TU Wien up close: three weeks of international exchange and inspiration

In November, the US Fulbright expert Jonathan Alloy brought his expertise to TU Wien and strengthened the communications team.

Jonathan Alloy’s program included numerous meetings and networking events, which gave him the opportunity to exchange ideas with the Rectorate team, to get to know employess as well as professors and students of TU Wien better and to identify and discuss communication topics of the university. In order to give Jonathan an optimal insight into the current strategy development process of TU Wien, Rector Jens Schneider invited him to the fuTUre fit Convention. The event gave him a good overview of structures, current topics and working methods as well as the first visions of the future with regard to the fuTUre fit process. His feedback on this was particularly fruitful for TU Wien’s communication strategy.

Culture and language

"Oida! Joining TU Wien through Fulbright Austria was my chance to contribute to the third century of a storied university and discover new strengths within myself. Jens, Bettina, Herbert, Bianca and all my colleagues in Vienna were beyond kind. From arranging an office and interviews, to attending concerts and student events, to hosting an entire American Thanksgiving dinner, they welcomed me as one of their own. As a Fulbright Specialist my task is to listen, learn, and teach. It was through the generosity of TU Wien that I fulfilled my mission", this is how Jonathan Alloy summarised his three-week stay as part of his work as a Fulbright expert at TU Wien.

Jonathan was continuously supervised and supported by the communications team under the direction of Bettina Neunteufl. As part of a workshop, the team used the external expertise to develop initial ideas for the future communication strategy together with him. "It was a great pleasure for all’of us to welcome Jonathan. His know-how and commitment have enormously enriched our everyday communication work. The intensive exchange and the joint work on forward-looking ideas were and are of great value to us - we would like to thank Jonathan especially for this. We look forward to continuing our successful cooperation and hope to see Jonathan again in person soon," says Bettina Neunteufl, Head of Communications.

Journey of discovery in Viennese

The adventurous American also had a lot on the agenda in his free time: Jonathan was able to spend a day as an ambulance driver with the Vienna Red Cross together with a TU colleague, as he is also involved in charitable work in the medical field in his home country. In addition, he explored the most important sights of Vienna, was inspired by cultural highlights such as classical concerts and musical evenings and attended a performance of the Spanish Riding School. In the run-up to Christmas, he had the opportunity to taste a variety of Austrian specialties at the traditional Christmas markets and in the Viennese coffee houses and to experience the cozy, unmistakable atmosphere of Vienna for himself. He also attended a guided tour of the Austrian parliament and made short trips to Graz, Berlin and Krakow on weekends.

About Fulbright Austria

Fulbright Austria awards scholarships for students, researchers and experts to support academic and cultural exchange between Austria and the USA.

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