What inspired you to travel abroad?
I love traveling, and I wanted to go somewhere I had never been before. It was also such a good break from the United States! I am an international student from Kigali, Rwanda; therefore, I figured traveling abroad would enrich my international and cross-cultural experience. I also wanted to take some more Psychology classes abroad, and it worked out great.
Why did you choose IES Abroad?
I am a senior at Sewanee, majoring in Psychology, so the Psychology and Social Sciences Program in Vienna was perfect. Vienna is also very centrally located which would make it easier for me to travel to different other countries. Vienna is very beautiful and the most livable city in the world, this is one of the reasons I chose Vienna specifically.
In this picture, I was at the rooftop of the Natural History Museum in Vienna, Austria.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
I loved the transportation system very much. I do love traveling, so anytime I would hop on a train to explore and see the destination it would lead me to, be it inside Vienna or outside of Vienna. Also, the people like walking, and that was very good for me because I love to walk and see people. This just made me more full of life.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I loved the fact that I was able to travel to different countries within central Europe as well. I traveled to Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Also, my classes were very nice along with awesome classmates and professors. I had roommates as well in my apartment, and they were awesome and made my days great.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The IES Abroad Vienna Team is excellent. They are very organized and take care of every person. They even knew our names even before we arrived. They provided us with external resources as well and informed us regarding free events around the city.
It was such a blessing to have them. They were very invested in our growth as we thrived.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
My time in Europe was great, and I did not like my time in Poland, but I don't think that there is anything I could have done differently. It was more on the people I was hanging out with, and it was mostly out of my control. I spent only a weekend there, so that was good! Overall, I loved my time abroad.
My picture on a trip to Styria, a trip organized by IES Vienna Staff! It was beautiful, I loved it.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would make breakfast, get ready to go to class, walk to the train station, hop on the train, and hop off after three stops. I would then walk about five minutes to my class buildings right in the center of Vienna.
I would go to a kebab with my friends. I would go to a karaoke event or something in the evening with my friends. I would eat dinner out or eat some of my own home-cooked food, then bedtime.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed traveling and going on trips. The Vienna Team had organized nice trips which I attended and those were some of my favorite times. During my spring break, I traveled to Germany and it was very nice to catch up with my friend and travel together within Germany as well. I also would go thrift-shopping in my free time abroad.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in an apartment. I loved that I had roommates, I had chosen so! I am a very social person, and it's always nice knowing there is someone else around.
The apartment was very strategically located since there was a supermarket right in our backyard! This was very convenient and our place was just awesome. I loved my roommates, and we have kept our friendships up to now!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My program has been empowering to me. I know I am capable of handling any situation. If I was able to thrive in a German speaking country while living in an apartment, what else can't I do?
Now, this might sound overconfident, but studying abroad really broadened my mind and how I see life. I gained new lenses through which I look at life and I love it.
In Graz, Austria. I loved the details in Austrian Catholic Parishes and Cathedrals!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I would tell them, don't be scared, all will be alright. You will have a great time abroad because you are in good hands. Even on the hard days when you feel homesick, you're not alone; they are beside you supporting you in any way.
So, you'll be alright and you are going to have the best time! Wishing you the best time ever!!!
Would you recommend IES Abroad to others? Why?
Yes, very much! Studying abroad will always remain one of the best decisions I have ever taken during my college career. It was an opportunity for me to learn more about myself. I am already an international student in the USA, and at first, I did not know I needed to expand my horizons by participating in the study abroad program as well.
It has been nothing short of a blessing for me. The classes were awesome, and the professors are excellent, they remain part of my connections today! My experience in Vienna has been rewarding, educational, transformative, and most of all, FUN!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
It is discovering more about oneself. I grew so much emotionally, and I am so much more independent. Also, I now have a somewhat big cross-cultural experience which helps improve my cultural intelligence.
So, traveling abroad is nothing short of enlightenment and growth in every way. It is one of the biggest gifts I keep carrying with me.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is traveling while also having open eyes, mindfully. It is more of being in the present moment and learning what it is that the world is presenting to you at the moment. It is about making connections and interacting with new people in new places of travel. It's about growing and having FUN with it.
