IP Ka-ki Eric || BENG (Hons) Mechanical Engineering || Graz University of Technology, Austria

The summer internship in Austria was more than just a placement opportunity to mechanical engineering student Ip Ka-ki Eric. The compelling experience, which kicked off with a heartwarming reception, was an invaluable exposure opening up Eric’s world to different people and cultures.

Through the IAESTE programme, Eric went to Austria last summer for an internship being an assistant to a Professor at Graz University of Technology.

After long hours of flight and train rides, Eric reached his destination, Graz, at almost midnight. It was his first time stepping on Austrian land. To his surprise, an Austrian IAESTE officer was waiting for him at the train station even at this late hour.

“I was very much impressed by the warm welcome. Despite having spent 24 hours travelling, feeling tired and hungry, I didn’t feel lonely or homesick as there was someone taking good care of me,” Eric says. During the internship, Eric met different IAESTE trainees and fellow interns from different countries such as Canada, Greece, Italy, Germany and Macedonia. To help the trainees to get acquainted with each other and form a support circle, the local IAESTE office organised a weekly gathering, Regular Table, for the trainees.

“It was the best time to have a good time and chat with fellow IAESTE trainees in Austria. I learnt to say ‘cheers’ in many different languages and obtained knowledge about the culture of different countries,” says Eric.

A taste of Austria

At the very beginning, Eric, who can’t speak German, worried about the language barriers he would have in the German-speaking country. Fortunately, when he found that many Austrians also understood English, he put his anxiety aside. Eric also appreciated the great sense of humour of Austrians. “Chinese people place great emphasis on courtesy, and making fun of others is literally a kind of disrespectful behavior. However, from the Austrian’s point of view, making fun of each other is simply a demonstration of their sense of humour,” Eric says.

Through a weekend hiking organised by the local IAESTE office, Eric experienced another facet of Austria — the highly unpredictable weather. “At the start of the day, it was beautiful and sunny. However, when we began to climb up the mountain, it rained suddenly. The rain just got heavier and heavier. Eventually, it turned into a heavy downpour. So, we headed back to the train station. But once we entered an indoor area, the sun came out again,” Eric recalls.

To further explore the European country, Eric traveled to several famous Austrian cities such as Salzburg, Innsbruck and Hallstatt.

“I made a lot of friends from different cultural backgrounds and the experience strengthened my personal development. I am now much more independent and confident, especially in conversing in English even with strangers,” Eric says contentedly.