First Impressions and Experiences

Before Program Begins:

I hope to gain many things from my study abroad experience in Vienna. I want to obtain an understanding of the long, rich history of not only Vienna and Austria, but the whole of Central Europe. I would like to grasp the social ways of the Viennese in their tendencies, mannerisms, the way people interact, and how they perceive others (especially foreigners like me). I also want to gain an understanding for the culture: music, architecture, literature, philosophy, food, language (how its different from typical German), politics, and diplomacy (where Vienna stands in the global community).

I would love to make friends here or at least give a good impression of myself, and so far I have been trying to be conscientious of being very polite (although I haven’t attempted the language), speaking clearly, and smiling a lot (one of my biggest fears is being perceived as an offensive, "ugly American"). I sincerely would like to improve my language skills- or develop I should say since im starting from ground zero and have nothing to improve upon. I think in order to do this I have to be brave and attempt to speak in German even though people will understand me in English. Unless I take a chance, I will never leave the English-speaking comfort zone and safety net. I think I am mostly nervous about butchering the language and coming off as an ignorant foreigner.

I selected this program because of the course substance. I feel that when studying abroad in college, there are the "trendy" places to go such as Spain and Italy. I’ve know people who go to these countries and they don’t really seem to assimilate at all because they go with a friend or even several friends and assume the "American college partier" role while there. In contrast to this, I chose Austria because the history curriculum interested me most out of any of the courses in the study abroad programs, and by going alone I will gain more personally in making friends and emersing myself in the study aspect of the program. I figure that I will have my whole life to travel all over Europe and the world (hopefully!) and for "study abroad" purposes I should choose the course I would most want to study. Even though there are lots of interesting places offered, I didn’t want to choose to go somewhere based solely on the location, but rather that mixed with the type of curriculum and experience I would have. Vienna seemed to be the perfect combination of all of those things. I have traveled some (not much) but I’ve been to Europe twice and have never been to Central Europe. It seemed new, interesting, exotic, and full of history that truly dwarfs our own short American history. I chose Vienna also because it was completely foreign to me and wasn’t just a "trendy" place to study, but a place I truly was interested in learning about. I also have to sheepishly admit that ever since I was little, "The Sound of Music" has been one of my favorite movies and I have always wanted to go to Austria ever since my obsession with the film began when I was very young. On top of all these things, my parents were very supportive of Vienna and pushed for it during my decision making.
I think it definitely matters what country you go to. Just because students are studying abroad doesn’t mean that the student in Brazil will have the same experience as the one in China, or Austria. Where you go completely determines the kind of experience you will have in terms of language, culture, history, society, course curriculum, etc. While the travel experience may be similar in that we are all stepping outside of our own familiar environments and going somewhere new, the different countries are all unique and special in their own ways and im sure no two programs offered through UCD study abroad are at all alike.


Day 1: June 29
I arrived in Vienna around 6pm after more than 24 hours of traveling. I missed my connection flight from Frankfurt because of confusion as to when my flight was supposed to leave (and when it actually did leave). I took a taxi to the Hotel Wilhelmshof which is located in a low key area east of the canal (in the second district called Leopoldstadt). After much needed stretching followed by a long shower, I ventured out for dinner. I walked around but was very intimidated by the restaurants featuring classic Viennese cuisine with German-only menus because I wasn’t sure what to order or expect. I ended up eating at a little Italian restaurant where I knew I would be safe with pizza and a glass of Chardonnay. The prices were good and the wait staff was friendly. I walked back to the hotel around 10pm, exhausted after all my travels.

Observations/ Thoughts/ Initial Reactions
- Its easy to cheat and speak English because so far everyone I’ve encountered knows it very well.
- After reading that some people here can be cold and uninviting, I’ve noticed the opposite, from the Viennese man on the plane here, to all the service people everyone has been very friendly.
- On that note, so far I have not experienced any anti-American sentiments or animosity
- Upon flying into Vienna and driving into the city, I noticed there are lots of trees and it is very green here. There are vineyards outside the city (by a lake) and along the canal there is a long green belt where people were walking and running. It also seems pretty clean, I haven’t noticed a lot of trash or homeless people so far.
- The city is definitely a combination of old world Europe with the cobblestone street remnants and beautiful old architecture, and contemporary modernism with large, shiny buildings and a corporate/commercial presence.
- The nice man on the plane from Frankfurt to here described Vienna as the New York of Austria with more going on, higher stress, more cynicism, and an artsy, busy, bustling urban city. It also has more of the eastern Europe vibe with the influence of the eastern block. Whereas western Austria (such as Innsbruck, Salzburg) are more like the California of Austria, more laid back, easy going lifestyles and friendly, happy people everywhere (he is from outside of Innsbruck and even said if he had his car he would take me to my hotel but was taking other transportation).
- He also showed me all about the city on the little map in my Lonely Planet book, where the good pubs are, where the beaches are along the Danube, and the good museums to go to.
- He also told me that many Viennese vacation in the Mediterranean or on the coast somewhere in the summer because it gets really hot here and obviously lacks an ocean to cool things off.
- He said it is a great wine-growing region, and I should definitely go wine tasting near the lake at some point....but that its not so much known for its beer (compared with Bavaria).
- Everyone here seems to smoke, in restaurants, the hotel, inside, outside, even the cook at the Italian restaurant had a cigarette hanging from his mouth while working in the kitchen.
- He said that it is a very safe city and women walk alone at night even at 3 in the morning without problems.


Race Relations
- We talked about the state of nearby countries such as Turkey and Hungary. He said not to go to Turkey cause I could get stoned, and when I laughed and said then I probably won’t go there, he got serious and said it could be very dangerous for me (or any Americans?)
- He said that Budapest in Hungary is a lot like Vienna, with the eastern block vibes. He said it should be safe and its cheaper than Vienna and I should try to go there and check it out.
- He said that Prague is like Vienna, but the people aren’t as friendly, they seem cold and reserved as a result from still recovering from years of the iron curtain and being controlled by communist Russia.
- He also said that Vienna is very much a melting pot from all over Europe with a considerably large Muslim population from Turkey and Hungary probably because of the very close proximity.

Personal Feelings:
- I am very intimidated by the German language...it is so difficult for me to grasp, I can’t even read the long words with crazy pronunciation.
- I am also intimidated/scared of the food here. It doesn’t say much in the Lonely Planet book about typical Viennese cuisine except that there is a lot of sausage...so I don’t really know where to start or what to eat or what anything on the menu means for that matter (but I also can’t eat Italian food the whole time).
- I can’t wait to settle into the dorms and unload my stuff so I feel more at home. It is really exciting being here and a little overwhelming/ freaky knowing that I won’t be going home for two months.
- Although I haven’t used it yet, the public transportation system seems to be really effective and useful here. I want to get my bearings before jumping on a train or bus with no idea where im going, but several people I’ve talked to say it is the best in Europe.
- TV seems similar to American but the shows.....they even have American shows with German voice-overs. I mostly have just watched BBC and CNN so far because it’s the only thing I understand.
- the only German I know so far is "Eine glas vine bette" = one glass of wine, please...taught by my German seat mate on the flight from LA.