Vienna has also proved very easy to navigate and very safe (at least where I've been). I have walked around and ridden the Ubahn by myself and have felt very competent and safe.
The classes here are much more grammar heavy than the most of the classes that I have taken recently at VCU and I'm quickly realizing that I have a lot to learn. Most of my upper level German classes at VCU focused on history and literature. This has left holes in my vocabulary, including where practical vocabulary is concerned. I think I mentioned this in my previous post, but it's humbling to have sixteen year olds in my class speaking at the same level that I do. Our teacher is very engaging and mixes a lot of conversation in with grammar lessons, which I appreciate. Our homework is also much lighter than homework I have had in German classes at VCU.
It's intriguing discussing social and political topics or symbols in a class full of international students. Opinions invariably take an unexpected turn or I am offered a historical or social perspective that I never would have considered. I love discussing American culture with other students and verifying or disproving stereotypes. It's interesting hearing an outside perspective on my culture and country. Some students speak a lot in class, but there are a few who rarely speak at all. There are no other university students in class aside from me, only high school students or professionals.
As of yet, I haven't experienced any culture shock. I love experiencing new things, I'm fairly relaxed, and I've been too busy enjoying all the art, architecture, and food to feel homesick. I may be ready to go home in a few weeks, but we'll see.
Our neighborhood is very interesting. Some of the apartments seem nice, while others, on the same block, appear a little worn. The biggest shock to me about the neighborhood has been the number of prostitutes and, I'm not sure the correct term for these, the hooker bars? Stripper bars? Lady bars? Whatever they're called, I'm not going to tell my parents about them until I get home (they would be very worried). It's funny walking to class in the morning and seeing laundry drying outside these bars.
I like that there are a lot of restaurants and trees around our dorm and I always laugh a little when I'm falling asleep and I hear American music from some of the rides at the Prater. This may sound weird, but I also like that I can people watch from my apartment. All the buildings are very close together and I like to watch people who sit by their windows or out on balconies.
Unfortunately, because I left my computer at home, most of my pictures are stuck on my camera. However, I think this picture of my coffee the other day sums up my mood pretty well. It's delicious, a little familiar, a little foreign, and very relaxing. I've felt very calm since getting here and one of the things I love is sitting at a cafe, drinking the kind if coffee that puts America to shame, and people watching. I honestly don't know how I'll go back to drinking American coffee after this. My first week has been great, even though I filled up the memory card on my camera, and I can't wait to see what I learn during the rest of my time here.
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