Research on foreign policy, new foreign friends, and renewed perspective: YSU student on her experience at University of Salzburg

Irina is a student in the Chair of Political Science at YSU Faculty of International Relations. While abroad, in addition to applying the knowledge gained at YSU, she is taking four academic courses: "China–U.S.–European Union: Trilateral Unstable Relations in the 21st Century," "Political Realism, Democratic Tensions in Contemporary Societies," "The EU and its Eastern Neighbourhood: Integration, Differentiation, Contestation." 

"These courses have helped me deepen my understanding of the EU’s position regarding our region and the broader global context," Irina explains. "I have been refining my knowledge of the challenges democratic societies face, as well as potential solutions, and I’ve been studying the various schools of political realism and their application to the analysis of international relations. I’ve examined the nuances and specific characteristics of EU-China-U.S. relations."

Irina highlights that, whenever possible, she attends events and meetings organized by the university featuring officials and experts. One such memorable event was a meeting with a German general serving in NATO, during which he presented NATO’s perspective on Russia’s and China’s foreign policy strategies.

Speaking about the infrastructure of the University of Salzburg, Irina notes the extensive opportunities available to students. "Each faculty has its own building and library equipped with modern technology. Students have access to all faculty libraries both in-person and online. While assigned reading materials are generally accessible through the 'Blackboard' platform, conducting thorough analytical work still requires using the physical library resources," she shares.

Irina has conducted analyses on various topics and of different lengths at the University of Salzburg. She has especially devoted great effort to her research on political realism, analyzing the concepts of different schools of political realism, their similarities and differences, as well as examining two current major events—the China–US rivalry and the Russia–Ukraine war—from the perspective of realism. "I wrote a short research paper on EU-Armenia economic relations and on the EU-Western Balkans relations. Currently, I am working on other research projects as well," she said.

Alongside her studies at the University of Salzburg, Irina is expanding her social circle and making friends from various continents. The multicultural environment allows her to meet people with different worldviews and broaden her horizons. "By interacting with different people, you learn to be tolerant and patient; you begin to see world events from a new perspective. Living in a foreign country, I learned not only to appreciate the culture of the host country with all its strengths and weaknesses but also to re-evaluate and appreciate Armenian culture anew. I interact with people from all continents—Americans, Australians, Nigerians, Chinese, Brazilians, Germans, Kazakhs, and others. Besides Austria, I have also been to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia," she noted, emphasizing that she easily finds common ground with representatives of different nations. "I also have no issues living in the student dormitory. All the residents, who are students like me, are very kind and friendly."

Irina mentions that she has not encountered serious difficulties abroad, and she overcomes minor challenges thanks to her new foreign friends as well as her knowledge of English and her still-developing German language skills.

"I have always wanted to continue my education abroad for a certain period in order to interact with different people, gain new acquaintances and knowledge, and of course, visit new places. The quality of education abroad was an important factor for me, but living in a different cultural environment and interacting with people from other backgrounds was even more important. I am confident that this will help me in my chosen profession. I want to become an ambassador," Irina said.

Comparing the academic environments of YSU and the University of Salzburg, the student notes that in Austria, greater emphasis is placed on self-education and personal development. Therefore, students are allowed to choose almost all the courses they wish to study from the offered list. "What I found interesting is that students can obtain their bachelor's degree not necessarily in four years, but either earlier or later, depending on their chosen academic workload. It was also interesting that bachelor's students could study alongside master's students. I would like to see YSU also offer students opportunities to choose the subjects they want to study. I believe that would be a highly effective and motivating factor," she said. 

Speaking about the interaction between professors and students abroad, Irina emphasizes that professors can be both formal and approachable in their communication with students: "Each subject is usually taught once a week. Because many classes are frequently canceled due to holidays, students and professors often do not establish strong connections. Of course, students can meet with professors outside class hours, but not all students maintain that contact. Due to academic requirements, I have occasionally reached out to professors outside of class, and they have always been willing to help."

According to the student, regular interactions make the student–professor relationship at YSU significantly stronger: "At YSU, students are more involved in group work, presentations, and oral exams, whereas in Austria, they mostly conduct their research independently and only occasionally consult with professors."

Irina Sedrakyan intends to apply the knowledge she has acquired abroad for the benefit of the Republic of Armenia, aiming to contribute to the field of foreign policy. In her view, Armenia needs diplomats who can accurately assess the evolving international political landscape and demonstrate flexibility in order to effectively promote the country's interests.

The YSU student is confident that the knowledge gained in Salzburg, along with her ongoing studies at YSU, will support her future career.