Sprichst du Deutsch? German 101 so far!

Upon exiting the Vienna airport for the first time, I found myself having to navigate a city where everything—from street signs to menus—was in a language that I did not speak. At the time, I could barely say hello in German (it’s just "hallo"), let alone communicate directions to my Uber driver. What had I expected? I had consciously decided to study abroad in a German-speaking country. If, like me, you’ve had no exposure to German, I'm here to remind you that you shouldn't let this deter you from studying abroad in Austria.

 As a native Urdu and fluent English speaker, I had my fair share of concerns regarding learning a language completely alien to me. Here’s what I wish I had known sooner in the application process: 

The IES German Requirement  

Every student at IES Vienna must be enrolled in a German language class. Before your program formally begins, you'll be asked to take a language proficiency test that will decide what level of German you’ll be placed in during your time in Vienna. Given that I had no prior experience, I simply self-selected the option to be placed in 101: “German Language in Context: Novice Abroad.”

Whether or not it seems like it initially, the German requirement is truly one of the best aspects of IES Vienna! There's no better way to integrate into a new culture than learning the language. And if you’re feeling apprehensive about it, it might be helpful to remember that a good chunk (if not the majority) of students will be placed in German 101! 

Beyond the classroom, German 101 also has a practical learning element to it. On multiple occasions, my professor has taken our class of 12 out for sweet treats. This pushed us out of our comfort zones and we were able to practice communicating our orders in German—all the while trying delicious local dishes like kaiserschmarrn!

German Intensive Week 

The first two weeks of classes at IES Vienna are solely for diving deep into the German language. You’ll get the chance to start learning the language from scratch in a small group setting (ideal for developing a strong connection with your teacher). Putting in these extra hours early on in the semester tremendously helped me adapt to the Viennese lifestyle! Most likely, you’ll be able to navigate directions, place orders in restaurants, and learn some basic Viennese slang before the end of the two-week intensive. 

Most (if Not All) Locals Speak English 

Studying abroad in Austria is undoubtedly a great way for German speakers to hone their language skills. But it’s also just as much of a great location for non-German speakers. Being the cultural melting pot that it is, Austrians in bigger cities like Vienna tend to have a strong grasp of the English language. You needn’t worry much about getting your message across when communicating with service providers, for instance. 

I’ve always found locals to be receptive and patient with me when I’ve put my German skills to the test at restaurants or cafes. I do not doubt that German native speakers can sense the foreigner in me as soon as I say hallo. But do they humor me nonetheless and allow the conversation to continue to flow in German? Always! Little did I know that the foreignness of German would so quickly be replaced by a warm familiarity.