After spending seven out of the past eight weeks in Europe, I have finally succumbed to the last step of initiating myself as a student studying abroad: started a blog. It was inevitable.
Please bear with me as I struggle with the ever-present temptation that everything in my life is different just because it’s somewhat new and somewhat foreign. i.e. “I brushed my teeth with “Zahnschutz” toothpaste today!”
Nevertheless, as of approximately a week ago, I have arrived in Vienna, Austria, the gateway between East and West Europe. So far, the city has lived up to its billing. It’s beautiful. The 12-degree Celsius temperatures haven’t hurt.
But before devoting the rest of my time to Vienna, I can’t fail to mention Schwäbisch Hall (SHA). SHA hosted the one-month precursor to the Vienna trip. The students in our program studied at the Goethe Institut for three hours a day and enjoyed weekend excursions, Friday soccer matches and international cuisine. This quintessential German town was my home for a month, and it’s safe to say I will never have another home like it. It was the kind of diversity that only a suburban mega-church can dream of. Australians, Argentineans, Brazilians, Italians occupying the same classrooms and kitchens, learning and eating and drinking together. What ensued were some genuine friendships. I miss a lot of those people and will likely never see most of them again.
But Vienna is now my home. The city lyrically memorialized by Billy Joel, The Fray, and Owl City. I’m staying in the 6th district, right outside of Mariahilferstraβe, the biggest shopping street in the city. The public transportation and friendly Austrians have made the transition easy so far. As I get acclimated to the change of pace here, I’m eager to see what’s in store. Mal sehen…
Ciao.
No comments:
Post a Comment