The attandance of the orientation programme is COMPULSORY for all exchange students and consists of the following events: 

• Orientation Session: first official event for exchange students at JKU - information and instructions about important formalities and the first steps after arrival are given by the International Office - first meeting with all other exchange students
• Enrolment: takes place AFTER registration with the International Office
• Meeting with the academic coordinator at JKU: provides opportunity to discuss course selection for the exchange period
• KUSSS training: instruction session for the online course registration

As part of the pre-semester programme exchange students have the chance to attend a "Cultural sensitivity training" (2 ECTS credits). 

Day One:

The group will discuss cultural specificities of the host country and their own cultural backgrounds/identities. Students will also focus intensively on images, perceptions, “positive” and “negative” stereotypes associated with national cultures.

Day Two (Project Day):

In small groups and teams, participants will work on projects in town (field studies, interviewing people, observation tasks).

Day Three:

Team project results will be presented to the entire group and each project will be reflected upon and critically analysed. Students will develop methods that they can apply when encountering their host culture and when working in multicultural teams (international student body on campus).

You can sign up for the course in the online application. Due to the limited number of places, enrolment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prior to the beginning of each semester Intensive German Language Courses for exchange students are offered on 3 different levels:

• beginners I
• beginners II
• intermediate
• advanced

The courses are valid 3 ECTS credits and free of charge. The level preference needs to be indicated in online application. Due to the limited number of places, enrolment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get to know Linz and it's surroundings! The following tours and day trips are offered during the pre-semester programme:

• Linz City Tour: Guided city tour - free of charge
• Mauthausen: Visit of a former concentration camp (www.mauthausen-memorial.at)
• Steyr: Get to know an Upper Austrian City (www.steyr.at)
• Landhaus: Guided tour at the seat of the Upper Austrian Government
• Hallstatt: Visit of cultural heritage site + guided tour through salt mine (http://www.hallstatt.net, www.salzwelten.at)

The excursion offer might vary from semester to semester. Tickets are reserved for exchange students and can be purchased during the Orientation Session and at the International Office for a small fee.