Autumn Update

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post and I had intended the next one to be detailing some Austrian/Viennese quirks I’ve observed, but I believe that will have to wait. Now it’s almost the end of October, the clocks have changed, the darkness is setting in, winter is looming and this month

Picture: The Autumn view over Vienna from Kahlenberg.

has flown in! 

This is the first time ever that my parents are dealing with an empty nest – now both my brothers and I have all flown the nest; flown rather far in fact. I’m the only one remaining in Europe. It’s weird to think that next time I’ll be home neither of my brothers will be there. Still, this makes for interesting conversations with them now that we can share travel stories!

Between my days in the school, my German course, tandem meetings, tutoring and my actual, social life, it’s not really surprising that October seems to have flown by so quickly! I have had a few hiccups with the school regarding the contrasting expectations of my mentor and the school, and I have found the situation rather complicated and confusing. I won’t go into details but, briefly-speaking, it complicates matters that the Comenius application was made on behalf of the school by a parent. As a result, an agreement was made between the parent and the school that half of my Comenius hours would be spent in the class of the daughter of the parent. It is confusing for me as I get the impression that the school are indifferent with regard to my presence there and have just accepted it as a compromise with this particular parent.

Picture: Enjoying time outside of school!

After a Comenius Induction Meeting this week at the Austrian National Agency, I realised while listening to the experiences of other Comenius Assistants and mentors, that my situation is not normal. I came away with the energy and optimism to improve it. I have ideas and if the teachers manage to find time to discuss them with me, I hope I will have a chance to implement them. At the moment, time is not in my favour but with any luck, I will find a way.

However, I have established that the school is not my priority for my time as a Comenius Assistant. Since I have already trained as a teacher, much of the experience in the school is not shockingly new for me. Rather, I find the language is the main priority here. That, as well as culture and travel. And of course addressing something of a crossroads in my career: to teach or not to teach – that is the question. A question I have not yet found the answer to.

Picture: Venue of World Press Photo.

 In the meantime, I have been enjoying the endless possibilities of Vienna by exploring the vineyards of Kahlenberg; admiring the night view of the city from the 12^th floor of the hospital (an unexpected treat!); availing of Thomas’s idea to check out the World Press Photo 2013 exhibition with the prize-winning journalist photos of the year (the first prize picture taken in Syria); as well as

Picture: Belvedere Palace and beyond with Laura.

wandering the streets of the city centre, the gardens of Belvedere Palace and taking advantage of a weekend-only offer of free entrance to the Belvedere Winter Palace. Vienna sometimes oozes extravagance but with an aura of antiquity from a joined history with Hungary.

Speaking of Hungary, it has also been great to catch up with my au pair family this month – once

Picture: With two thirds of my au pair family in Laxenburg.

for Hanga’s birthday, she turned 4, and once for a spontaneous meeting in Laxenburg. I never even knew Laxenburg existed until I jumped at the opportunity to meet them there, 45 minutes after receiving a call about it. It is a beautiful place, just south of Vienna with stunning gardens and an impressive castle. I hope I can return again, perhaps in the spring and really spend a whole day there.

Now I have just returned to Vienna after spending a long weekend back in Finland. I had already planned prior to my acceptance for Comenius to return to Finland for the Turku Open 2013 debating tournament, as a member of the organising committee. First, I flew to Helsinki and spent a magical evening catching up with my gorgeous friend Eni, treating ourselves to some delicious cakes from

Picture: Heavenly cake treats.

a top patisserie where Eni is training to become a chef. That’s a lifestyle I could get used to!

After that, two days where spent in Turku for the tournament – two crazy days when things didn’t really go to plan but we rolled with it anyway! I was so glad to also have Thomas there as he has the incredible ability to remain calm in otherwise stressful situations. It was a short time to spend in Turku, and jam-packed with activity without much time to devote to those I really wanted to see, but it was absolutely worth it. It was like I had never been

away and confirms in my heart and mind that I definitely made the right decision to study my Master’s there, judging by the amazing people I met during that time.

 

The last full day was spent back in Helsinki for Thomas’s birthday and it was just the kind of day we needed. Time to be together and relax. And finally, to take advantage of the best part of Finnish culture that we miss the most – sauna! How I will make it through the Austrian winter without this, I have no idea. The Finns know how to cope with winter and I maintain that the day I have my own place, it is certain that it has to have a sauna. That's it for now - I hope in the next post I can reflect on those promised Austrian/Viennese quirks!