Written by: Annamarie Kushnir | Spring 2024
ISEP Exchange: Johannes Kepler Universität, Linz, Austria
Servus!
Renowned as the birthplace of classical musical legends such as Mozart and Wolfgang, the origin of Redbull, and the notorious wiener schnitzel dish, Austria became my home for five months. After the previous restless semester of my junior year, I was exhilarated to pack my bags and move 4,651 miles to Austria’s third most-populated city, Linz. Austria seemed to have everything I desired: music, nature, café culture, and fashion. Friendship, however, would be a challenge to tackle on my own.
As someone who didn’t normally step away from their comfort zone, the sea of strangers made me anxious, however, I decided to finally break the barrier of unfamiliarity and forge new acquaintances with my fellow peers (as well as some furry friends), which turned out to be one of the best decisions I made during my study abroad experience. I connected with individuals from every corner of the globe (literally!), such as Kenya, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, India, Italy, and more. As someone who expresses a significant interest in cultural and historical studies, meeting people from various backgrounds fascinated me. I still remember the deep, late-night communal kitchen conversations with friends, reminiscing about our hometowns, while indulging in a steaming cup of authentic Pakistani chai tea. My advice? For many individuals, studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering much more than travel. It is a wonderful opportunity to create meaningful global connections and acquire variance in perspective, sculpted by regional and cultural differences. Looking back, there were instances when I found myself preoccupied with how individuals perceived me, whether that be from my actions or attire, but one must always remember that true friendship prevails over judgment.
While in Austria, I discovered that the country’s lively outdoor culture facilitated personal connection and eased the awkwardness that typically arises from introductory, surface-level conversations. During the day, endless rows of stores offer various opportunities for shopping (and discovering one of the best ice cream places!). One can see the Alps tower over the Austrian landscape in just a thirty-minute tram ride, which is ideal for ski trips and mountain getaways. In the nighttime, cafés bustle with energy as people enjoy their evening meals. There are always fun activities to plan here!
While making new, international friends is an exciting experience and an important component during one’s time abroad, one must not forget to give oneself time to adapt and slowly integrate. So remember to take your time and get well-adjusted.
That being said, I am very grateful for the friendships I’ve made along this journey. It taught me that even though we live in a polarized world, human connectedness interlaces people from diverse backgrounds to create unique relationships. While I’ve only lived in Austria for two months, I’m eager to see what other opportunities await and people to meet!
As the Austrians would say,
Tschüss!