Summer & Winter Schools: Short Stay, Lasting Impact

Gain international experience, broaden your perspective and balance your studies with work through short-term exchange programs.

Summer and winter schools give students the opportunity to study at a partner university abroad for a limited period, build international connections and gain new academic and cultural insights. These compact programs are particularly attractive to students with demanding professional commitments, as they offer the chance to experience life and study abroad without spending an entire semester overseas.

Alongside academic learning, the programs focus on international exchange and experiencing different cultures.

This summer, Lisa Oberascher, a graduate of the Business Psychology & Management Online master's program, and Jeffrey Manzl, a graduate of the Betriebswirtschaft Online bachelor's program, took advantage of this opportunity. Both participated in the “Intelligent Futures” exchange program at Dalian University of Technology (DUT) in China.

For both graduates, the program offered an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, experience a different academic and cultural environment, and create lasting international memories without committing to a full semester abroad.

Lisa Oberascher shares her impressions and experiences:

Two Weeks in Dalian: A Glimpse into the Future

As part of my Master's studies at MCI, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a two-week Summer School at Dalian University of Technology (DUT) in China. The program, Intelligent Futures, brought together students from around the world to explore emerging technologies, innovation and experience Chinese culture. For me, the exchange was much more than an academic experience. It was a chance to immerse myself in a completely different culture, challenge my assumptions, and gain a firsthand impression of how technological innovation is shaping everyday life. Working full-time while completing a Master's degree means that opportunities for international experiences are often limited. Attending this Summer School offered a unique opportunity to continue my academic development while not having to miss out on gaining valuable international experience alongside my studies and full-time job.

China has always fascinated me due to its rapid technological development and growing influence on the global economy. The chance to experience this environment firsthand, rather than simply reading about it in articles or case studies, was a major motivation. At the same time, I saw it as an opportunity to connect with students from different countries and broaden my perspective beyond my professional and academic routine.

One of the most memorable aspects was understanding how closely technology, data and everyday life are interconnected in China. While many discussions in Europe still focus on future possibilities, many of these concepts are already integrated into daily life in China. What stood out was how seamlessly people use their smartphones for almost every aspect of daily life, from payments and transportation to government and public services. It was undeniably efficient. Whether all aspects of this level of digital integration should be viewed positively is a question everyone must answer for themselves. Another striking observation was the prominence of e-mobility. Electric vehicles are not viewed as a trend or premium alternative but simply as the norm.

Beyond technology, the opportunity to engage with students from all over the world created memorable experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom. An unexpected highlight was that our stay coincided with the China International Beer Festival at Xinghai Square. Experiencing this large-scale cultural event together with fellow students created a surprising sense of familiarity despite being thousands of kilometers from home.

I would strongly encourage other students at MCI to take this amazing opportunity and go abroad for a summer/winter school. Even a short international program can have a lasting impact. It allows you to step outside your comfort zone, gain new perspectives and develop intercultural competencies that are becoming increasingly important in today's global business environment. The connections you make, the ideas you encounter and the perspectives you gain often stay with you long after the program ends.

Interested?

From Europe to Asia and beyond, the Winter and Summer School program offers MCI students a range of short-term opportunities to complement their studies with international experience.

Explore the current opportunities here: https://www.mci4me.at/en/international/outgoing-students/winter-summer-schools