How I Prepared for My Adventure Abroad in Vienna, Austria

Studying abroad is something I've been looking forward to for a long time, and now that it’s actually happening, I’m doing everything I can to make sure I’m prepared. It can feel really overwhelming at the start! How do I prepare? What should I plan? What documents do I need? Luckily, with a little research and the help of the IES Abroad calendar, I was able to get a clear picture of what needed to be done. From paperwork to deep dives into Austrian culture, here’s a look at how I’m getting ready for this new chapter abroad!

Tip #1: Organize, Organize, Organize!

It’s definitely stressful to see everything on the to-do list, book your flights, get the visa, figure out classes, choose housing. The best way I’ve managed to not get overwhelmed is by organizing all of my thoughts. Using the list of due dates from my IES Abroad portal and my home school’s website, I created a detailed to-do list and ordered all the tasks by deadline. This helped me keep track of everything and ensured I didn’t miss anything important!

Another way I’ve stayed on top of things is by creating a calendar on Google Drive. It lets me see every day of the program, and once abroad, I’ll use it to plan travel, mark assignment deadlines, and track class field trips (shoutout to my friend Talin who is doing IES Granada for that tip!). Using different colors to highlight important dates makes the whole thing feel a lot more manageable and doable.

Bonus: Share your calendar with your friends so you can keep up with each other’s adventures abroad!              

Tip #2: The Documents

Probably the hardest part of my pre-departure preparations was handling the visa requirements. Making sure I had the most up-to-date information and gathering all the necessary paperwork was definitely a bit stressful.

One of the most important things is to make sure your passport is up to date! It can’t expire within six months of your return date. If you catch this early, it’s no big deal, but I’ve known people who waited until the last minute and ended up in a stressful situation.

Austria requires a visa for students staying longer than 90 days, but thankfully, the consulate is pretty friendly and easier to work with than some others. Still, the scariest part of the process was silently sitting in the VFS Global Office in L.A. while they processed my application.

I triple-checked all my paperwork, proof of financial means, driver’s license, passport photo, flight info, with my school’s study abroad office. I also called my IES Abroad advisor (shoutout to Sabrina!) to review the application with her, just to be safe.

But not everything went smoothly. After my consulate appointment, I got an email saying my flight itinerary draft wasn’t sufficient and I had five business days to fix it. Pro tip: Make sure your flight dates match the exact start and end dates of your program, not a day or two later! Luckily, it was a quick fix. I updated the itinerary and emailed it back, I didn’t even have to go back to the VFS Office!

Two weeks later, my passport arrived in the mail with a shiny new Schengen Student Visa inside!

Tip #3: Health and Medications

As a student with Crohn’s Disease, preparing medically was a top priority for me. I worked closely with both the IES Abroad office and my home school to ensure I could bring my medication and receive proper accommodations if needed. I also created a checklist of doctors’ notes, prescriptions, and medical documents to take with me.

It’s incredibly helpful to communicate your study abroad plans with your doctor well in advance. Mine has worked hard to remove any potential barriers and make sure my medications will be ready to bring with me when August rolls around. It’s been a huge relief knowing that Vienna has an excellent healthcare system and that I’m heading into the semester with a solid plan in place.

Tip #4: HAVE FUN!

While the logistics can feel overwhelming, it’s so important to remember why you’re choosing to study abroad in the first place! I’ve loved researching Vienna and making fun plans for my time there. From operas to formal balls, the city seems like the perfect blend of culture, history, and charm. I’ve been learning a lot about its music scene, vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and historical landmarks.

I’ve also started following local Instagram accounts and travel blogs to get a feel for daily life in Vienna (and get some outfit inspiration). Since Vienna is right in the heart of Europe, I’m excited to take weekend trips to neighboring countries and experience as much as I can. Preparing to study abroad can feel like a lot, but every step brings me closer to the experience I’ve been looking forward to for years. I’ve been writing goals for my semester abroad, creating “Vienna Bucket Lists” and figuring out the areas where I can push myself out of my comfort zone. I know there will be language barriers, culture shock, and moments of homesickness but I also know those challenges will lead to the most personal growth.