Arrival in Austria

I'm here!! As I mentioned before, I stayed a few days in Switzerland before coming to Austria. I was there for the Swiss National Day and that was fun. I was staying a friend and her Dad took us to Villars-sur-Ollon to see a very Swiss parade. It started with cows and cowbells, included many people in traditional dress, musicians played alphorns, and free wine was handed out during the parade. I was able to see my host mom and the girls while staying in Lausanne too! That was one of the highlights of my time there. I was able to catch up with them and while they have changed and matured, they still have the same personalities as when I was there. I hope that I'll be able to see them more if I go back to Switzerland on holiday.

My arrival in Austria happened over the weekend and I have already accomplished a lot. I arrived on Friday and someone was there at the airport to pick me up. We went to my studio apartment to drop off my bags and then we went straight to the visa office to give them my fingerprints. In order for my visa to be issued, they need the biometric data to go with it. However, this year the visa process is taking longer than normal because of a change in government so my visa application is still at the Austrian Labor Market. But when that comes back from them it should be issued without a problem now that the local government has all of my paperwork. Your prayers would be much appreciated that the visa comes through as soon as possible since I will not receive my stipend from ICSV until I have my visa in my hand. Many other things also are dependent on having a visa such as a phone contract, internet services, and the ability to stay in Austria.

But apart from the visa, over which I have no control, I was able to do some other things which were more pleasant. On the way home from the visa office, we stopped at one of the main U-Bahn stations to get me the Vienna Transport Pass. I bought the annual pass which costs €365 when paid in-full and includes the U-Bahn, buses, and trams in the Vienna area. I also was able to situate myself in my apartment which means that I unpacked my bags but my apartment still looks like a mess because I haven't figured out exactly where I want everything. I was also given the contact information for the Elementary School Principal because she wanted to help me out this first weekend here. We did an IKEA run where I picked up some very basic kitchen things that I didn't have such as pots, silverware, etc. Then she also took me out to show me a bit of downtown and explore a little. It was nice to get out and not be stuck in my apartment the whole weekend. She also invited me to go to church with her and so I went to see what her church was like. I really enjoyed it and there are also a lot of ICSV teachers who go there and so I got to meet some of them before the official start of Orientation on Monday.

Today was the first day of Orientation at ICSV and only for the new international hires. We were given a tour of the school, set up our computer accounts, learned about health, renters, and travel insurance, and were able to start setting up our classrooms. All in all, it's been a good weekend and I am excited to meet the other teachers at the school when they come next week.