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From Abroad

Anyone who is planning to, is currently, or has previously studied abroad can agree that living in another country for an extended period of time can be most culturally enriching. They say that we as people, are shaped by our own experiences, or “enriched” to some extent . As Vienna has been my first opportunity to study abroad, I have been thrown in various new situations, some awkward and lots enriching. Living away from familiarity will change a person. Of course everyone is different in how they receive it.

Individuals who are, as they say, “well-traveled” can feel comfortable in a great variety of situations, even when they are not in control. For me, I consider myself a fairly well domestically traveled individual, but limited by my own enrichment of the United States. I now know nearly everything is different in some small or big way outside of the United States.

Entering into unfamiliarity is like engaging into something you have no prior knowledge of. It can be difficult what to expect, so you prepare yourself as best you can for anything based on the information you can obtain. As a newcomer to a foreign land, not knowing anyone, one particular aspect of the culture was more reassuring to my well-being than anything else. When I came to Vienna, I knew one thing well, that my duty was to actively seek cultural enrichment. The friends I have made here have not only helped me “feel” the city, but supplemented my greater goal.

I had read that Viennese hospitality is famous. Of course you read that and think, well, I wonder if it is true? Only after being served the most delicious meals, taken on exciting trips, listened to tons of recommendations, given excellent directions to locations, made aware of a great sale for trousers and generally received as an honored guest, do you realize how far hospitality or even generosity, warmth and kindness can go for a person living in unfamiliarity, it truly is most enriching.

My friends at lunch today, Doris and Hannes, yet again treating me to a delicious meal (baked Risotto, mmm, and that is apple juice we are drinking). [For the record, Hannes is one of the best young cooks I have met, it is always a pleasure to be eating or to be entertained at his place. Like all good cooks, he is perfecting the art of improvising, he is someone I look up to!]

It is people like Doris and Hannes that make my role here as a student ambassador for WVU that much easier. And for that, I hold them in the highest regard. They are coming to WVU next fall, we all need to welcome them. I only hope I can return the unforgettable favors!