For Week 3, it was mostly classes and a test. For some of the activities that we did, we went to the botanical gardens, the Mosaik, and the Disability Resource Center. I was so distraught with this being the final week in Graz, but I was excited for what was to come.

Before leaving Austria for another country, we went to Vienna! I thought that Vienna was the most beautiful city with its opulent, Baroque architecture style. We went to the Hofburg palace on the first day and got some food after. We saw so many of typical tourist sites such as the Austrian National Library, the Schonbrunn Zoo, the Belvedere Palace and the Imperial Crypt. In the imperial Crypt, we saw the casket of Maria Theresa, and that one stood out to me the most because it was ginormous. It made me wonder how it was made and how long it took. I was also super interested in the Schonbrunn Zoo because it is so different than the zoos in America! The barriers of the habitats are super low, and it made me wonder how close the animals walk to the barriers. I was also in love with the authentic garments displayed in the museum! I was so fascinated by the craftsmanship, quality, fabric, and intricacies of the various outfits. It was also so cool to think that these are the same clothes that were worn hundreds of years ago. Me and a couple of girls also went to the most delicious schnitzel restaurant called Restaurant Mahlzeit that had so many variations of schnitzel. I had the Farmer’s Special that had cheese, bacon, and a garlic spread!

Finding connection in Austria with the locals came vey naturally! People were always very excited to talk to me when they realized that I was from America. Many of the conversations were filled with exchanging cultures by discussing our schooling systems, daily lives, and cuisines. I loved hearing their perspectives on the United States, and it was just as interesting to learn about Austrian customs through their own experiences. These conversation provided me with a deeper understanding of Austrian culture than I ever could’ve with traditional lecture. It was one of the most rewarding parts of my time abroad because it showed me how curiosity and open-mindedness can bridge cultural differences so effortlessly.

Then, we were off to Slovenia where we spent our last week!