"I lived in a high school movie for six months!"
- 04.03.2025
- International
Large photo: Sandra Dietmayr in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco; small photo: Sandra in front of the university in Edmond.
The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol offers its students numerous opportunities to gain international experience. One of these students is Sandra Dietmayr, who spent an exciting semester abroad in the USA. Here she shares insights into her experiences – and has some good tips for students.
Sandra, who is studying Marketing & Communication Management, has always been fascinated by the USA, particularly from a marketing strategy perspective. She wanted to go to an English-speaking country and chose the University of Central Oklahoma, a partner university of the Kufstein University, where she studied from August to December 2024.
COURSES AND SPECIAL EXPERIENCES
During her stay, she took courses such as Business Communication, Smartphone Filmmaking and Principles of Marketing. She found Smartphone Filmmaking particularly exciting because she learned how to create high-quality content with simple means. The students developed their own scripts and produced short films with their smartphones, enabling them to gain valuable practical experience in low-budget filmmaking. She also noticed the differences in conversational and business culture between the US and Germany in the business communication course.
TYPICAL COLLEGE LIFE AND TRAVEL
In addition to her academic experiences, Sandra immersed herself in American college life. Football games, house parties and coffee dates were just as much a part of it as volunteer work and the traditional homecoming. Even before the semester began, she traveled along the west coast – from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Later, she also visited Dallas, Miami, the Everglades and Key West.
NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND CULTURAL IMPRESSIONS
Sandra made numerous international friends. Her closest friends are from Italy and the Netherlands, and together with two American friends, they are already planning a reunion in Amsterdam. She experienced the local culture as being strongly influenced by religion.
Many of her fellow students did not consume alcohol, and traditional dances such as line dancing were common at celebrations. She also noticed culinary peculiarities: initially skeptical of so-called dirty sodas – soft drinks with cream and lemon – she eventually came to enjoy this unusual combination.
CHALLENGES AND DEALINGS WITH CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
In social discussions, especially in a political context, she noticed that different opinions were strongly represented. During the election campaign, the political climate was characterized by intense debates. She decided to remain objective in conversations and to explain European perspectives without further deepening controversial discussions.
SEMESTER HIGHLIGHTS
Sandra's unforgettable experiences included her trip along the west coast, the homecoming event and a Mark Ambor concert in Dallas, where she even got to meet the artist in person.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND TIPS FOR FUTURE EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Sandra highly recommends Oklahoma as a study abroad destination: “I lived in a high school movie for six months!” The beautiful campus, the high level of security and the many welcome events in particular make it easier to settle in.
Links:
- Marketing & Communication Management | ft
- Information for exchange students
- International partner universities
This article was written by students in the full-time Bachelor's degree program in Marketing & Communication Management as part of their practical project.