Study Abroad Blog | Blogging From Abroad

1 Dec

Weekend of Fun

Spanish Riding School
As an Agricultural major, I figured that since I am in Vienna it would be a shame for me to not go to the Famous Spanish Riding School. So my fellow colleague, Abbie Green (A Horse Science Major from England) went to a show at the Spanish Riding School. The Lipizzan horses are a breed of horses that start out black in color. Then as they age, they transition to a bright white. They are very beautiful animals that can do some very interesting tricks- for lack of a better word. Abbie and I were on the 2nd level looking down. The show was very well choreographed. At the end of a 2 hour show there were still spots in the arena that had never been touched. Alas, we were not allowed to take pictures during the show, but I did get some pictures of the beautiful riding hall.

Mauthausen
On Saturday morning, I traveled with the Erasmus Student Network to a place outside of Linz, Österreich. Mauthausen, is a town that was a former Nazi concentration camp from 1938-1945. Most of the concentration camps in Europe have been destroyed, but Mauthausen is well preserved as a memorial for those who suffered in the concentration camps. It was quite heart wrenching experience seeing photos, memorabilia, and listening to stories by our guide. I walked through the small bunkers that thousands of people where put in, the gas chambers, showers, and incinerators that were all used during WWII.

Nussknacker Ballet
Sunday, after the quieting trip to Mauthausen, I enjoyed a ballet with my some friends from my church here. Again I was not able to take photos during the Ballet, but I took several mental pictures. I have determined that “The Nut Cracker” is one of those things that everyone knows, but doesn’t know. We have all heard of it, but most people can’t tell you the entire story line. So of the fifteen people that were there with me- none of them could give me a definitive answer as to what The Nutt Cracker was about- we made some good assumptions though. So I watched the ballet without prior knowledge, but I enjoyed it none the less. We were in standing because that was the cheapest, only €1.50!! Standing room was at the very top and it was good because I could see all the choreographed patterns and color coordination. Thankfully, I was able to sit on the steps for a good portion of the show. Otherwise, I don’t think I could have stood for 2 hours. I love that there is so much to do in one city.

Skating
I can do it?
One of the unique things about being an international student is that you are not bound to a tight schedule. It is a lot like being a kid again, because you are in an environment where new to all of it. It has been interested for me to go from a very structured and busy life in the States- to a life where I wake up in the morning and don’t have a set schedule of what must get done for the day. A classic example of this occurred the Monday following my fun filled weekend. I went to class from 9-11am and afterwards I meet up with my fellow native speakers Jess & Abbie. We went to do some shopping and then just decided to go ice skating. I have only been skating one time in my life (about a year ago) and that required about 5 people to help me. I told Abbie and Jess that I couldn’t skate on my own and I don’t think they realized the severity of my statement until we got on the ice.