Foreigners

Do we really stand out that much? Do we have foreigner written across our foreheads? Or maybe they just are all starers here? Yes yes that has to be it lol. Everywhere we foreign students go we get stared at by everyone, whether we have spoken English yet or not, they are already staring. And not like your normal stare back home that when you turn, the person staring looks the other way in an embarrassed state. No, here they just keep staring at you making you feel completely uncomfortable and making you the embarrassed person trying to look away quickly lol. This is just one of the many funny yet uncomfortable daily occurances. Even riding of the train to school, alone, not having spoken any English or even spoken for that matter and people stare! I think Ikea was the best though; an old lady standing 2 feet away from Kerstin just staring at her and wouldn't stop lol.

School has started and not yet sure how I feel about my Risk and Financial Management Masters course; only had one class so far but I am also the "foreigner" in that class. To the point that a student asked what they were suppost to do with the new people for groups lol; wow, very funny and embarrassing having them single me out. Should be a challenging yet interesting course; thankfully it's in English otherwise I wouldn't even try and complete that course. Beginner German class has actually been a blast! From one week being the worst at pronunciation, to being told the next week I sound German when I was sick, to Kerstin having the teacher crying in laughter, and to the teacher giving me a picture of Daniel Craig cause she found out how much I love Bond; it's been a great time :)!

Wondering around this beautiful city with fellow exchangies has been interesting and eventful. I even get to practice my french with the frenchmen while listening to people speaking English, Czech, German, Finnish and Spanish just to name a few. I love all the new culture and customs I get to experience from not only living in a different country but by being surrounded by so many amazing people from all over the world! Did you know that in Finnish there isn't a word for please? Us polite Canadian's couldn't believe it lol.

In two weeks we are all heading to Prague for our first trip together. Prague is my favourite city by far in the world. I can not wait to go back! We head in Munich in May together and Croatia in June. Meanwhile, I am planning a trip to see the one and only Matt Cosar in Amsterdam and just planned a trip to Budapest. Easter break we are hoping for Italy but we will see :).

Here I have a weird obsession with taking picture of all the food I cook lol. I think it is because here I actually have time to cook and not be rushed out the door. Most of my courses are night courses, leaving me plenty of time to cook my favourite meal, BREAKFAST! I think everyone back home and here knows how much I love breakfast. I have already made hashbrowns from scratch 3 times and this morning made the hugest omelette that I made Julie (Canada) and Cherryl (Holland) come eat it with me :) and still had left overs. They didn't mind joining me though.

Loves <3

The beginning

This first week has been a worldwind of new people, new culture, and new emotions. The people I have met so far are incredible. Most have been other exchange students from all over the world, who have welcomed me as family :). We have created our own little families here together to give us a home-y feel. Such amazing people that I am excited to create adventures with.

Living in dorms is new to me. When I got in the first night, I knew I would be waking up to a new roommate that I have never met before, it was thrilling yet made me semi nervous. Waking up and meeting her though I realized I had nothing to worry about at all. She is amazing :) a true gem. Her name is Seda and is from Turkey. She took me all around Vienna the first couple days and introduced me to her friends.

On Monday came the first day of orientation. This is where I got to meet everyone and find out about my program in school. Lola also arrived on Monday and spent a week with me adventuring around Vienna <3.

Tuesday, we spent the entire day learning about Vienna, Austria, their culture and their regions. Afterwards, they taught us how to Waltz- Austrian style! My dance partner was the one and only Kerstin, from Las Vegas but goes to school in Hawaii. We drank enough sparkling wine to loosen us up; let's just say we finally figured out how to dance it properly by the end... with some help of course.

All and all the first week was jammed packed but has felt so long at the same time. From visiting Kahlenberg, Schonbrunn Palace, seeing David Hasselhoff, German class, sick in bed for two days, cooking with Romanians, Lola for four days, Austria day, Hundertwasserhaus, Traditional Austrian dinner, dancing and Valentine's day alone- let's just say its been full :).

Soon, I know my trip will start to fly by and before I know it I will be home. I am excited to see what Vienna has in store for me and Europe for that matter but I am also excited to see you all again!!

Gute nacht <3