OeAD Student Housing

This summer I joined Green Building Solutions (GBS) in Vienna, and it turned out to be one of the best learning experiences I've had. The topics that stayed with me most were energy modeling, life cycle assessment, and parametric design with Grasshopper and Ladybug. I work with LCA every day in certification projects, so going deeper into the method with people who teach and practice it was exactly what I was hoping for. The site visits were a real highlight. We walked through actual projects and had honest conversations with the people behind them, which no textbook or software tutorial can give you. The organizers made everything easy. The accommodation was great, everything ran on time, and the evening sports were a nice way to get to know the group. Thank you to the GBS team and everyone I met there. I'm bringing a lot of this back to my work in Cairo.

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An exceptionally well-designed program through which participants gain valuable experience in sustainable construction. The practical project, site visits, and discussions with experts are particularly valuable. The international environment adds a special charm to everyday activities as well as to enjoying life in Vienna.

From the immersive courses to simulations of country negotiations, I enjoyed every bit of it. learning the history of finance was equally eye-opening, and looking into sustainable systems that are currently working and resolving challenges of sustainability or impact-driven cooperation.

I had the honour to be a part of the Green.Building.Solutions. Summer University in Vienna last year. For three weeks, international students from all around the world came together for a joint study program in Vienna. The program offered a variety of activities, including lectures at the TU Vienna and the BOKU, panel discussions, excursions and evening events. The students' accommodation was located in the beautiful 2nd district, near the Prater (a huge and very beautiful park), in a very lively neighbourhood with many bars, restaurants and coffee shops. After the first two weeks of the program, the students would work on their own projects in groups that were afterwards presented in a beautiful setting at the TU. The project work was supported by architecture professors from TU and various practitioners from different fields who supported the groups with their specific knowledge. All in all, I can only recommend the GBS! We built a wonderful, international community, the staff was very sweet and supportive and the practical work was interesting and productive. Plus, Vienna in summer offers great activities for many different interests and is definitely worth the visit.

I had an incredible experience with the Summer University at GBS. The program fosters critical thinking through outstanding lecturers who cover highly relevant, future-oriented topics. One of the most enriching aspects was the opportunity to connect with people from around the world and gaining insights into how different countries approach the same global challenges in different ways. On top of that, I made friendships across borders that I truly cherish. It was an unique and unforgettable experience that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss!

I could see from the beginning that it will be a very good experience., starting with my application (very precise, detailed and useful information) and the pre-summer school period. There was always someone there to answer my questions, offer support, find solutions to the problems that came up or even remind me of the deadlines. And most of all, there was so much understanding when there were delays from my part. Everything offered in the summer school was useful to me. The experience itself was rich. First of all, there was the location - Vienna is such a beautiful city, noone should miss it! Then there was everything that was made available for us, as a group - all the presentations, workshops, excursions, educational, cultural and leisurely activities. The teaching methods were something that I, for one, have never experienced before. The organizing team did a really good job. It was like a feast. I only wish I could have gone without sleep, in order to make use even more of everything that was just laid out for us... and of course, I wish it lasted longer!

Participating in the Green Building Summer School in Austria was an incredible experience. I had the chance to connect with students and academics from around the world, expanding my network in meaningful ways. Being immersed in Viennese culture - commuting like a local, discovering hidden gems, and learning in such a vibrant city made the experience even more rewarding. The program offered a rich look at both current practices and future innovations in green and sustainable building, and I left feeling inspired and energized. I would highly recommend this program to any students interested in making the built environment a more sustainable place

The best study abroad program I have done till now - unlike many other programs it was perfectly organised - all the information was delivered to us in advance, lots of activities planned for the students. The courses and lectures were extremely informative, perfect for someone who wants to get to know all the aspects of the environment and green building. I recommend it to all my friends!

Participating in the Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems (AEMS) program in Vienna was an incredible experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in a truly global environment, surrounded by brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds, all eager to explore innovative economic and sustainability concepts. One of the most rewarding aspects of AEMS was the opportunity to connect with participants from all over the world. These connections went beyond networking—they fostered meaningful exchanges of ideas, cultural perspectives, and lifelong friendships. The collaborative spirit of the program created an inspiring atmosphere where discussions about alternative economic models were not just theoretical but practical and applicable to real-world challenges. The content of the program was equally impactful. The sessions, led by experts and academics, provided deep insights into sustainable economic systems, monetary reform, and climate-friendly policies. What made AEMS unique was its emphasis on how we can apply these concepts in different contexts, making the knowledge gained not just valuable but also actionable. Overall, AEMS Vienna was an enriching experience that broadened my perspective and reinforced my commitment to sustainable economic solutions. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of alternative economic systems while building a global network of like-minded individuals.

