Salzburg Universität
For the next four months, September 1 through December 13, Salzburg will be my home while I take classes and explore Europe! This is my fourth time crossing the pond, and I couldn't be more excited to explore so many new places, as well as some familiar ones!
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The classes I will be taking include Study Abroad Seminar, Intensive German Language and Culture, Intermediate German I, Moral Philosophy, and European Politics. I hope to sneak into some of the Art History class field trips as well!
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You might be wondering how I am going to involve my music major! I will be utilizing the practice rooms at the University to prepare my repertoire for my junior recital in the spring. Salzburg is also a city of music, complete with Mozart's birthplace and sites from the filming of the Sound of Music.
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As a student at the University of Salzburg, I will be staying in a small apartment with another student from CSBSJU, and we share a kitchen with two other girls from our group. We will be making lots of food for ourselves on a stove top, so if you know any quick recipes that do not require an oven, please send them my way!
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I will also be making multiple pilgrimages during my time here: Medjugorje, the Divine Mercy Shrine, St. Mark's Bascilica, the Eucharistic Miracle in Bruges, the Infant of Prague, sites around Salzburg, and any church the Spirit calls me into are all on my list! Please pray for me!
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Contact Me:
Europa Kolleg
Robert-Preusslerstraße 28
5020 Salzburg
September 1-13
The first week here was a blast! It was so wonderful to begin to get to know the people in my group, and explore the city together! We were all a little nervous and excited, and it is very comforting to know that we are all in the same boat! We hiked the surrounding hills and had a scavenger hunt in the city! On Saturday, we took a field trip to Hellbrunn Schloss. We also went out at night to the various breweries, bars, and pubs. Our classrooms are at the top of the Universität Salzburg, and they provide spectacular views. I have to pinch myself when I look out the window! It hasn't sunk in yet that I am living here, and I'm not sure if it ever truly will because it is such an amazing experience already! Check out the food I've already had under "Eat!" and our trip to Hellbrunn under "Class Field Trips."
Views from the terrace of the University!
Salzburg Fortress and Nunnburg Abbey Untersberg
The second week here was just as great as the first, if not better! We took a tour of the city and made presentations on different sites. On Monday we visited the Festung (fortress) in the middle of the city. Wednesday we visited Mirabell Gardens and practiced our German at a local Kaffeehaus. On Thursday, our professors took us to the farmer's market where we asked vendors questions about their products. Early Friday morning, we left to hike Tappenkarsee!
Festung on Monday!
Mirabell Gardens and Kaffee!
Salzburg Farmer's Market
September 16-26
On Monday, September 16, our German professors took all of us to a factory that makes dirndls and lederhosen (traditional Austrian dress). We had a blast trying all of them on and finding the perfect dress for each of us. On Tuesday, we visited Leopoldskron, a palace south of the Salzburg Festung where many outside scenes from the Sound of Music were filmed. The gate to the lake should be familiar to you if you've seen the movie. While the ballroom in the movie was created in Hollywood, the film makers based it very closely off the the music room from the decadent palace! The palace is now the headquarters for conference that hosts seminars for scholars and experts around the world to discuss global issues in a goal-oriented environment.
Rupertikirtag!
In Salzburg every year, the city hosts a five-day festival celebrating the feast day of St. Rupert, the first archbishop of Salzburg who founded two monasteries here in the late 8th century. The festival takes places in the various squares of old town, and is filled with the smells of hot Bratwurst, cream puffs, and Sturm (new wine). I visited the fair 6 times over the course of 4 days, and thoroughly enjoyed every visit. The tents always have local musicians, and the food is absolutely out of this world. It was also a blast wearing the traditional dirndl and fitting right in!
An Unexpected Sign from God
Initially, Emily and I planned to visit Venice the weekend of November 14-17. But, as per the usual tides and the rising sea levels, Venice experienced the highest flood in 50 years. So, we decided to play it safe and spend the weekend in Salzburg. On Friday, we ate at Stiegl, the local brewery, where we enjoyed pumpkin soup (a new favorite), beer pork and potatoes, and the Salzburg Nickel dessert made out of meringue that represents the mountains. Then, we explored parts of old town we hadn't seen yet, like St. Peter's Abbey and the Panorama Museum. We ended the afternoon with a relaxing cup of Glühwein. On Saturday, we slept in, watched movies, when shopping, and had a much-needed spicy dinner at an Indian restaurant. Some of the girls went out to the club that night to enjoy each other's company. Finally, Sunday included more sleep and a trip to a traditional Chinese restaurant for dim sum (Chinese dumplings). It was a very refreshing and much-needed breather from the constant traveling!
Advent in Salzburg
After coming back to Salzburg from my last personal excursion, the Christmas markets were in full swing! Final were fast approaching, so I frequented my favorite coffee house, 220 Grad. They offered incredible tea and the best omelet I've ever had. I wrote 3 final papers and studied for my German final while sipping yummy Hieße Schoklade in the bustling shop. One day, we attended the Krampus Run, where people dress up as the ancient monster to scare away the evil spirits that come with winter. They "run" down the street and beat the evil out of the onlookers. It was actually very painful! Between study sessions and finals, we would enjoy outings to the markets where we enjoyed hot drinks, ice skating, shopping, and carols. It was such a beautiful way to enjoy our last two weeks together in our city! The last two days were beautiful! Wednesday was sunny and clear, with gorgeous views of the mountains. Thursday morning turned Salzburg into a winter wonderland. Spontaneously, we had a joyful snowball fight that reminded us of the journey we've experienced together. It was difficult to leave the place I had learned to call home, but I grew so much in ways I recognize, and in ways I will still be realizing in the years to come. I was blessed with 23 beautiful friendships and an experience I will carry with me every day.
