Two weeks in.. and loving the city

I've been in Vienna for two weeks now and beginning to make this my new home for the next four months. Some days it's so surreal to me that I live here, having Lauren with me has made a big difference. It's not like going to any other college or university for the first time. I find it much harder to meet people, mostly because of the language barrier, but also because of how different the system here is for taking classes. The classes here are very different; The exchange students are placed in regular classes with many of the Austrian locals. This makes it odd as some of their english is not very good and they have to ask the professor to explain what he/she is saying in German to them. When they put you into groups they all start speaking German to one another! It's just something to get used to.. I am very excited for our German Language course to start so that I can start understanding more what people say!

During a student orientation last week we had a chance to meet a lot of the other exchange students. We were surprised to see that we were the only people from Canada, and their are only a few of us from outside of Europe. It's been so great getting to other people and finding more about their families and cultures. Everyone has a story.. and I love stories :)

It is so cold here right now and snowing everyday. The wind reminds me of living in Lethbridge it's so bad! I think once it warms up it will be a lot more fun to go out and explore the city. Getting lost is always fun.. but getting lost in the cold is miserable! We visited the History Museum this week which was lots of fun. We have plans to go see the Imperial Palace tomorrow which I am very excited about. Their are so many wonderful aspects to this city and so much to see and do. I can't wait for it to get warm! This Saturday Lauren and I have tickets to go see the Ballet at the Opera House, which is absolutly beautiful. I will be sure to post pictures as soon as I take them.

We had our first taste of the night life here in Vienna last weekend. Their is a popular place called the Bermuda Triangle which is basically a bunch of bars side by side shaped into a triangle. There is no cover at any of the bars and never a line. It's honestly like making your own pub crawl. Their are people everywhere! We have made some great friends from Australia that joined us that night and it was the most fun I've had in a really long time. Taking the bus home was an adventure and we were so happy to have some friends with us. (don't worry mom and dad.. it was safe :)

I talked to my brother today for the first time in a while; He made me realize what an amazing experience this will be for me. I am so greatful to have had this opportunity and plan to take it all in.

I'm adding some pictures of our hostel, touring the city and a few from the weekend..