Hello everyone! It has been quite the week for travelling for me.  Last Tuesday, I set off for my study abroad and arrived in Vienna early Wednesday morning.  But, before I could move into my apartment in the city, IES Abroad took all of the students to a family Hostel in Mariazell, Austria for a three-day orientation.  Mariazell is a small city three hours away from Vienna in a region called Styria.  It is mostly known for its winter sports and beautiful basilica.

Thankfully, there were no name-games at this orientation.  IES wanted the students to meet the staff and each other, grow comfortable with being away from home, and learn a little about what it’s like to live in Austria.  We had a traditional Austrian night (so, so many lederhosen) and we were taught to dance the Viennese waltz.  We also had day trips to Erlaufsee, a beautiful lake with a hiking trail, and into the city of Mariazell to tour the basilica and a schnapps factory.

After barely getting any sleep at orientation, everyone packed up their stuff and we were shipped off to Vienna to finally move into our apartments.  And, wow, it was totally worth the wait.  I live in Vienna’s 6^th district, only a 20 minute walk from the center of the city.  There are a ton of things to do, like the naschmarkt, various types of restaurants, and stunning parks.  I have only lived here two days, but I know this place will grow to feel like home.

IES warned students there might be some ups and downs while we’re abroad.  According to them, I’m still in the first phase of being in a new country, where everything is new and exciting and culture shock just hasn’t hit me yet.  I recognize that European life is very different from what I’m use to in the United States, but I am so open to everything I have experienced so far that I think I will be very willing to adjust myself to assimilate to the Viennese lifestyle.   Isn’t that what study abroad is about? I want to push myself to see what I am capable of and learn from mistakes I will inevitably make while I’m here.  I hope to gain a new perspective on the world and on my inner self. 

Location: Austria