"I was living in the same city and breathing the same air that Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, and Schoenberg, to name a few, lived and breathed in days gone by." Nicole Stiklestad, IES Vienna, Austria Program

On a smaller scale, while I traveled to Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, Palkau, Graz, and Admont, I was able to soak in the local cultures and history, through monuments, museums, other landmarks, and language. I learned how to communicate with others without any common language background. I learned how to deal with obstacles in a thoughtful and successful way. I learned how to appreciate the vast differences between the many cultures that I encountered.

On the large scale, living in Vienna for four months was the best decision of my life. As a music major, Vienna offered me all of the opportunities that the most influential musical city in the world could. I took voice and piano lessons from professional musicians. I lived in the city where much of the significant history of music has taken place. I was living in the same city and breathing the same air that Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, and Schoenberg, to name a few, lived and breathed in days gone by. This was an experience in itself, just knowing, understanding, feeling, and living the same situations that Viennese also have. As a student, my teachers were more than willing to share their lives, cultures, traditions, and language with all of the students at the Institute where I studied. I found that, even thousands of miles away, I had connections with people in Vienna. It shows that no matter what the differences are that one may come across, if you are willing to put yourself in the other persons' shoes, they are very interested to teach you about their lives and want to learn about yours.

Another great aspect of Vienna is that it is one of the safest European cities. This allowed me to experience the true culture without being overly concerned about my safely. I was able to experience many things in the city, walking down small streets, delving into architecture, strolling through parks, and in general, exploring the city by myself, and truly discovering the great things that it had to offer.

Study abroad changed my life because I am now more aware of how different cultures operate. I am a changed person in the way that I think, solve problems, and react to people. It was very easy for me to adopt a new way of life and discover the person that I wanted to be. It affected my education at UMM a great deal. It helped me to expand my horizons, be completely independent, take risks, and know that everything will be fine in the end. I was able to have opportunities that I otherwise would not have been able to experience. I was able to sing in a chorus for Sarah Brightman's World Tour when she visited Vienna. Through my voice teacher, I was able to make connections that I never would have been able to make before.

"I think that other UMM students should make study abroad part of their education because it is one of the most fantastic opportunities one can take. One grows because of the many instances I have already stated and becomes a better member of their school and community because of the experience." Nicole.