Vienna: Dying to Go Back Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Work is easy, but the access to museums and other relevant cultural resources makes it feel fulfilling. School is set up in a way that will be familiar to American students. Professors are knowledgeable and flexible.

On-site administration of your program

Supportive staff. Very friendly. Reception is awesome: coffee for a few cents and all your other needs in one office.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our apartment was just a little bit out of the way, since the Strassenbahn doesn't run all night on the weekends. Also, because I was living with all American students I wasn't forced to use my German very much. However, it was convenient, quiet, and cozy. Our RA was awesome, and there whenever we needed help with the city, German, or housing issues. We had sheets, cookware, etc. provided for us. Vienna is a very quiet city (10 pm quiet hours strictly enforced) so noise in the neighborhood was never a problem.

Oh good lord so much Schnitzel and Kaesekrainer. I assumed with all the fried things the sausage I was going to gain weight, but with all the walking we do around Europe I ended up in better shape then when I left. One of the best parts about our apartment is we had an awesome Gasthaus right across the street (on Jahngasse). Inexpensive food, great atmosphere, we got really attached (they gave us a bunch of free wine on our last night!!). We also made the trip out once a month or so to Neustift am Walde to a Heuriger called Wolfe.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The 10 day trip to Prague, Krakow, and Budapest was awesome. Well planned, inexpensive for the traveling you end up doing. The parties planned for the group were fun; they should look into doing more of those. It's nice when you get the whole group together. I LOVED orientation. 4 days out in the Alps is a great way to start off your travels, and we lucked out with the weather (you cannot miss that beautiful lake).

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Vienna is really safe. I felt safer there than I do at home. Violent crime is almost unheard of. That said, I made sure to stay in groups and all that jazz. I did not need health assistance while I was abroad, but the reception was always there if you needed help with that sort of thing.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Talk! Talk a lot. Talk with people on the Strassenbahn. Try to ask questions at the market. Talk even when you think you know six words of German. Also, the Heute is always laying around and is a daily newspaper/tabloid. Try to read it. The pictures make it easier.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• Orientation and other staff programs
• Location (Pallais!)
• Flexible classes

• Organization on the Chicago end
• Provide transportation passes