Wait, school can be fun?!?!

I realize I have completely focused my blog on the "Abroad" part of my experience and have neglected to explain the "Study" part.  I wanted to wait until after I attended the first half of my intensive course, which was this past week, to give a full assessment of my courses.  So what is the verdict?  LOVE.

My first course of the week is Business German 1a, which is full of about 40 exchange students who want to learn how to get by in German.  The first day of class, my impression of the course was not good as the professor failed to attend it!  The next week, however, she did make it to class and we found out that there was an emergency change of teachers and that she would make up for the missed class by taking us to a Heuriger after class the following week and help us catch up.  For those of you who don't know, Heurigers in Austria are like small, locally owned vineyards that serve their local wine and Austrian specialties made from local products. There, we learned the basics of ordering and food vocabulary, and got to know our classmates and professor on a deeper level.  This is definitely unheard of in the United States!  Aside from our field trip, we have 3 hours of class every Monday where we learn basic German vocabulary, verbs, and phrases.  We are often told to break off into groups and practice speaking about certain topics, which aside from helping us learn German, also helps for making new friends!  She is a very quirky lady, but I love her openness and enthusiasm!

Us with our German professor at the Heuriger!

My next course is International Marketing.  I was practically giddy after attending the first lecture when I realized that the only word I could use to describe the lecture that day was "fun!"  We are learning about doing business and marketing with other cultures and how to go about examining international markets.  It is a detailed course, but because it is a topic I find incredibly interesting, I really enjoy learning about it.  I feel like I am finally learning to do what I want to do with my life, instead of what UF tells me to learn.  I also really enjoy the way of learning here at WU.  The class I am in is only about 24 students, so I feel like I am getting private tutoring compared to the UF classes of 600 students.  The lectures feel less like lectures and more like discussions.  I enjoy speaking up in class here, answering questions, and giving my opinion on various topics.  I feel like I am finally in my element and finally getting what I want out of my education.  Aside from lectures and readings, we have been broken up into groups and given the semester task of picking a product and developing a marketing strategy for introducing it to a foreign market.  I am so excited to get started!  My group members were all excited to have me in their group, and decided our team name should be "Florida."  I was flattered.

Globalization in Vienna!

My final course is called Consumer Behavior in International Tourism.  It a "block course" which meets for 2 full days in March and then 2 full days in June.  Between the course blocks we have the independent study task of writing a research paper on a specific consumer behavior trait of a specific consumer segment in a specific tourism destination.  I was worried that I would die having class from 8am to 4pm two days in a row, but I was pleasantly surprised  when I actually enjoyed it!  Again, the number of students in the class is small, so I feel much more engaged in the lecture.  The course is focused a lot on the psychology of consumer behavior, which is quite interesting.  I am also learning a different aspect to the tourism industry by examining it through the behavior of the consumer and how to develop a business strategy to make use of their behaviors. At the end of the first day he had us work in groups to develop and explication on the current trouble with tourism in Egypt.  I loved that he used such a relevant topic.  Each group then met with him individually to discuss what we came up with and I presented the work to him for our group.  I really enjoy it!  I also appreciated that he took the time to ask us where we are from and tried to get to know us a bit.  I feel like the professors really care about students here... it's really nice! :)

So clearly, I am learning a lot and enjoying my courses at WU.  Don't worry Mom and Dad, I am still a student!!!

Perhaps Graduate studies here in the near future???  One can dream... :)

Building my own path :)

2 Florida girls, 1 sled, and a giant snowy mountain...

I experienced one of the biggest adventures of my life flying down a mountain outside of Vienna.  I began the journey cursing like a sailor and almost having a heart attack, and ended with a buttload of laughter and a big "woo-hoo!!".  Because I am very tired tonight, and because my Partner in Crime, Stephanie Mason, is such a great writer, I'm stealing the story of our adventure down the mountain from her blog and posting it here.  Steph is a friend of mine from UF who is also studying here in Vienna, and has never seen snow until this past month.  Here's the story:

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This evening, I went on a trip with the Buddy Network to go NIGHT SLEDDING!

