I really, really wanted to like it... Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As much as I want to convince myself I had fun here, it just feels like a lie. The program staff was nice, and my psychology professor in particular was a great guy. But my fellow students and the country's healthcare system severely undercut my experience. Students in my program were heavily exclusionary to me basically just because I am a bit of an oddball/Aspie/dork. Vienna would have been a great city to experience with friends, but I had 0 there. I feel bad disparaging IES because the staff was kind to me, but if you are at all neurodivergent, DO NOT go on an IES program. Just don't. Unless you like being treated like a freak for simply existing - seriously, you'd think people would grow up a little by the time they hit age 20. Secondly, the healthcare system: I was pretty sick most of the trip with meningitis-like symptoms, so I saw lots and lots of doctors. I had one experience where I began having very labored breathing in the waiting room, to the point where my vision was getting really blurry, and nobody helped me or expressed concern - didn't even offer me a place to sit. Another time a doctor refused to examine me (literally DIDN'T EVEN TAKE MY VITALS) because nothing "looked" wrong with me. Basically doctors get angry at you for being there if you're not A) an old person or B) visibly dying, and will heavily imply to you that you're wasting everyone's time, even when you're like "I don't know what's happening to my body and I'm scared out of my mind." There's also nothing like Urgent Care so if you are sick on a weekend, you have to go to the (super crowded) ER no matter what's wrong. Good points of the trip were very inexpensive opera and musical experiences, a great rail system, the Donau, and beautiful architecture. But I just can't say that the good outweighed the bad here. If you're healthy and have never had issues with bullying, you'll probably love it. Otherwise: skip IES and visit for a week with your friends or family.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Gorgeous apartments but 6 people to one apartment never ends well. Also, no elevators or dryers, because Europe.

Pretty hard to find health food but if you like desserts, this is your city. I can't really comment on typical Viennese food because I'm really allergic to wheat and dairy, but the kebab boxes on the street were awesome. I've also heard good things about Kasekrainer (sausages with cheese inside). Oh! The coffee and coffeehouses were great too.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

People will be pretty annoyed because you're an American (it's also not like Germany where if you start speaking German, locals will hear your accent and speak English back), but it's not a huge issue

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I described my gripes with Austrian healthcare in my review above. Very, very unprofessional for the most part. The program staff will help you navigate the system as best they can, though.

Don't go to Margaretengurtel (sp?) at night - a girl in the music program was walking home there and she was stalked. Apparently this was not an uncommon experience in that part of town. Other areas seemed fine.

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

my food budget was ASTRONOMICAL because I can't eat bread/pasta/oatmeal/etc. Tried to cut down costs by buying frozen stuff, but it didn't work. You're going to need like 3x the food you usually eat because you will burn SO MANY calories from walking around. Seriously, I tried to eat my normal amount of food and lost a ridiculous amount of weight. Also, just buy the damn monthly train ticket.

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

I was one of 3 people in the Psych program who spoke German so not a lot of immersion among students... I had good German conversations with my German teacher though. Listening to operas in German with English subtitles was good for learning.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• Architecture
• Teachers
• Rail system

• Healthcare
• Bullying/whiny bratty students who hated walking and nature
• Both things I said above times 100

The Academic or Linguist