Vienna: A Semester in the City of Music Past Review

By (Music, Environmental Studies, Saint Olaf College) - abroad from 08/20/2014 to 12/20/2014 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of independence and confidence living in a foreign country where I didn't speak the language well. I learned to be open minded, patient, and curious.

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 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I did most of my own cooking.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook for yourself, you will save a lot of money not eating out.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? 232
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? Try to use it, even if you aren't totally sure.

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?
  • Travel
  • Intense music study.
  • The Student Workers were the best!
* What could be improved?
  • A larger amount of students in the music program.
  • More diversity in students.
  • More mixing of IES students with Austrian students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that my home school was the "same-old-same" while I was gone, and that by being abroad, I wasn't missing out on anything. I was having a much better time than the people back at school for sure.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'