The Vienna Diaries~ My First Day

I haven't written anything about my move to Vienna, apart from the odd scribble in my diary and now I find myself sat in bed at 3am wondering why...

I moved here on the 1st February and it's now the 5th March. Sheesh. Over a month and here I am, sat reflecting and writing down my thoughts.

My First Day 1/02/2018

I caught the westbound central line train bright and early from Loughton to Stratford. I remember thinking about how this is my last time in such a familiar and almost routine location for at least the next 5 months. I waited for Vinny to arrive as I had got there quite early (for once) and when we met each other he grabbed my hand luggage and one of my suitcases and off we walked to the platform. I had previously struggled with my 2 overweight suitcases and 10kg backpack so was therefore reminded of how much I will miss this ever so important man in my life.

Once I was checked in and past security and was able to sit and watch the planes taking off. I was completely alone now and I felt a little odd. I still didn't feel like I was moving countries. I had packed, said my goodbyes and I was then waiting for my flight to be called in this tiny duty-free airport, yet I still did not understand why I felt so calm. Possibly I was just exhausted as I only had around 2 hours sleep but even still. The reason I mention this slightly confusing feeling is because I still somehow feel it. I am so at home in Vienna, however, I feel like I haven't moved countries at all, but rather taken a nice, long break that keeps going on and getting better. 

I eventually boarded the plane and slept for the whole journey. I arrived in Vienna at around 3pm and decided to catch the train as I knew that a taxi would be the easy and expensive way out. I dragged my 2 suitcases down to the station and spent about 10 minutes trying to figure out which ticket was correct for where I was heading as well as why on earth google maps was telling me to leave in an hour rather than straight away. Despite the fact that I had changed the language to English on the machine it turned out to still be a struggle for my tired brain and after jabbing at the touch screen overs and overs, a ticket was spat out and I headed for the platform. I looked at the monitor and could not figure out which train was heading to my stop. Google maps was telling me to leave in an hour and it hadn't clicked that I had just forgotten to change the time on my phone (as I had taken it off automatic whilst in Morocco). I decided to take a chance and go to the platform most people were getting on- the 1st platform. It was a smart choice too as I made it safely to Traissengasse Station and was then able to complete the final leg of the journey, the 7 minute walk from the station to my new home... The Fizz. Unfortunately, it was raining fairly heavily and I arrived looking like a washed-up Londoner. 

My room was (and is still) so so beautiful. I am staying in a student dorm that is quite literally kitted out with everything. It has a music room, 2 study rooms, a cinema room, a rooftop terrace, large common area (with hammocks!), shared kitchen and dining area for everyone downstairs, kitchens and living rooms on every 2nd floor and not to mention my own room that has a private kitchenette and bathroom. We can use the amenities downstairs by popping to reception, that includes pool tables, Fussball tables, Playstations, extra beds, BBQ's and everything else you may want or require to live comfortably. Ok, so I'm done showing off and I am so happy to be here, even if it did mean I pay a little more than other students in Vienna. I am still paying less rent than I was in London for something a 20x the quality and comfort. 

I was shown to my room and after sorting out the legal bits was left to relax... or not. There was, of course, no bed linen, food, pots or pans, toilet paper or anything. My suitcase had been stuffed to the brim with clothes and shoes and so a trip to the nearest supermarket was required, but I was beginning to realise how exhausted I was. The linen-less bed looked so inviting and I didn't care too much about my hunger. I was wet, cold and tired! I eventually decided that I should just do what needs to be done now- or as much of it as I could in order to avoid more stress tomorrow. I headed to Wien Mitte, Landstrasse, a shopping centre 7 minutes away by train, in order to buy a duvet, pillow and some bed sheets. I ended up spending hours in Interspar trying to work out the measurements and find some decent food to take back. Everything felt like such an ordeal, especially when I didn't understand a word of German. I really was the ignorant foreigner that did not speak the native tongue and couldn't communicate even to ask where I could find the bread. Most people do speak English in Austria or at least Vienna so in all truthfulness it was not a huge issue, but what I struggled with was the slight embarrassment I felt when trying to be respectful and at least attempting to use my limited knowledge of German to communicate. As it was I walked around Interspar with my phone in hand and google translate bright on the screen. Such a simple and usually enjoyable process for me had turned into stress. I had to get a taxi home as my trolly was filled to the brim with shopping bags and there was no way I was catching the train again, especially in case it started to rain. I called an Uber and within 5 minutes I was picked up. The driver was super friendly and basically the third or fourth person I had had direct contact with since arriving in the new city. He did not speak a word of English and found it hilarious when I attempted to be polite and converse with him. I remember being asked questions in an Austrian German accent to which my reply would be, 'errmmm ja- Entschuldigung, I don't understand, meine Deutsch ist schlect'. The driver would throw his head back with laughter and then proceed on to asking me more Deutsch questions. When I would ask some English questions he would simply shake his head showing that he hadn't the faintest idea what I had said. The slightly strange and painful experience was eventually over and I had never been so happy to rest my head. My new bed, my new room, my new city- Vienna was my new home and all I could think about was sleep.

