Page 45 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 45
iStudy
2019/20
45
A melting pot of bourgeois culture and modern
internationality, Vienna has been voted as the world’s
most liveable city an astonishing 10 times, and that’s
not without reason. It also happens to be the home of
the Viennese Waltz, and as a competitive ballroom and
Latin dancer, I couldn’t resist honing my skills in a place
so famed for its dancers. I was even inspired to write
a first-class dissertation, which explored how ballroom
dancing is intrinsic to Viennese culture.
Thanks to the Habsburgs’ penchant for the fancy and
their desire to show-off their wealth during the Austro-
Hungarian Empire, Vienna is shaped by the most
incredible architecture. Living in the city, I used to love
coming out of underground stations. As bizarre as that
may sound, every time I emerged from a different stop
I was met with a new pocket that I’d yet to discover,
and stumbling across quirky churches and lesser-
known monuments became my preferred method of
sightseeing.
As a self-confessed geek with a liking for the flexibility
of student timetables, I opted to study rather than work
or teach, taking a German-taught course in German
Philology. The University of Vienna was founded in
1364, making it the world’s oldest German-speaking
university and with almost 90,000 students, it is also
one of the biggest in Europe. Tutors had warned that
the size of the university could be overwhelming, but
I loved the rows of notable alumni busts that lined the
courtyard, and the grandeur of the Hogwarts-esque
library. The pure magic of the building coupled with
its excellent reputation made choosing to study at the
University of Vienna an easy decision.
WHY VIENNA
There is no bad time to be in Vienna, as a constant
stream of events and festivities make it a city that is
always in full bloom.
In the winter months Vienna hosts more than 20
Christmas markets, where the most imposing buildings
backdrop an assortment of festive food and trinket
vendors. Most impressive is the market in front of the
town hall, with 3,000 square metres of skating rink, and
ice paths that wind amongst the fairylight-adorned trees.
Karlskirche always struck me as Austria’s take on the Taj
Mahal, and it is best viewed with a light dusting of snow
and a Christmas market sprawled at its feet.
The true way to test any Christmas market is with your taste
buds, and giant jammy Tyrolean doughnuts, known as
Kiachl
, washed down with spicy
Glühwein
makes Karlsplatz
a winning choice in my books. When temperatures dip
below freezing, go for a
Feuerzangenbowle
, but be warned:
this drink is literally flaming hot.
During summer everything orbits around the Danube,
and a dip in the river is a cooling antidote to the scorching
August temperatures. Following the river into the city,
you’ll find its banks lined by beach bars, where you can
dance under the stars at a silent disco. Donauinselfest is
the world’s biggest open-air festival, and this free annual
event has an eclectic schedule that has featured the
likes of Shaggy and Sean Paul, as well as up-and-coming
Austrian bands. Vienna’s amusement park, Prater, also
comes to life in the summer, and a spot of bumper-karting
is the perfect prelude to a ride on the giant Ferris wheel
which makes up an iconic part of the Viennese skyline.
WHAT TO DO
2019/20
45
A melting pot of bourgeois culture and modern
internationality, Vienna has been voted as the world’s
most liveable city an astonishing 10 times, and that’s
not without reason. It also happens to be the home of
the Viennese Waltz, and as a competitive ballroom and
Latin dancer, I couldn’t resist honing my skills in a place
so famed for its dancers. I was even inspired to write
a first-class dissertation, which explored how ballroom
dancing is intrinsic to Viennese culture.
Thanks to the Habsburgs’ penchant for the fancy and
their desire to show-off their wealth during the Austro-
Hungarian Empire, Vienna is shaped by the most
incredible architecture. Living in the city, I used to love
coming out of underground stations. As bizarre as that
may sound, every time I emerged from a different stop
I was met with a new pocket that I’d yet to discover,
and stumbling across quirky churches and lesser-
known monuments became my preferred method of
sightseeing.
As a self-confessed geek with a liking for the flexibility
of student timetables, I opted to study rather than work
or teach, taking a German-taught course in German
Philology. The University of Vienna was founded in
1364, making it the world’s oldest German-speaking
university and with almost 90,000 students, it is also
one of the biggest in Europe. Tutors had warned that
the size of the university could be overwhelming, but
I loved the rows of notable alumni busts that lined the
courtyard, and the grandeur of the Hogwarts-esque
library. The pure magic of the building coupled with
its excellent reputation made choosing to study at the
University of Vienna an easy decision.
WHY VIENNA
There is no bad time to be in Vienna, as a constant
stream of events and festivities make it a city that is
always in full bloom.
In the winter months Vienna hosts more than 20
Christmas markets, where the most imposing buildings
backdrop an assortment of festive food and trinket
vendors. Most impressive is the market in front of the
town hall, with 3,000 square metres of skating rink, and
ice paths that wind amongst the fairylight-adorned trees.
Karlskirche always struck me as Austria’s take on the Taj
Mahal, and it is best viewed with a light dusting of snow
and a Christmas market sprawled at its feet.
The true way to test any Christmas market is with your taste
buds, and giant jammy Tyrolean doughnuts, known as
Kiachl
, washed down with spicy
Glühwein
makes Karlsplatz
a winning choice in my books. When temperatures dip
below freezing, go for a
Feuerzangenbowle
, but be warned:
this drink is literally flaming hot.
During summer everything orbits around the Danube,
and a dip in the river is a cooling antidote to the scorching
August temperatures. Following the river into the city,
you’ll find its banks lined by beach bars, where you can
dance under the stars at a silent disco. Donauinselfest is
the world’s biggest open-air festival, and this free annual
event has an eclectic schedule that has featured the
likes of Shaggy and Sean Paul, as well as up-and-coming
Austrian bands. Vienna’s amusement park, Prater, also
comes to life in the summer, and a spot of bumper-karting
is the perfect prelude to a ride on the giant Ferris wheel
which makes up an iconic part of the Viennese skyline.
WHAT TO DO