I was pretty anxious just anticipating attempting to sled. Then, when we finally saw the mountain we were facing, my heart sank & I thought, “That can’t be right!”:

It didn’t help that we had to sign a waiver (understandably) & were told numerous times to “seriously, be careful.” Oh, nor did the news that a man had died sledding last week help abate my anxiety. Nor did the fact that we didn’t have any instruction…at all…& this was only my second encounter with snow. Tess was right there with me. We were beginning to question our decision to partner up as two rookies, but we were going to make the best of it. At least we were on the same page.

Pictured (L-R): Tess (UF), Julie (TX) *pre-accident, & Me

I was hesitant just to clamber into the box lift. You can hardly imagine how terrified Tess & I were trying to peek down the steep hill that was the top of the mountain we were about to descend. The only insight we were equipped with:  dig your heels in the snow if you want to slow down/stop, & lean to turn. [Now we feel prepared...not.] We decided to tackle the 3km winding path alongside Julie & her partner. The initial push off was so unnerving. As soon as our sleigh started taking off down the hill, we were panicking. I swore nearly the entire 3km. We kept 
saying
screaming: “Who does this!?” “How is this fun!?” “What did we get ourselves into!?” “This is torture!”, & miscellaneous obscenities. About 1/2 way down, we (nearly literally) ran into Julie & her partner toppled over on the side of the path. So, Tess & I tried our darnedest to stop to check on them. We finally came to a halt about 50 yards down the slope & walked back up to Julie. She was trying to remedy a nose bleed with snow. While we waited for her nose to stop bleeding & tried to calm our nerves, on countless occasions we found ourselves dodging other sledders. At times, we had to leap into thick snow on the side of the mountain just to avoid a collision.

We were all so shaken up after the Julie’s crash, we seriously considered walking the remainder of the trek down the mountain. Ultimately, we decided that would be possibly even more dangerous than trying to sled, due to the other sledders & the lack of an isolated walking path. Feeling defeated & helpless, we saddled back up on the ‘toboggan’ & made a half-hearted push off. Come to find, the first leg of the mountain is the worst. That’s always encouraging, when you’re getting clobbered in the beginning. But, alas, we survived. After the crash, we all swore we were done with sledding. We had 3 tickets each, but we were ready to be rid of the other 2 at this point. I also decided I hated snow. “Give me back the sand,” I said to one of the locals.

I do almost wish my family had introduced me to snow when I was younger, because I’ve found that it’s not so glamorous when you’re older. However, to the people who grew up with fond memories of snow, it has more sentiment. Even the novelty of it is not enough to convince me it’s pleasant at this point. I still have never made a snowman. Maybe that would change my mind – though probably not, & we may never find out.

After making it to the bottom of the mountain, Tess & I had a new-found sense of motivation (probably thanks to all that adrenaline.) We spontaneously decided…”What the heck!? Let’s try it again!” It was another 30 minutes before we had to turn our sleighs in, & we HAD already paid a bundle for it. We knew, however, if we were going to go for it, we’d have to go all out….because…the first run took us nearly an hour to complete. Some others in our group had made it down in 5 minutes. So, we knew it was possible. We descended the mountain with a sense of determination…& soiled underwear (j/k!) And…we made it down in 5 minutes without stopping! We had finally worked out an efficient & effective system for tobogganing. Tess did a fantastic job steering us from the back, & I sat up front navigating & trying my best to somewhat control our speed.

We only had 15 minutes before our sleigh was due to be returned, but we opted to conquer the mountain one final time. When we got to the top again, we agreed not too be overconfident & treat it as our first run. (Just to prove I am still conscious of my studies while abroad, I reflected on how this situation was applicable to business – particularly working in a team to resolve a problem/achieve a goal. It was a fleeting revelation, though, as we were quickly forced back into survival mode.)

We did crash once. (Who didn’t?) It wasn’t painful…until I realized I had a mass of snow in my britches, numbing my butt. That wasn’t a particularly comfortable scenario.  Again, we made it down in under 5 minutes. We were on riding high on cloud 9 by the end. The Floridian girls had grabbed that bull of a mountain by the horns & told it who was boss. Would we do it again? Heck yes! Could we envision ourselves saying that from the onset? Heck no!