Peace&Love,
Willow

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I'm Moving to Vienna!

It was around two weeks ago that I found out in February 2018 I will be enrolling at the University of Vienna for their 2018 summer semester as a student of the Sociology Department!

CRAAAAZYYYY, I know!

Coming from an average working class family it is amazing that opportunities like this now exist for people like me and I am honoured to have been nominated and selected by Goldsmiths, University of London and the University of Vienna. 
The semester begins on the 1st March 2018 which as of now seems miles away, but I know once Christmas has passed it will most definitely fly by. The summer semester lasts 5 months in total as it finishes on the 30th June 2018, although I will be heading down there possibly 2 weeks to a month before hand, just to get my baring of the city.
I will be studying within the Sociology Department and all my grades will be worked out on an average of how well I perform throughout the term, which means no slacking off for me- I must stay focused (something I can struggle with). Once I am back in London for summer holidays, the transcript of all my grades will be sent back over and Goldsmiths will then do the conversion and update my file ready for my third and final year...

Things I'm nervous about:

• Despite learning German from Year 7 till Year 10, I can just about introduce myself. It is very funny actually, how life works. My classmates and I all used to complain about learning German as it was difficult and our teacher was Italian herself- not very convincing (I know we shouldn't have judged!) and now here I am struggling to find an affordable intensive German language course that will make me a native within 3 months hahaha!!!
• I mean all the worrying aspects are going to relate back to the language barrier however I'll break a few of them down. Making friends... This is worrying and although I don't find it exactly difficult to make friends, even a confident, outgoing person can feel nervous about this. I mean I could accidentally end up hanging with the wrong crowd and end up trapped in a scary situation not speaking German and not being able to escape!!! Or what if I just end up alone and lost... wandering the streets every Saturday night looking for a pal?! :(
• My course... yes, it will be taught in English (Thank Goodness as I did spend about 4 days shitting myself at the fact that I may have to do half my course in another language). Rest assured that I won't have this little stress but I have heard this particular university system (from a native Austrian) is quite rigorous and takes no prisoners! Please Goldsmiths... please have me ready for what I am about to get myself into. Even just reading the course catalogue made me realise I need to start reading like 4000 words per minute to even have a semi chance at getting a decent grade. Shize.
• Getting around... I know this will eventually come to me and it won't take too long for the penny to drop but seriously. Finding my way around Vienna will not be a walk in the park by any means. It is just one of those things I have to take in my stride.
• I know I have already mentioned my course but I have to admit the prospect of FAILING is a very big risk. It took a while for me to adjust to Goldsmiths and now I'm making myself do it all overs again in Austria?! If I do not pass the summer semester I will have to retake the whole year!!!
• My skin colour... This has been an underlining worry about the complete experience as I have heard many rumours that it can be slightly racist in Austria. Of course these are just rumours and there is only one wa to find out. It is a capital city and not a little village in the middle of the countryside so that definitely does help, however it doesn't remove the worry. There was a point when Vinny was considering moving over there with me for a few months to see what he thinks of it, but he too (as a black male of African decent) was warned that he 'won't stand a chance'. I understand people only say things like this out of concern and of course to raise caution but I've realised that if you listen to everything everyone says you will never leave your house! Many people have also old me about how I will absolutely love it and have a blast- without a mention of my brown skin! I will be regularly writing on here to keep my readers in the know about my experience as a mixed race 20 year old living in Vienna, Austria.

