My study abroad experience is not the same as many other students here at Western. I did not go to college, I did not live in a dorm, and I did not have large exams to study for. I received an all-expense paid scholarship from the Rotary Foundation to go to a school of their choice for three months to study German. I could not attend a full university semester in three months, so instead I went to a language school.

 ActiLingua Academy, in Vienna, Austria was the school the Rotary Foundation chose for me because of its diverse student body and small classes. In one class I had for classmates three Hungarians, a Czech, an Italian Swiss, a French Swiss, an Italian, and one from Japan.  At my school I did not see Americans very often. Over three months there were only two Americans and two Canadians who arrived with new students coming every week. I was forced to use my German every day in the classroom, as well as in the hallways.

I spent much of my free time finding unique watering holes. My friends and I often went to the “Heurigens” which is a wine tavern underground; many (older) locals would hang out and play cards or other card games at these taverns for the entire night. I absolutely love music and would go to the opera for only two euros! The Viennese are similar most Europeans in that they take their coffee very seriously. So, in addition to making my side trips to Starbucks (I am addicted what can I say?), I frequented the many coffeehouses that lined the Graben, the main street in the city center

My friends and I made it a point to share our cultures with one another. Someone would make an everyday meal from their country and we would go over to their apartment and eat in a big group with lots of laughs. I was unable to host a meal because a home stay was required with my scholarship, so instead we went out to T.G.I. Fridays. I will never forget the look on my friend’s face when she read the menu and asked me if the chicken fingers were really chicken fingers.

During my stay, I made a couple of side trips outside of Austria. My first visit was to Prague, Czech Republic. I have never felt more culture shock in my entire life. Normally when I travel I have a slight grasp on the language because it is Latin or Germanic based, such as our own. Czech has too many consonants and with that they add a dash of a rolling “r” mixed with the hissing sound. There was also a very pungent smell when you first arrive. A friend later explained that water was still considered a luxury and they normally only took showers two or three times a week. Just imagine! I noticed that Prague was a very artistic city. We always hear about East Berlin after the wall was torn down and the boom in artistic expression, but never hear about the same thing in Prague. There are sculptures and various forms or art all over the place if one takes the time to notice them.

For my next trip I decided to stay with the German language and hopped a train to Munich, Germany. I missed Oktoberfest by a week! I was bummed, but Munich still had tons to offer. A friend and I wandered throughout the city and saw the English Gardens, the “Nude Beach” and surfers. Yes, surfing in a land-locked country. On the river, there is a spot with a continuous swell near a park and this is a popular spot for many surfers to come and strut their stuff in front of large groups of people.

While I may be made fun of for my Austrian German when I am back at Western. I would not trade my days in Vienna for anything else in the world. I am comfortable in the German language, and now know that I can handle myself in Europe, I can not wait to explore more of the world! Who’s up for trying another continent?