After all the ‘toboggans’ were returned, the Buddy Network group had a social in the Apres Ski lounge. We ate goulash & danced to some German tunes for 2 hours. They ended up playing some of the festive German songs I learned during Carnival…& I requested some others to the dj.

It ended up being an all-around fabulous night with the Buddy Network. Kudos, guys!

*A special thanks to my phenomenal partner, Tess!

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Visit Stephanie's Blog! http://stephanielmason.wordpress.com/

In addition, I have to say that quirky bathrooms are one of my favorite parts of traveling.  I know, I'm a weirdo.  Luckily, after sledding I had an interesting experience in the Apres Ski lounge bathroom...  I was told that there was a cool one-way mirror in the bathroom, so I went to check it out.  I didn't see it at first, but as I walked into the stall I realized that the whole wall opposite the toilet looked like a window!  I knew the people drinking beer and dancing 3 feet away from me could not see me... but I had to consciously keep telling myself that as I used the restroom.  It was a very cool/creepy experience!!

Post sledding: Relaxing at Apres Ski lounge
Alyssa, Jess, Julie, and Me

American Girl

I've always LOVED Tom Petty and his song American Girl, but since I have been in Europe I just can't get enough.  I feel like I am finally embracing my "American-ness", which is ironic since this is happening to me at a time when I am not actually living in the USA.  I have always loved other cultures, and have often felt like the United States is lacking in the cultural department.  We have a short history, an odd mix of people, and our lives tend to be centered more around material objects than simply enjoying life experiences.  I often spoke pessimistically about the US and never really thought about the good.  But since I've been away, I have discovered that I really am proud to be from the United States.  Do I sometimes wish I could live in Europe forever?  Of course!  Nevertheless, I do love where I am from and am proud to be a positive representation of the USA to people from other countries.  We are not all dumb, greedy, ignorant, rednecks!!  :)

Meanwhile, I have sucked Alyssa into my obsession for this song, and we now blast it in our dorm room quite frequently.  I also played it on the jukebox at a local pub this evening.  It's surreal hearing a song from my hometown, that I've listened to my whole life, play in a small pub in Vienna, Austria.  :)

Anyway, here are my favorite lyrics to the song:

Well she was an American girl

Raised on promises

She couldn't help thinkin'

That there was a little more to life somewhere else

After all it was a great big world

With lots of places to run to

And if she had to die tryin'

She had one little promise she was gonna keep

(Tom Petty, American Girl)

Budapest, Vienna, and Venice... Is This Real Life?!?!

I know it has been WAY too long since my last post... I've been so busy lately!!!  So shall we dive in?

Budapest, Hungary
"Buda Buda Buda Buda Walkin' Everywhere!"

Last week Sara, one of my best friends from middle/high school, came to visit me from Paris!  On Thursday we went on a crazy welcome party on a boat for the school, and on Friday we were on a bus to Budapest, Hungary!  Lesson #1: do not attend crazy boat parties the night before you leave for another country. (We did make our bus, but it involved a good amount of running through metro stations...)

We arrived in Budapest and yayyy, it was snowing again!!  We found the metro to take us towards a restaurant recommended by my guide book (thanks Dad!) and finally got to see the city center.  I have to say, Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen!  We eventually found the place and stumbled in with our giant backpacks.  Lesson #2: Do not bring the world with you for a weekend trip... it's not worth the pain!  

The restaurant was quite adorable, and we were promptly introduced to the new culture when bowls of lemon water were placed in front of Alyssa and me.  (For some reason Sara didn't get one...)  We stared at the bowls for a long time.  I thought about drinking it... but it was in a bowl, which was weird.  We then brainstormed a thousand different purposes of the lemon water, and decided it must be for hand washing... so we dove in.  We asked the waitress later what the water was for, and she replied "after."  We are still confused...

Lesson #3: Always bring a calculator when eating in Hungary with other people.  Although Hungary is now part of the EU, they are still in the transitioning stage so they still use the Hungarian Forint.  The exchange rate is 1 Euro = 270 Forint  and 1 US Dollar =190 Forint.  So the total for every meal we had was in the thousands and naturally, they do not split checks.  It was the most complicated math I've ever had to do at dinner time... especially after a couple glasses of Hungarian wine.

