Why more Kenyan students are choosing Austria for their Master's degrees

As more Kenyan students seek to study in Europe, Austria is emerging as a key destination.

A majority of Kenyans studying in Austria are going through The Erasmus Mundus programme, which incorporates several Austrian universities.

In 2024, about 23 Kenyan students went to Austria, through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. The students join Master's programmes across Europe, including Austria, to mainly study aerospace, computer science, and data science.

Nation Lifestyle spoke to three Kenyans who are studying in Austria about what life is like there; housing, learning, homesickness and working while you study.

Leila Maritim, 30

"I am currently living in Salzburg, Austria. I graduated with a Master's degree from the University of Salzburg in July 2024, majoring in geo-data science. I got a scholarship to study in both Austria and France.

I took my first year at the University of Salzburg as part of a multicultural group of international students.  Here, students can move to another university based on their area of specialisation.  For me, I did my second year at the University of South Brittany in France. Some colleagues specialising in geo-visualisation did a stint in the Czech Republic. The entire Master's programme lasts two years, spread across four semesters.

Before coming to Austria, I did a Bachelor's in Geomatics Engineering and Geospatial Information Science at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. After graduating in 2018, I spent three years working in public and private organisations, including West Kenya Sugar Company in Kakamega and UN-Habitat, but there was this lingering desire to study in Europe.

Copernicus was my number one preference, and I was fortunate to be selected. I had applied to other universities in the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain.

I was selected by the University of Twente in the Netherlands, but I wasn't given a scholarship.

Most people think that applying for a scholarship is tiresome. Mine was smooth, with plenty of information on the website. As soon as you are accepted, you receive a lot of assistance, from visa and accommodation to residence permits.

The most exciting part of studying abroad is the international environment. Having students from different parts of the world helped us as Kenyans settle much more comfortably. We moved from city to city together, educated each other, and participated in cultural activities as a group.

I also found a welcoming and friendly Kenyan and African society in Austria that eased the homesickness. During festive periods, they would organise things like Christmas parties.

But I experienced culture shock, especially the language barrier. I didn't German, so initially I felt a bit out of place. Thankfully, the programme offered basic German courses, and these helped with everyday interactions like shopping or asking for directions. My classwork was all in English, thankfully.

After graduating, I started looking for jobs in Europe and also Kenya.

The biggest challenge has been language because some of the jobs require one to be proficient in German. I'm now applying to global companies whose working language is English.

Regarding the cost of living, I found Austria manageable. There is an extremely good social welfare system. For example, if you lose employment, the State will assist you until you stabilise. When I was a student, I lived in subsidised student housing, costing between Sh29,504 to Sh44,256 a month. Shared flats cost about Sh88,512, while studio apartments cost between Sh88,512 and Sh132,768.

Would I advise anyone to study abroad? Yes. I now consider myself a global citizen who is open to taking up opportunities anywhere. Studying abroad has hardened me and made me more self-reliant. Living away from home taught me to handle adversity and emotions independently.

I'm now interested in how AI and art intersect, and I feel there's significant potential in harnessing these skills to create substantive solutions, particularly in Kenya.

Austria has many good universities and options. Of course, there is the issue of missing home, but even though I’m far away, I get to talk to my family every day.

Dennis Kamau, 28

I did a Bachelor of Arts course in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Kenyatta University in Kenya, where my journey in tourism started.

I graduated in 2019, did an internship at the Ministry of Tourism, joined Ecotourism Kenya's Leadership and Mentorship Programme and became an ambassador for sustainable tourism development.

When Covid-19 came, I decided to go study abroad. As soon as borders reopened in 2021, I moved to Austria and studied for a diploma in tourism management, then went ahead to pursue a self-sponsored Master's in Tourism at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences where I graduated in 2024. I had to pay for my own accommodation, travel, and part of the course fees.

The process of applying to study in Austria was surprisingly easy. Provided you have your documents and English proficiency; things will go well. I always tell people not to put all their eggs in one basket when applying for opportunities. I applied to several places, and Austria was the first to reply. I took it.

The learning process here is very practical, with plenty of group projects, discussions, presentations, and conference visits. I found this applied model to be more in-depth and useful in solving actual problems.

During my time in school, I was selected as a student representative and board member of the One World Scholars programme, a platform for students passionate about sustainability, social justice, and governance. Collaborating with other colleagues helped develop my intercultural ability and increased my sensitivity to global concerns even more. The biggest excitement for me was that my research paper was selected to be published at the International Student Conference on Tourism Research 2025, which is a global tourism research conference.

To support myself, I worked as a tour organiser and customer care assistant at Europe's hiking and biking company from 2022 to 2024. I also helped with product development for tourists interested in hiking and biking, two of Europe's most loved activities. Working while studying was challenging, and my social life had to take a backseat. But it taught me discipline, emotional maturity, and the need for a good structure.

It was not simple getting accustomed to Austrian life. There was that initial thrill, of taking photos and enjoying the environment, but soon the culture shock and homesickness overwhelmed me. I missed home food, and winters proved difficult to adjust to.

People here tend to maintain close-knit groups and even informal gatherings are planned weeks, rather than back home, where spontaneity is the norm.

As regards the labour market, one has greater prospects in Austria compared to Kenya where unemployed graduates are outnumbering the number of jobs available. Here, as long as you have the qualifications and especially if you speak the language, you will get a job. The sector of tourism here is competitive but with relevant experience and effective communication skills, you can thrive.

Of course, the living standards are higher here than in Kenya. But Austria boasts an excellent public transport system. Between Sh59,008 and Sh147,520, you can have an annual card that lets you board buses and trains throughout the country without paying extra. However, housing is expensive. Students are eligible for subsidised housing, with rent between Sh51,632 and Sh88,512, if they share an apartment.

You won't see all the staples we're used to in Kenya like ugali, but most supermarkets stock groceries.
I have adapted, although I'll always have a soft spot for Kenyan food.

I plan to go back to Kenya. I am also keen on youth empowerment and inclusive governance. With my experience working outside Kenya and a network that currently reaches more than 30 countries, I believe I am well-positioned to make a positive impact at home.

Living and studying abroad has transformed me. I've grown emotionally, professionally, and spiritually.

Ethel Ogallo, 29

I came to Austria in September 2024, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in geo-data science tracking.
I did a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geo-informatics at the Technical University of Kenya between 2013 and 2019. After graduation, I worked as an environmental officer, mostly in construction.

At the start of Covid, I started revisiting what I had learned during my undergrad studies, mainly programming and data-focused courses. It was then that I studied data science on my own and later got an internship at CEMA Africa (Center for Epidemiological Modeling and Analysis). I was later promoted to the role of data science research, and I was working mainly on spatial statistics. Having colleagues who were pursuing higher studies inspired me to do the same.

Initially, I had wished to study at a university in the Netherlands, but I stumbled upon the Erasmus programme while exploring options. I found a course that perfectly combined data science and Geographic Information Systems, something that I had done in my field of work in public health. I was lucky to have mentors who guided me through the application process.

In Europe, I immediately noticed how different the education system is. I think Kenya’s education is solid up to high school, but higher education lacks specialisation. Here, the learning is specialised, and professors are within reach. You don't have to look for study materials, everything is within reach.

The first half of the year was quite overwhelming. I felt like I was playing catch-up. Most international students came from different backgrounds academically, and it made me question if I was smart. But talking to other people helped. I knew that I wasn't alone, and the collaborative environment made it easier to adjust. Discussion, group work, and support from the group helped a lot.

Culturally, I was shocked upon arrival. I arrived on Sunday and everything was closed. That's unheard of in Nairobi. I had no food to eat and went to bed hungry. The second shock was smoking. People smoke a lot, especially around bus stops. I just learned to avoid those areas.

I love their transport system. There are buses every 10 minutes, and you can walk in the city. In comparison to the chaos of matatus in Nairobi, it is heaven. Accommodation has been the biggest challenge. It's expensive. I live about an hour from campus to reduce the rent, but I still pay Sh66,384 per month. Luckily, my scholarship had a budget cushion, and landlords were more willing to rent after they learned that I had that sponsorship.

Language has not been a major issue. Our programme is all in English. Most of the older people don't speak English very well, but younger people do. I learned some basic German phrases.

Although there are no Austrians in my class, I've still been exposed to the local culture. We go to traditional Christmas markets and attend local parades. It's nice.

Financially, I’ve managed well, partly because I had worked before and understood the value of budgeting. I follow the basic 50/30/20 rule, allocating income to needs, savings, and wants. I avoid eating out often because it’s expensive. You spend Sh2,941 for a meal that could buy a week’s groceries. Still, I try to enjoy life. You can’t be abroad and not live a little. I also get a stipend from the sponsorship programme.

What I love here is the way universities link students to industries. I recently attended an IT career fair where students were introduced to companies directly. Although it was not entirely in my line of work, it made me realise what can be done. In Kenya, we do not have direct links between schools and the workplace.

Socially, you have to come out of your shell to survive here. You must make yourself available. If you do not go to events and workshops, you miss out. Everyone here is friendly and willing to make friends as well.
I would like to spend some time in Europe working, maybe get a PhD, and then return home.

moochieng@ke.nationmedia.com