After our previous article with Mihailo about his journey to Seoul, our latest blog post focuses on Maximilian’s semester abroad in Tarragona, Spain, where he spent time as a Digital Entrepreneurship Master’s student at FH JOANNEUM.
Christian: Dear Maxi, where did you do your semester abroad?
Maximilian: Spain, Tarragona.
Christian: When did your semester start and how long did you stay?
Maximilian: My semester officially began on February 6, 2023. The first two weeks were relatively calm with welcome days and orientation events. I used that time to find suitable accommodation and get a first impression of the new environment. Afterwards, my courses, which were organized in two blocks, started. I returned home in early July.
Christian: What did you enjoy the most?
Maximilian: As a big fan of Spain, it had always been a little dream of mine to spend a period of my life there. During these few months, I gained deep insights into the culture and way of life. One thing Spaniards are really good at: celebrating! It seems like every little occasion is used for dances, parades, and festivities. What made it especially wonderful was sharing these moments with people I had grown close to from all over the world.
Christian: What was your biggest learning?
Maximilian: I also used my time in Spain to actively develop myself. Some key insights I gained include:
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I can adapt quickly to a new environment.
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The importance of my personal systems: they greatly influence habits and overall quality of life.
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Book tips: The 1% Rule & Atomic Habits by James Clear.
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Two consecutive party days used to be easier!
Christian: How did you overcome any language barriers, and how did that affect your communication skills?
Maximilian: There wasn’t really a language barrier since the courses in my exchange program were in English, and I spent most of my time with international students from around the world. I was able to brush up on my school Spanish through self-study and interacting with locals. The rest was solved with translation apps.
Christian: How does studying Digital Entrepreneurship in Spain differ from your home university, especially regarding teaching methods and course content?
Maximilian: You can feel that the Master’s program Digital Entrepreneurship (DEM) at FH JOANNEUM is new and innovative, even in teaching methods. The high proportion of part-time instructors adds tremendous value, as they bring real, current practical experience into the classroom. The teaching is energetic and dynamic. At my partner university, there was more frontal teaching. Assessment was based on participation, exams, and presentations.
Christian: What were some of your extracurricular experiences in Tarragona, and how did they contribute to your personal growth?
Maximilian: As I mentioned, I also used the time to reflect on myself and my life direction. After a stressful period with too many simultaneous commitments, it was very liberating to be in a new environment and detach from daily obligations. This distance helped me see aspects of my life from a different perspective and re-evaluate them.
Christian: How did Spanish culture and society influence your perspective on entrepreneurship and innovation? Can you give concrete examples?
Maximilian: My semester abroad had the greatest impact on my personality and the value system I want to live by. It helped me discover new things and reaffirm existing beliefs. It became even clearer what truly matters to me and the direction I want to pursue.
Barcelona, as well as other parts of Spain, became close to my heart and a source of inspiration – especially for their authentic and natural flair.
Christian: Overall, would you say you had a good time?
Maximilian: It was an outstanding and valuable experience. I am very grateful to FH JOANNEUM for this opportunity and can only highly recommend it.
¡Fue un tiempo increíble!