Our hostel was amazing.  Andrew, the owner of Home Plus Hostel, was so kind and spent at least half an hour showing us all the places we must see on a map, and gave us recommendations for good restaurants and bars.  He also shared a bag of cookies with us :).  We ended up in a 9 person room to ourselves, which was so homey and comfortable.


Our first night out we went to a local restaurant with live piano and I had my very first Hungarian goulash!  We ended the night by exploring Buda.  We stumbled upon the Fisherman's Bastion, a terrace on Castle Hill that overlooks the city and is completely magical when it's illuminated at night.

The next day we toured around the city and went to the Terror Museum.  There we were educated about the Hungarian Communist and Nazi regimes which took rule over the country in the 40s and 50s.  These two terror regimes used the house of terror, now a museum, to hold, torture, and kill many innocent people.  We listened to interviews of former prisoners telling the cruel acts they had to endure.  We also toured the bottom cellar where the prisoners were kept and tortured.  It was not my imagination, it still smelled of dead bodies.

We also took a walk along the Danube and saw the Shoes on the Danube Promenade memorial.  Here stood a long row of old shoes of all sizes to symbolize Jews who were shot into the river by the Arrow Cross regime.  It was a beautiful, but sad memorial.

Our last day we went to the Szechenyi Bath and Spa, dating back to 1881.  The city of Budapest has many natural baths all over the city, where both locals and tourists come to relax and enjoy the natural healing properties of the thermal wells.  It was very relaxing, and we also indulged in massages!  Lesson #4: People come in all shapes and sizes, and modesty is not the same in every culture.


Overall, I loved my time in Budapest and want to go back again when it gets a bit warmer.  Heck, with a 19 Euro bus ride and a 10 Euro Hostel... why not??  :)

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Falling in Love with Wien
I couldn't be happier calling any other place home.

After we returned from Budapest, Sara and I spent a few days exploring Vienna and going to the Art History Museum.  It was so much fun!

We went ice skating in front of the beautiful city hall.  It was my first time ice skating and I had a blast!  (I even skated backwards and did an awesome spin-turn move!)

Alyssa and I also took her out to the local bar, Travel Shack, where all the Erasmus students and local travelers hang out.  We enjoyed ourselves.  :)

We also went to the Prater amusement park (which was mostly closed for Winter) and went on the famous Prater Ferris Wheel.  The views were amazing!!  I miss Sara already, and can't wait to visit her in Paris this April!

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Carnivale di Venezia
Pasta, pizza, crazy costumes, little girls singing in Italian, gelato, sunshine, and one crazy train ride!

Last weekend we took a party sleeper train to Venice Carnival with the school's Buddy Network.  It was one of the craziest weekends of my life.  The way there we had our own sleeper compartment and were treated to unlimited drinks in the "Party Wagon."  The wagon was stuffed full of internationals dancing and having a little too much fun.
Lesson #5: A room full of college students + unlimited boos + a high speed train = a recipe for disaster!

We arrived groggy in Venice the next morning and were immediately greeted by a woman in full Carnival attire on the bridge to the city, just a preview of what was to come.  The whole day was spent wandering the city, taking pictures, and marveling at the massive amount of people and the intricacies of all the costumes.  It was so much fun!  One of my favorite parts of Italy, naturally, is the food.  I had AMAZING pasta for lunch, AMAZING gelato for a snack, and AMAZING pizza for dinner.  I can't wait to go back to Italy just for the food alone!

While walking around we saw so many different costumes... even whole families dressed up!  One of my favorite moments was when we were sandwiched into a mass of people all herding towards the Piazza San Marcos down a tiny Venice alley.  All of a sudden two little girls dressed up in costume behind us started belting out some kind of folk song in adorable Italian at the top of their lungs.  It was so freaking cute that I didn't mind the fact that I felt like a cow being herded towards the slaughterhouse.  

Lesson #5:  Don't attend Venice Carnival if you are claustrophobic, a germaphobe, afraid of crowds, or if you are afraid of clowns or various other costumes...