Austria: Lillian Herling
Program: IES Vienna Music, Year
Lillian’s Major: Community & Environmental Sociology
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
My go-to order for traditional Austrian food is Käsespätzle, a dish with egg noodles, cheese, and onions. I am excited to try cooking this specialty on my own at home! Something else I hope to take with me is the park culture. While this is not necessarily unique to Austria, living in Vienna helped me gain a new appreciation for spending time outside, soaking up the sun and sharing space with other people in the community.
Through my experience abroad, I gained a clearer picture of which career paths align well with my academic strengths, as well as the interests I am most passionate about. My internship supervisor was very supportive, helping me cultivate valuable professional skills that will serve me well in any career field.
Describe your internship, research, or fieldwork and how the experience helped advance your career or studies.
As part of a public service internship arranged by my program, I had the opportunity to work with a non-governmental organization focused on environmental policy and advocacy within the European Union. This really expanded my knowledge of international institutions and I was able to learn about how different countries are responding to sustainability challenges. It was also interesting to experience the daily functions of an international organization, especially in comparison to the community-based groups I participate in at UW-Madison. As a world language certificate student, I appreciated the chance to practice my German outside of the classroom.
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
Perhaps most memorable is the time I spent participating in a local choir. It was a great opportunity to immerse myself in music, a defining aspect of Vienna, and I really enjoyed getting to know the other singers. Our biggest performance of the year took place at the “Musikverein”, a famous music hall in the city. I had attended concerts there as an audience member, so it was surreal to find myself stepping through the performer entrance, and to be admiring the beautiful music hall from on stage. The rehearsals leading up to performance day were difficult, as it was a challenging piece, but the smile on our conductor’s face after the final note was worth it. I will treasure the moment for years to come!
How did your identities impact your experience? What advice would you give to students with similar identities who are considering a similar experience?
I identify as a lower-income student, so studying abroad was always a question of whether I could afford the expenses. To any students also facing this concern, remember that you are not alone! I met with financial aid and program advisors at the study abroad office multiple times throughout my application process and everyone was super helpful: recommending specific scholarships to apply for, guiding me through program cost comparisons, and explaining other funding options.