I was there on business for a few days July 2004. Vienna made a good first impression on me. A grand city with expansive gardens and parks, wonderful architecture, lots to see and do. Having just been in Switzerland the previous week, I was immediately impressed that costs in Vienna were much lower—for transport, lodging, food, clothes and shoes, etc. (but Switzerland is notoriously expensive for travellers). I want to go back to Vienna when I have more time.

Wonderful parks and museums like Don said.

Dont think about it in the terms of just Vienna. Not only is the beauty of Austria basically unparallelled IMO but you are a gateway from Western to Eastern Europe. You are close enough to explore all of Austria, Southern Germany, Northeast Italy, South Czech, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, South Poland. Its all there for you.

I guess a lot of places are appealing if you think in these terms, but thats the truth. Plus, I’d like to base myself out of Vienna moreso than further east. You get all the necessities of the west but are right there to see whats what in the east.

If its Vienna or staying home – Go to Vienna. If you have several other choices, list them and we’ll give you opinions on where it would be the coolest to choose.

Basically the story is – i am a marine biology student who was planning to study abroad in latin america for one semester. However, i love europe, art, am addicted to travel, etc. and this opportunity for the YEAR came up – either in Tuebingen germny or Vienna. I was in europe 2mo this summer, one of which was spent in Tuebingen (small town south of Stuttgart). I realized that i love large cosmopolitan cities and while tuebingen is charming don’t know i would want to live in a small town for a year. there will be a two month break (Feb/Mar) that i could use to travel, which is essentially my main reason to go – like, when will i ever have an opportunity like that?!? the thing is though the five months before and after that period, when i will be living in vienna, which is why i am asking about vienna.
i guess i’m also a little scared of dropping my specific course of study for a year of indulging the travel bug. so, sorry if this is rambling I’m just trying to figure out what to do with myself.

quote:
Basically the story is – i am a marine biology student who was planning to study abroad in latin america for one semester. However, i love europe, art, am addicted to travel, etc. and this opportunity for the YEAR came up – either in Tuebingen germny or Vienna. I was in europe 2mo this summer, one of which was spent in Tuebingen (small town south of Stuttgart). I realized that i love large cosmopolitan cities and while tuebingen is charming don’t know i would want to live in a small town for a year. there will be a two month break (Feb/Mar) that i could use to travel, which is essentially my main reason to go – like, when will i ever have an opportunity like that?!? the thing is though the five months before and after that period, when i will be living in vienna, which is why i am asking about vienna.
i guess i’m also a little scared of dropping my specific course of study for a year of indulging the travel bug. so, sorry if this is rambling I’m just trying to figure out what to do with myself.

Well Vienna will be plenty more lively than Tuebingen. Its a very interesting city. Its not all Sound of Music like Salzberg nor does it have the Alpen charm of Innsbruck. What it does have is culture. Loads of it. Museums galore. Its a city of 2 colliding worlds IMO. The sophistication of old western europe with the somewhat more mirky east. In other words you can sense that you are slowly entering a diametrically opposed landscape a couple hours east.

Its also very historic. You can walk around the greens where Beethoven used to go and meditate. Hitler lived there as a teen/20’s and transitioned himself to what he would become there in those neighborhoods. St. Stephens cathedral is exceptional. The parks, huge ferris wheel, etc.

The food I thought was high quality. Better goulash than you can find anywhere in europe. The coffee was truly excellent and lived upto expectation. Desserts were good too. I have to mention the Doner Kebabs! They had nice open air markets that were huge and had all kinds of fruits and vegetables readily available at good prices.

The tram is effectice and fairly cheap.

The music scene is cool. Aside from the techno stuff thats everywhere, they have a lot of cool little rock bands that have raw flairs to them. Raw punk reminiscent of early Pixies. Finding good music in general is easy. Thats aside from the splendid Opera House and Choir.

You only live once. I’d go if I were you. That 2 months they are giving you to travel is awesome. You could see virtually whatever you want in Europe at that time. You will learn so much and meet so many cool people. I’d imagine the beginning may be tough, but after that I’m sure you’ll absolutely love it.

In due time you’ll graduate and get a job – At that point it will be decidedly more difficult to have experiences like this. You’ll come back feeling so much more complete… if that makes any sense to you.

Carpe Diem.

Oh, i wouldn’t worry about vienna. You’ll never get bored, and even if you do, you could always take a weekend trip to germany or slovakia or some place like that around vienna. It’s a very stately city with a wealth of architectural gems and museums and cafes, etc. Cool place to chill for a year, if you ask me.

I was only in Vienna a short time but I found myself liking it despite myself. The feel reminded me a bit of Paris. Vienna is a city of classical music, beautiful gardens and architecture. And of course, great schanpps.

But I say I liked it despite myself because I hadn’t expected to be able to like Vienna, given its history. And indeed, Vienna is a city that likes to try to forget its recent past. There’s only one war memorial in the entire city, dedicated to all wars. I felt funny being Jewish in Vienna. There’s something deliberate about how thoroughly Vienna seems to be in denial about the twentieth century. It’s disconcerting.

Aside from that, though, I have to admit I loved it. Like others said, the surrounding areas are gorgeous as well.

Yes, please do go and live one year in europe. you have no idea how many people would love to have such an opportunity as this. You have the rest of your life to concentrate on marine biology and such.

Trust me, you should take advantage of this chance, while you’re still young and able to do it. Experiencing another culture and seeing new lands will expand your mind, ways of thinking, and appreciation of life in general. Go and have an awesome year abroad! Greg

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities I visited in Europe.

Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate all the advice, it has really helped me out.