Student POV: A Semester Abroad at IMC KREMS University
June 10, 2026
Written by: Marvellous Ojo
Journalism & Communications Intern
Jillian Chadwick starts her mornings early in a small apartment in Krems, Austria, preparing a quick breakfast before making the short walk to campus. The city around her is quiet and walkable, lined with cafés and small shops. On her way to class, she passes dog walkers, parents with strollers, and, occasionally, travellers moving through the area.
Jillian, a Holland College Tourism, Travel and Event Management student, is spending the semester studying at IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences through an international exchange partnership between the two institutions.
The program runs from February to June and allows students to earn credit toward their diploma. Jillian received an Erasmus+ grant, which provides monthly financial support and helped make the experience possible. She was encouraged to consider the exchange by her instructor, Julia Clayton-Clarke.
“I saw it as an opportunity to take a step out of my comfort zone and just do something different,” she said.
Originally from British Columbia, Jillian moved to Prince Edward Island in 2019. Although she had some previous post-secondary experience, it was her time in the workforce that led her to discover a passion for tourism and hospitality and return to school to pursue it.
Working at Stanley Bridge Studios introduced her to the industry. In her role as a sales associate, she handled cash, managed inventory, and interacted with visitors from around the world, an experience that helped shape her interest in the field.
Now, in Austria, her daily routine is relatively simple. She attends classes, runs errands, and spends time at home preparing meals and keeping up with coursework. She describes herself as an introvert, but said the experience has pushed her to become more self-sufficient.
“What I’ve enjoyed most about my time abroad is the sense of independence. I love being with my mum and dad, but I feel like it’s time to spread my wings.”
Adjusting to life in Austria has come with small but noticeable differences. She quickly learned that most businesses close on Sundays, something she discovered shortly after arriving, when she realized she couldn’t buy basic necessities that day.
Other changes have been more subtle, like navigating a different currency system and seeing everyday things and online advertisements in German.
“I’m so used to Canada not having pennies. When I pay in cash, my brain automatically rounds the amount, so with the euro, I often end up getting a 1 or 2 cent coin back.”
Despite the adjustments, Jillian describes Krems as a quiet and safe city with a strong sense of community. On one occasion, she lost her wallet at a local pub and was able to recover it the next day with nothing missing.
She is also enjoying the café culture, a noticeable part of daily life in Austria. On a recent visit to a local café, she savoured a hot chocolate and some traditional Austrian desserts, a favourite being Sachertorte, a chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and a Linzer Kipferl, a jam-filled pastry.
Jillian is making the most of her time abroad, exploring other parts of Europe, including Sweden, Croatia, and Greece, and plans to visit nearby Salzburg to experience The Sound of Music tour before returning to Canada this summer.
“I’m trying to use my time wisely and make the most of it,” she said.
As for what’s next, she is still considering her options, but this experience has ignited a passion for travel, which she hopes to incorporate into her career following graduation.
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