“I’ve always wanted to live for a time in the US. I am fascinated by the typically American way of life that one knows from all the movies and series,” says Linda Oppelmayer, who studies music education, with guitar as her main instrument, at the mdw. After high school, she had intended to go to the US and work there as a nanny, but the COVID pandemic thwarted her plans. She finally got her chance to spend a longer period there through a semester abroad at the renowned Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), in the state of Ohio, from August to December 2025. She successfully passed the admission tests for the CIM, but due to the policies of the current US administration, applying for a visa turned out to be difficult. In May 2025, Linda wanted to apply for a student visa, but at that point they were generally not being granted. “I was doubtful that this would ever work out,” says Linda. “In June, however, suddenly it was again possible to apply for a visa, and in August I was able to fly to the US.”

Compared with the mdw, the CIM is a small institution, with about 350 students. During Linda’s semester, the guitar department had six students. She had already heard a lot of good things about her professor there, the Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux. “He is an incredible guitarist and a great teacher,” she can now confirm. Linda cannot really compare the CIM and the mdw with each other, also because at the mdw she studies music education and the CIM offers only performance degrees. “The CIM is very achievement-oriented. The students practise a great deal and apply for auditions and festivals, so there is more pressure to deliver,” says Linda. “It was important to me to make progress in my studies—which I did—but also to enjoy other aspects of my time there.” Many social activities and events for students were held at the larger Case Western Reserve University, with which the CIM has close ties. Out of interest, Linda attended a psychology class there and sang in the university choir. Something typically American that she wanted to try was cheerleading, so she took a cheerleading class at the university. “It gave me a great insight into this sport,” Linda says. “They showed us various steps and dances and how to cheer for a football team.”

The city of Cleveland is known for its football and basketball teams and for the enthusiasm of their fans. “A lot of people enjoy spending their weekends attending games and loudly rooting for their teams,” says Linda. She was able to experience the extraordinary atmosphere in the stadium first-hand at a football game, although the rules were a bit confusing for her.

Linda was also fortunate that both Halloween and Thanksgiving occurred during her time in Cleveland, holidays she had always wanted to experience. Dressed as a cheerleader, she had great fun going trick-or-treating door to door and collecting candy. She was able to celebrate Thanksgiving as well, with the traditional turkey dinner, at the invitation of a family there.

Back in Austria, Linda now wants to maintain the contacts she made in the US and plan meet-ups. Her English also improved during her semester abroad: “I already miss speaking English in a university context, so I’m looking forward to a class this semester at the mdw that will be taught in English.”

Linda would recommend spending a semester in the US to other mdw students as well, although the visa regulations are becoming stricter again and frequently change. She greatly benefitted from her stay personally: “Through a semester abroad, you gain a broader view of the world. I got to know myself better and really stretched my limits because at the beginning, I had to do everything on my own. I am thankful for everything I was able to experience.”

Text: Isabella Gaisbauer