Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Vienna: My life changing experience in the City of Music Past Review

By (French Horn Performance, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 08/21/2013 to 12/21/2013 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became a more confident, more mature musician. I fell in love with another language that I felt confident in my abilities to speak to strangers with, and I made a home in a foreign country.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics are not difficult at all. Teachers and professors want you to go out and explore the city, immerse yourself in the culture, and EXPERIENCE Vienna. Many of my classes had an interactive/go on an excursion aspect.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a beautiful, large apartment in the 6th district. It was right next to an U-bahn (subway) station, the Naschmarkt (large open air market), and a large shopping/restaurant area

* Food:

Beyond delicious! Traditional Viennese food is not something you want to eat EVERY day (lots of butter, fried meat, potatoes) but it is great for once or twice a week. Pastry shops with fresh treats, breads, and coffee are always a wonderful stop en route to a destination!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I spoke with locals everday because I made it a rule for myself. They were generally patient with me and allowed me to speak. The logner I lived there, I learned where to shop, how to take the U-Bahn, buy tickets for the opera and philharmonic, and how to give other foreigners directions! I learned the city like it was my hometown.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The doctors push you in and out of their office as fast as possible if you don't have a life threatening disease.

* Safety:

Incredibly safe. I could walk from the my U-bahn stop at 11pm-1am by myself with no worries. I never went alone anywhere at night if I was unfamiliar with a part of the city though.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Groceries were a lot less expensive than I had orignally budgeted for ($100=80 Euro per week) I cooked a lot so I would buy in bulk/cook in bulk and freeze food. I spent about 30 euro a week for groceries (that is on the HIGH side) I went out for a meal 1-2times a week and would get a pastry or coffee about 1-2times a week as well. Try everything and enjoy, but WRITE your expenses down and you can keep track of your money easily.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30euro/week groceries, 30euro/week on dinner out/opera tickets/going to a bar
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Write down what you spend. Categorize it: Grocery money, going out money (bars, clubs, music events), clothing/shoes, ect

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Music is everywhere and world-class
  • The food is comfort food and totally different what I expected
  • The city and its architecture is beautiful, and it is maintained to last so it can be enjoyed forever
* What could be improved?
  • The health care system is shocking different and less thorough than America's.
  • The music workshop for singers and instrumentalist could be more educational and masterclass/teaching-like
  • There could be a class on traveling around and out of the city, because when you first attempt to buy a train ticket to the airport, it is horribly confusing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to get around the city and to the airport

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!