Welcome Week Summer term 2024

As per usual, on 26^th of February, the International Office Team was glad to welcome fourteen new Incoming Students. This time they were greeted from Spain and Türkiye.

Apart from receiving all the principal information and essentials, the students had a couple of enjoyable and insightful excursions during the week. One of them included a tour of the city and its landmarks, stores, institutions. The students had the opportunity to learn more about the city that would become their home for the next four months. After the expedition, it was decided to visit and support one of the local businesses - “Das Katzencafé - Cat’n’Coffee”. The place instantly became one of the students’ favourites in Klagenfurt.

The main event, though, was the walk with alpacas in the Carinthian nature. Prior to the excursion, the students were offered the chance to try Austrian cuisine in one of the traditional restaurants - “Gasthof Sonnhof” - and to briefly visit the oldest church in the region - “Dom zu Gurk”.

The last activity was spent in “Reptilienzoo Happ”, where the students could observe diverse types of reptiles that inhabit both Austrian and foreign lands. Almost all the students were brave enough to hold a snake on their shoulders.

The week turned out to be really rich in unique activities involving all kinds of animals. The students were able to gain a small insight into life in Austria and its culture and prepare themselves spiritually for the academic semester.

Welcome Week winter term 2023

On September 25th, the International Office Team of PH Kärnten had the privilege of hosting new students from diverse countries, including Belgium, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Montenegro, and Italy.

The central feature of the week was a refreshing hike to Tscheppaschlucht, nestled in the heart of Carinthia. This picturesque natural location allowed students to connect with the region's beauty and bond during lunch at the traditional Gasthof "Deutscher Peter."

Welcome Week summer term 2023

At the start of the Summer Semester 2023, we had the pleasure of welcoming a diverse group of incoming Erasmus students from Spain, Ukraine, Germany, Turkey, Montenegro, and Slovakia. The Welcome Week took place from the 27th of February until the 3rd of March allowing the students to get to know each other and the city they would be living in for the next few months. 

One of the highlights of the week was the winter excursion with alpacas, fondly called "Alpakas unterm Lindenbaum." The students were able to enjoy a snowy winter landscape while walking alongside the adorable animals. It was a truly magical experience, and the students had a great time. 

After the excursion, the students were treated to a traditional Austrian lunch at Gasthof Sonnhof, where they got to try some of the local cuisine, including Wiener Schnitzel, Pfandl, and Käsnudeln.

Another memorable activity was the visit to Gurk Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Carinthia. The students were fortunate to appreciate the impressive Romanesque architecture while also learning about the cathedral's rich history and significance in the region.

The following day, the students explored the reptiles at Reptilienzoo Happ, where they observed the animals' behavior and habitat up close. Some of the more adventurous students even got the chance to pose for photos with a snake draped across their shoulders. 

In conclusion, the Welcome Week for Incoming Erasmus Students Summer Semester 2023 was a great success. The students experienced different aspects of Austrian culture while also forging new friendships with each other. We hope that all the students have a thrilling and enjoyable semester ahead!

Welcome Week winter term 2022

On September 26th, Pädagogische Hochschule Kärnten had the opportunity to welcome new Erasmus+ students from Spain, Turkey, Slovakia and Ukraine. During the welcome week, September 26th - September 30th, the incoming students were able to not only get acquainted with their further studies, but to discover the beauty and specialness of Austria.

One of the many things the students were looking forward to was a trip to the "Terra Mystica" mines. For students, the expedition began with a ride down a 68-meter-long miners' slide (the longest in Europe) immersing them in the underground wonderland. Seven mines allowed students to firsthand experience the underground world, with fascinating multimedia shows about the earth's origins, the realm of the underworld, the miracle healer Paracelsus, and the recreation of an original hoisting machine with a water wheel from 1831, rebuilt in 2000. A trip to the Mountain Wonderland was a one-of-a-kind experience, culminating in an 800-meter ride on a mine train back to the mine shaft elevator, which took students back to the surface.

Enthralled by the mystery of the underground world, the incomings took a walk to the old Gasthaus restaurant with a museum where they could enjoy a delicious lunch.

The students also visited the Ossiach Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery, which is the oldest in Carinthia and surrounded by the magnificent lake Ossiacher See. Ossiach Abbey is known for the Carinthian Summer, an internationally famous music festival held annually in July and August.

The "Domenig Steinhaus," of the Carinthina world-renowned architect Günther Domenig, amazed the students with its eccentricity and otherness. The Steinhaus is the world's youngest house museum. The innovative power in Günther Domenig's projects reaches a climax in the Steinhaus. Internationally, it is the best-known work of contemporary Carinthian architecture.

Welcome Week summer term 2022

A new summer semester 2022 started for us with the arrival of new international students at our university. We were delighted to welcome students from Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine.

The Welcome Week was held from February 21 through February 25, 2022. During the week, the students had the incredible opportunity to embark on a winter hike in the Bodental valley to the Bodenbauer inn via the gorgeous snow-covered landscape. The Bodental nature reserve is a hidden gem of nature. We passed by many mesmerizing locations and objects along the route. In particular, the ancient mill and the unique lake Meerauge. On the way back, our incoming students enjoyed lunch at the traditional Gasthof Sereinig. The students were also invited to visit a planetarium in Klagenfurt to expand their knowledge on our galaxy, the Milky Way. During the walk at lake Wörthersee it was also time to rest and to enjoyed the warm sunshine. By the end of the week, the students got the insight of the city through the guided tour around the city.