Europe; the time of my life Past Review

Going abroad is often labeled as a period in your life saved for finding yourself through cultural immersion. We all have hopes of going to another country, seeing the world, and learning about what makes a place special. After my time in Vienna, I not only found all of these explanations to be true, but I found more than that. I grew in ways I had never expected. I was challenged in equally as unexpected ways. And through all of this, I not only broadened my horizons, but I learned who I wanted to be in this life (while having a pretty fun time doing it as well!) Going to Vienna was the absolute time of my life. Not only do you walk around astonished that you live in the most beautiful place in the world, but you get the opportunity to learn about the Austrian ways of life. There's nothing better than strolling around Karlsplatz Christmasmarkt with your friends or settling down in a Viennese coffee house with some strudel and a good book. Every day is an opportunity to do something that makes your heart shine. Being so centrally located also allowed me to travel all over Europe, though my favorite times were spent in Austria. I came out of this experience with more ethnocentric views on life, and it was all because of the opportunities I had studying with IES Vienna. I am beyond heartbroken to have to leave such a marvelous city, but it proves to me that I made the right decision of where to study abroad. Missing something only proves how much it meant to you. The experiences I had this past semester were some of the greatest memories of my entire life. It's hard to explain what traveling does to you, and better to get out and just go do! I will carry Vienna in my heart for the rest of my life; I wouldn't want it any other way.