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I was thrilled to be part of this amazing experience in the summer of 2017 after being awarded a partial scholarship. I had one of the most memorable times of my life and still reminisce from some of the moments I had with people from all over the world. I enjoyed the group sessions we had (the disagreements as well, LOL!), the sightseeing activities and the bonding we had. Looking forward to visiting Austria some time soon and maybe dropping by the summer school. I am forever grateful for this experience and looking forward to connecting with some of my colleagues some time in the future.

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There was a great variety of lectures. Lecturers had a lot of different backgrounds and shared their real life knowledge. We did a lot of simulation games were we gathered own experiences how it feels to be in certain economic situations where you have to make decisions. The location and facilities were also very nice! And Vienna is always worth a visit.

I was part of the Green.Building.Solutions summer school on 2020. It was the first on-line edition, some of the students were on site and some others took part on-line. However, this did not lessen the great experience it was. On one hand, one have the chance to exchange ideas with students from many countries and different backgrounds, what enriches the whole learning process. This multicultural and interdisciplinary characteristic is unique to this course. During the classes you get input from experts in different areas, for example: climate responsive design, energy efficient building analysis, building materials, passive house standards etc. One learn also about different software and tools that are relevant not just for the project but also for your professional career. I fully recommend this summer school, not just because of what you learn during the lectures, but the experience gained while developing the course assignment and the people you get to know from all around the globe.

In 2018 I had the privilege to be a part of the summer university inmersing myself in a very multicultural program that changed my life! Don´t dare to doubt about going if you've got the opportunity, just do it because I assure you, you will never regret it! I got to make friendships that live in different parts of the world and that still today I can call friends. I got to learn so much about materials, passive houses and cities. I was able to visit Vienna, one of the most amazing cities I've ever been to. Be sure that this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity!

The course academically was such a great choice that I made, I really like how interdisciplinary it was and how the people who were studying and accepted into the course had very diverse backgrounds from an educational, experience and cultural perspectives. We learnt about a mixture of topics all very important and needed in the future, and the variety in the teaching methods was great, we had a mixture of lectures, workshops and expeditions which involved going to site and trying new softwares. The lecturers were also with very diverse backgrounds and even the organizers so you learnt something new everyday! From a social perspective, we were living in student accommodation in the heart of Vienna and it was also the first passivhaus student accommodation worldwide which gave it a more educational aspect in the way that we learnt how to operate and live in a sustainable building, so we were applying what we learnt in the classroom. We had many cultural and social events, from dining in a Heuriger, which is a Viennese traditional dining experience, to sports days and some hiking trips around Vienna, we even had a Viennese Waltz class and started going to Salsa nights in our free time. I made friendships that will last for life, I will always remember this experience and will cherish the memories and Vienna will always have a place in my heart!

The best program that I have ever seen and best experience .. I learned more about sustainable buildings and passive houses .. I encourage any student to join them .. An amazing OeAD-Guesthouse as well.

Green Building Solutions Summer University was a space to aquire practical learning experience within multidisciplinary teams and under the tutelage and guidance of high-level professionals. During the program I was able to learn cutting-edge technologies and to improve my critical and holistic thinking focused on sustainability and resource efficiency, while developing innovative solutions for a real problem.

Fantastic experience - educational and cultural! Well organised, very interesting/insightful seminars and day trips to see what's happening on the ground, too. Great to be studying with people from different academic/professional backgrounds, but all pursuing a common goal.

GBS is far more than a summer school experience. It has been a life-long learning program that offers enormous knowledge and excellent up to date information on sustainable construction. The teaching and organizing crew give their best to provide participants a great experience both theoretical and practical knowledge which include hands-on work with design software and exciting site visits to project locations. The program had survived even the harsh unfortunate Covid measures by creating a hybrid solution between in presence and online distance program in 2021. One great advantage worth mentioning is how GBS Summer University can bridge between young enthusiastic students and professionals with highly experienced educators and professionals that are willing to assist students to enter the professional sphere. It was a great experience for me and I highly recommend it for interested prospect applicants

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