Admitting Independence and Loving It: My Time in Vienna March 27, 2024
By Emily L (Art History and German Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/01/2023 to 06/30/2023 with
Trinity in Vienna: Study Abroad in Austria
It was incredibly worthwhile and I miss it every single day. Being able to adapt to a different culture with a different language in an unknown place AND with new people. This experience gave me so much confidence in myself and adjustment capabilities that I would never have known about had I not had this experience. It was an invaluable experience that I genuinely think changed me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The Trinity in Vienna program made getting there (the most nerve-wracking part of it all) the most easiest transition. At other programs in different cities/countries, it seems that there is a lot of paper and logistical work that is assigned to the students without much aid or explanation over how to submit and fill them out. Through the Trinity program and their commitment and wonderful placement of our Professor Gerhard/babysitter, all of that anxiety about residential registration, university enrollment, visa application and approval, etc. was taken care of for us, or at least the stress around its obscurities was alleviated and explained. Moving to a new country is terrifying and they made it the most comfortable and supported experience– especially for a city whose American student abroad population is comparably smaller. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to bring small meals or snacks with you throughout the day, so you won't have to resort to buying out every meal or time you get hungry/go back to your accommodations each time. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | B1 |
| 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? | Befriend other international students or students involved in the local university, talk to shop keepers in local language, change phone language settings |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Not to worry so much before even getting there (although that is normal). |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
