What were the puzzling moments of international exchange students in Steyr? What did they think was challenging compared to their home country? What was it that they will never understand about Austria and its people? 13 short videos about cultural differences between Austria and the students’ home countries reveal those mostly hidden facts. All videos were presented under the theme “Culture Shock Austria” to local students, professors and staff of the School of Management at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.

Mag. Bernadette Fleischanderl, Head of the International Office of the School of Management explains the intention of this project, which was threefold:
1)     Making students reflect their cultural experiences as a first step towards building cross cultural competence.
2)     Giving the exchange students the possibility to express their problems to both, the Austrians and their friends back home.
3)     Opening the eyes of local students, professors and staff of the School of Management about their own culture and as a further step, understanding the incoming exchange students better in their unique situations.

One example can be viewed at youtube: www.youtube.com/watch.