One of the greatest advantages of the ACT Track is the opportunity to grow outside of academics in three completely different environments. While coursework is important, students are constantly learning beyond the classroom as they encounter various cultural experiences.
In Austria, the cohort has enjoyed enriching activities such as a university-organized ski trip to the Kasberg Mountain, karaoke nights at a local Linz bar, exploring Austria’s stunning lakes and alpine landscapes, and even pushing their limits in the Linz Marathon.
Travel has been another highlight. Austria’s central location makes weekend trips easy—whether to historic Salzburg, cosmopolitan Vienna, or neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, or the Czech Republic. Each journey teaches students something new, from navigating train systems to appreciating different customs.
The group has also immersed itself in Austrian traditions, attending a Volksfest and sampling local dishes like Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn. To better understand Austria’s history, student assistants led a visit to the Mauthausen concentration camp.
Next week, the cohort will give their final presentations and gather for a farewell dinner—but it’s not quite goodbye yet. They’ll come together one last time at the Linzer Urfahranermarkt, dressed in traditional clothing, to celebrate their shared experiences before departing.
written by student assistant Leah Rugh