A Viennese Dream Past Review

By Lyndi (Pacific Lutheran University) - abroad from 08/11/2016 to 12/17/2016 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained greater fluency in German, confidence that I can move far away from home and be independent, a greater sense of self, total confidence in my choice of study and endless inspiration. It was incredibly worthwhile.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad 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.	I loved my courses, I found them challenging and exciting. The faculty was qualified, passionate and kind.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My apartment was very nice, my roommates were great, we had a few issues with our assigned RA, but they were worked out. I really liked being in the 5th district, a little out of the main touristy hub of Vienna, but close enough to reach everything simply and quickly.
* Food:	I can't speak enough to how much I miss Austrian food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt a little isolated within IES, being around all Americans, but there were opportunities to meet locals provided by our program, I was very busy and didn't take advantage of most of them, but they were there.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I always felt very safe within Vienna, and both the U.S. Embassy and IES were very good and tackling any concerns over safety and keeping us updated and prepared.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I got exactly what I was looking for and more with IES. Great classes, faculty, students, and overall experience. Highly recommend.

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)	Vienna is very reasonable. I cooked for myself almost all the time, so that helped with costs, but I didn't feel constricted to not go out and eat or enjoy a Viennese delicacy when I desired.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Save as much as you can before you go, and plan where you want to spend. For me, I didn't travel a ton on weekends (I did a few weeks before my program), but I was fully willing to spend for concerts and many lessons.

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?	Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	German 302
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?	Speak with your friends in the language whenever you can, same with your staff (I only spoke to my professors and staff in German)- they will be thrilled and willing to help! Be bold, and test yourself. You will mess up sometimes, but that is part of the process.

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?	Musical opportunities Staff Classes
* What could be improved?	Some communication aspects Integration with community More RA Training
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	How much taking a leap of faith could change my life.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Music Performance Workshop
Course Department:	Music
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I loved workshop. We worked on all sorts of chamber, from opera scenes, to Beethoven duets to contemporary Viennese Woodwind Sextet. I gained so much valuable experience here, worked with phenomenal colleges and faculty. By far one of the best aspects of my experience with IES Vienna.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Vienna Theater
Course Department:	German
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	German
Comments:	One of my favorite courses! Challenged me to read and communicate more fluently in German and offered the great opportunity to see many theater performances and open my eyes to different styles and traditions, such as Director's Choice theater which is popular in Vienna.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Advanced Music Theory
Course Department:	Music
Instructor:	Dr. Gruber
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was small and inspiring. Dr. Gruber is so excited about what he teaches and is an incredible musician and scholar! Was great to learn under him!
Credit Transfer Issues: