I’ve been in Vienna for roughly a week now, and so far, everything is going well. This is the biggest city I’ve ever lived in for an extended period of time. Needless to say, it has been overwhelming at times, especially since I have lived in a suburb my entire life. The sheer number of people and buildings is exciting, but also tricky to navigate at times. I’ve found it best to find a historical sight, and use it as a point of reference.

Saint Stephan’s Cathedra, located near the center of Vienna, l has helped me regain my sense of direction at least three times in the last week. On Wednesday, after a particularly long solo excursion, I found myself kilometers away from the nearest subway station with a dead cell phone (thanks Pokémon GO). I decided my best bet was to walk until I could see the church, knowing I could probably find the right train in that general area. Thankfully, my plan worked, and I made it back to my apartment before it got dark.

Vienna’s subway system was initially a daunting challenge as well. We don’t even have a municipal bus system back home, so the intricate network of trains was naturally intimidating. I quickly realized the fastest way to familiarize one’s self with the subway was to just hop on, and ride it. By Friday, I had figured out the intersections of the other lines with the U2 (the train that I need to get home), and my trepidation has since subsided. The subway has become the foundation of my day almost by necessity, but it makes the adjustment to my new urban environment that much easier.

I’ve settled into a routine, more or less. I was once told that Europeans were much more lax with schooling than we are in the U.S. Most days, my classes are finished by noon, and I have the entire afternoon free. I guess it’s less of a routine, and more of me exploring the city after class. I have yet to do any of the typical touristy things that Vienna has to offer. I will probably start visiting those destinations this week. Most of my time has been spent wandering aimlessly through the streets of Vienna, eventually happening upon a café or park, and people watching.

Vienna is far from the typical Germanic (in-heritage – I am aware it’s in Austria) metropolis that I expected. The city is very much a crossroads between other countries. While I have been hearing a lot of German spoken on the streets and in the subways, it is not uncommon for me hear Italian, Chinese, or Arabic on any given day. People from all over the world have flocked to this city, and I believe that’s what lends to some of its charm. Vienna is clearly one of the great historical cities of Europe, but it’s current history is linked to all parts of the world. That is the most exciting thing I have noticed so far.