Hey guys! I’m officially halfway through this amazing program in Graz and I have loved every second of it!
Throughout these past two weeks, I have learned a lot of valuable lessons in regards to healthcare and the history of Austria. I have also had immense self-growth and learned how to be independent in a unfamiliar country. I have met friends, locals, and seen breathtaking sights that I know I will carry with me forever.
Our first week was packed with lectures and many tours. We kicked off with a citywide tour that was full of history and observing the lifestyle of the people in Graz. It was very different than my hometown in New Jersey, with people mostly using public transportation, bicycles, and walking instead of using cars. There were many small shops instead of large chains and restaurants instead of fast food restaurants. In addition, people seemed to be on a later work schedule than people in my hometown, with people starting to get on the tram to work around 9:30 am. We then toured the Medical University of Graz, where we learned about the way their medical school education operated and how their hospital handled their day to day operations. During the days following, we met with University of Graz students and discussed literature and the differences between our countries, which was such a great experience. In regards to healthcare, we toured geriatric care centers research centers, and a pharmacy where I learned a lot of practices that we could implement into our own healthcare system. For excursions, we went to the local opera and Piber stud farm home, home of Austrians wild horses.
The second week was a little more slow-paced, and I was able to make more observations about Graz and its citizens. The pace of life is a lot more relaxed than the one I have observed in the East coast. There are people constantly walking, biking, and exercising, especially in families and couples. The rooftops are all red, which is indidictive of the rich history of Austria’s former empire. What was hard to get used to since I spend most of my year in a bustling college city is that most stores close around 7pm and restaurants close around 9pm. In addition, the Catholic religion is prominent in the culture here, with most stores closed on Sundays and every religious holiday, even the ones the American calendar doesn’t recognize. The tours we embarked on during this week were more centered on social work and helping those in needs. We learned about different programs for refugees, homeless citizens, alcoholics, disabled citizens, and how emergency medical response is operated. I was extremely touched by the tour at the Vinzi Dorf, which is a makeshift long-term community for homeless men funded by the government and donations. It gave me a completely different perspective on how people fall into homelessness, and how it could truly happen to anyone.
Our weekends were down time to explore different cities in Europe. During weekend one, we went to Salzburg, Austria, where we did many historical tours and went took a trolley up to the top of a mountain for a breathtaking view of the Alps. Weekend two, which was our free weekend, me and some friends went to Prague in Czech Republic. This beautiful, historical city took our breath away and we got to enjoy delicious food and history while taking a break from classes.
I have already learned and done so much more than I could ever imagine. I made connections with Austrian citizens I would never otherwise interact with. I look forward to the second leg of this strip and the new experiences I will embark on in Graz and Maribor, Slovenia!
Talk soon!
Elsa Fura