Vienna is an amazing city! Past Review
By Mary Claire Bassett (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/11/2018 with
IES Abroad: Vienna - Business, Economics & International Relations
I gained a lot of independence and learned how to fill my free time with things of purpose. This was the first time I had no clubs or requirements and could do anything I wanted. I utilized the time to find out what I am really passionate about, what makes me happy, and started to self-motivate myself to go out and do it without having someone else push me to. Your experience is only as good as YOU make it, so why not make it the best?
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were typically not too hard, but I still was able to learn a lot since the professors were very qualified and had years of credible experience. I preferred to learn about their personal and professional experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were open to any questions we had whenever we had them, provided us with plenty of resources for health and navigating the city, and provided plenty of interactive activities to do with fellow students and learn more about the country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my apartment. I shared it with a local and had a great experience. |
| * Food: |
Food, especially the cake, is amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Vienna is very safe. I am a female and would walk alone a lot and never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had an amazing time in Vienna - it is a city and Austria is a country I connect with and would love to go back to visit. I felt very prepared and supported by IES. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It isn't super cheap in Vienna, but it is definitely manageable. I bought groceries about every week because the portions they sell are smaller (not in bulk). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to places where you'll get enough food for the price and it will be worth it! There are so many smaller restaurants and cafes, you don't have to go to the big brands. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3 years of Spanish in highschool |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice your language as often as you can with the locals. Use it when ordering food, on the bus, asking for directions etc. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The IES advisors and professors are GREAT resources and you should get to know them right from the beginning. They know Vienna and most of Europe very well and have amazing suggestions and advice to give. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
