Christoph Rauter is in his sixth semester of studying Information and Communications Engineering at the University of Klagenfurt, and is currently writing his Bachelor’s thesis. He took courses at the university while still in secondary school. During his studies he has also worked as a tutor at the university for several semesters and recently spent a semester abroad at Trinity College in Dublin.

What exactly are you studying and why did you choose this technical degree programme?

I am studying Information and Communications Engineering at the University of Klagenfurt. While attending the HTL Villach, I enrolled as an external student at the university in my second year and attended a few courses. However, I realised that I was interested in technology even during my time at secondary school.

You attended the programme “Schülerinnen und Schüler an die Hochschulen”, an initiative that offers school pupils the opportunity to start studying while still at school. How did you like that?

I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I took one lecture and one course each semester at the University of Klagenfurt. It fit in really well with my school activities in terms of time.

Could you choose the technical courses you attended as part of this programme?

Yes, exactly.

Now you’re studying Information and Communications Engineering: How do you explain your programme to your family and friends, what you learn, what you work on, what your projects are?

It’s often not that easy to explain because most people know what Computer Science is, but do not know anything about Information and Communications Engineering. I usually explain it as a mixture of computer science and electrical engineering. You learn a lot about programming, but you also learn a lot about hardware, how computers work at a basic level, and how information is sent and processed.

Has your view of the world changed as a result of your studies?

Definitely. You learn a lot, and you also learn many things that are outside the scope of your studies. This is mainly because there are so many collaborations and so much information. For example, the Institute of Smart Systems Technologies here at the university of Klagenfurt has a collaboration with NASA.

How can students get involved in university projects and collaborations?

When you attend courses taught by individual professors, they draw your attention to the projects and programmes that are available, and then you can apply for a place in the project.

Why did you choose Klagenfurt as your place of study?

For me, it was like continuing my HTL education because Klagenfurt was the closest location and because you have direct contact with the professors. One of my first lectures was with Prof. Bettstetter. At the time, it was very helpful that I could turn to him with all my questions because, as I was attending school, I was not involved in everyday university life. Even back then, when I was studying at the university as a pupil, it was very helpful that the groups were small and you could ask questions. After HTL, I had the courses I had completed as a pupil credited and simply continued my studies seamlessly.

What semester are you in now?

I am now in my sixth semester, which is my last semester, and next semester I will start my Master’s degree in Information and Communications Engineering, specializing in Networks and Communications.

You recently completed a semester abroad at Trinity College in Dublin. How was that?

I was there from the beginning of January to the end of May, because the semester dates are not the same as the ones in Austria. However, the organisation leading up to my time in Dublin at the University of Klagenfurt and with Trinity College worked out great. The courses were really interesting.

Does Trinity College offer a degree programme in Information and Communications Engineering or a related field, or were you able to choose courses from different fields of study?

I chose courses from different fields of study because my curriculum here mainly lacked courses that were general education and not technical. For example, I took a basic lab course where we built a small car that then navigated itself. That was very exciting. Otherwise, I studied Geopolitics, Geology, and Displacement.

What was the best thing about the Erasmus exchange for you?

The international students you meet there. I don’t think you ever get this opportunity otherwise, to meet so many students from so many different countries in one place and also go on trips together. We visited many places in Ireland. That’s what I liked the most.