Things I'm excited about:

• The fact that when I get back I will speak a decent (I hope) level of German!! I've been trying to get myself to learn a second language for a very long time now but it is much easier said than done. Now I will be knees deep in the German language, yay meeeee!
• My accommodation... although it hasn't been sorted yet, I am so so excited at the prospect of having as cool little room/ apartment in a quaint capital city. I'll do it up and make it totally me as well as make sure I'm living in a great location near lots of amenities, so when people want to come visit me... I will be a stone throw away from some exciting things to do and see!
• Travelling (of course) around the whole of Austria! This is an area of the study abroad scheme that excites me the most. I will get to travel all over the country and to neighboring counties such as Italy, Switzerland, Hungry and more of course. I really also want to venture to Salzburg, Austria where the Sound of Music was filmed.... how incredible!
• Making friends... although this is a worry, it also does make me so excited at the prospect of  possibly building relationships with people that could last a lifetime! The sailing trip I ventured on was only for 2 weeks and yet I came back to two incredible friends... Giullianna and Lettie. If the same can happen over a 6 month period I will be more than overjoyed as real friends are far and few between ;).
• I am excited to learrrrrnnnnnn all about Sociology from a completely different perspective to what is taught at Goldsmiths. Although Goldsmiths is good at being very open and understanding to the fact that there are many different and contrasting interpretations of theories and theorists it will be great to see if thousands of miles away people think the same, similar or worlds apart!
• Experiencing Austrian culture including the food, attractions, music, fashion, attitude in general and nightlife woooo! I'm almost certain I will be seen as an alien, being British and all haha.
• My family and friends coming to visit me and seeing how well I'll hopefully be doing. I will get to show them around and open their worlds a little more!
• Returning home and feeling that sense of achievement. It sounds overly cringe I know but it is true. If I do this and return to tell the tale- still smiling- I will have achieved so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Hopefully making my family, friends and mumma (guardian angel) super proud of me!

I will be keeping the site updated with what happens next in my incredulous venture so stick around and check back every now and then. Oh and wish me luck in these next few hectic months of preparation!

https://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/files/2016/09/vienna-summer16-promo-mez.jpg

Peace&Love,

Willow

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My First Year of University

I go to a University notorious for 'breaking down boundaries' and 'challenging the norms'. To begin with, I felt as though my university was not as wild and out there as it was made out to be. My freshers week was a slight let down as the student union were what I feel is best described as lazy and hardly made an effort to make the first years feel super welcome. To follow, going to university in London is not like going to university in Manchester, (a university I had considered applying to). It was only until I found myself at City University, London, helping a friend out with her exam - not cheating, I was her patient in her optometry exam! - that I saw how different Goldsmiths was to the rest of them. I could walk the halls and be absolutely anyone I wanted to be. Today I could wear a beret and tomorrow I could have pink eyebrows and a shaved head, no one would bat an eyelid. I haven't come from the wealthiest of families and it is important to note that institutions such as Goldsmiths, focus on nurturing the creative minds that haven't been accepted by classic English society and I am proud to be a part of the furniture. 

Looking back, the weekend before I begin my second year, despite all of the above, I hardly turned up for class. I wish I attended every lecture and every seminar I was too lazy to roll out of bed for.  I wouldn't go in for a week and then find myself sat in a lecture about the 'Idea of Africa' or Edward Said's Orientalism, followed by an equally stimulating seminar.

I did however find it quite hard making friends during my first year, and although I became close with my flatmates, I didn't make half the effort I should have to get to know other people around campus. If I would give anyone any advice it would be to put yourself out there! I know it is easier said than done but having friends to hang with, study with or even meet up with during the break makes a world of difference. A good place to start is joining societies and unfortunately I did not in my first year but lucky for me, I have a second shot... I'm stuck between Yoga and Muay Thai, or both haha. 

One aspect of academia that I do have a large problem with and I find many BAME students also point out, is the fact that pretty much all of the important academics we study are white middle class men that apparently made some incredible discovery about life that most probably already existed in one of the many great minds from all over the world. However true this is, it just seems to get old every time a picture of a new theorist pops up on a powerpoint with a grey beard and grey skin to match. 

I almost didn't come back to second year, as I had been considering deferring for a very long time. I always seem to lack motivation when it comes to actually doing any work and on top of that studying is expensive, especially while you're trying to travel the world. I had applied for the Erasmus + scheme last minute and through the Sociology department and turns out they liked my application enough to nominate for a position at the University of Vienna. I felt very lucky and realised that if I don't give this opportunity a shot, I would most likely regret it for a long time. I should find out if I get the place within the next two weeks, however there is a chance I'm not accepted, mostly because of my attendance last year. Fingers crossed they are willing to give me a second chance. 

Anyway... here I come second year. The workload is gonna be quadruple and I am probably going to feel more lost than before.

Peace&Love
Willow

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