last-minute accommodation.

Highlights from MCI’s Orientation Days

Spanned across one (online) to two (onsite) days, the programs helped not only students get acquainted with the university but also provided valuable insights into the local culture, academic expectations, and how students could make the most of their time in Austria.

The event kicked off with a Welcome Session, warmly greeting new students from around the world, including Guatemala, the US, Venezuela, Mexico, Iran as well as from our European countries like Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary and Spain, Netherlands, Finland, Moldova, Ukraine and Slovakia.

MCI’s Student Union (ÖH) and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) offered guidance on student life and provided a great opportunity for our internationals to connect with both local and fellow exchange students, helping them quickly find their footing within the student community.

We then dived into Move-In Essentials, which covered registration, validating the residence permit, and setting up accommodation. To help students adjust emotionally to living in a new country, the Wellbeing When Living Abroad session highlighted strategies to maintain physical and mental health, especially when faced with the challenges of adjusting to a new environment. The first day ended with an exciting and adventurous Treasure Hunt around the city, where students teamed up to explore Innsbruck.

On day two, students were introduced to MCI’s academic culture, policies, expectations as well as library services. A session crucial in helping students understand the university’s approach to academics and preparing them for their next years ahead. As setting one’s career goals can never start too early, MCI’s Career Center introduced its services and offers, encouraging students to think about their future beyond the lecture rooms. The onsite Orientation Days were wrapped up with a nice relaxed lunch together.

The online Orientation Day covered the same topics including a virtual treasure hunt.

Throughout the Orientation Days students didn’t just learn about MCI; they also began to immerse themselves into the Austrian culture, and into the city Innsbruck with its picturesque setting and rich history. MCI’s Orientation Days offered a perfect balance of non-academic preparation, cultural integration, and social interaction – a solid foundation for a successful and enriching adventure ahead.

Thanks to the support provided by our colleagues from the International Relations Office, the Student & Career Center, the Library Services, as well as the Austrian Student Union, and the Erasmus network, MCI ensures that students have everything they need to succeed both academically and personally.