vienna. | five. years.

Five years later, and here were are. If you’ve been reading my blog since the beginning, then you know that I always dedicate a post to a certain study abroad trip that changed me for the better. Part of me cannot believe that it’s been five years since I got on a plane and spent five unforgettable weeks in Vienna, Austria. (Part of me also thought that I’d be making the return trip back this year. Trust me, if I could, then I would in a heartbeat!) I won’t ramble on too much about how much I miss Vienna (oh, Zanoni & Zanoni!) or what Vienna means to me today (you can check out this post and this post if you want to read about all that), but I will say that I’m still very much in a Vienna state of mind.

Rain or shine, every day that you’re being graced by Vienna’s positive vibes and energy is a good day. 

As I’ve said in years past, the thing that I most miss about my time in Vienna is waking up with a purpose. Simply put: Rain or shine, every day that you’re being graced by Vienna’s positive vibes and energy is a good day. When you’re surrounded by beautiful architecture around every corner, it’s hard not to constantly feel inspired. (There’s a reason that Vienna is named the top city for quality of life year after year.) In true Viennese fashion, I've made it a point to always look up when I'm out and about. Despite living in a small city with not-so-tall buildings or inspiring architecture for that matter, I’m always on the lookout for interesting corners and vantage points. I’m especially intrigued by the interaction between light and shadow — and how seeing a building from a different angle can completely change my perspective. It’s amazing how an experience so small can greatly impact your mood for the day. They’re flashes of delight, if you will.

Had I not studied abroad in Vienna, there’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be anywhere near as appreciative of good design and aesthetics. While I’m not a designer myself, I can certainly appreciate “the good” when I see it. AKA, minimalist and streamlined design always makes my heart skip a beat. During my time in Vienna, I was also fortunate enough to meet and hear so many inspiring architects, designers, artists, industrial designers, etc. speak about their metier and process (sketching, making models, photographing, documenting from start to finish). I think this serves as a constant reminder to do all things in life with passion and to avoid shortcuts when the going gets tough. These are all important lessons that I hope to carry with me as I continue to seek a career that leaves me feeling just as inspired and fulfilled.

I really do hope that I make it out to Vienna sooner than later. (And actually, according to my latest travel horoscope and this fortune cookie, I should be booking a trip to Vienna anytime now.) While these photos may not convey how much I miss my morning strolls through Burggarten, riding the u-bahn or how inspired I was on a daily basis, they’re memories and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world. As cliché as that may sound.
 
Do you have plans to study abroad? If you already have, what are your greatest life lessons and takeaways? Share your favorite memories in the comments below!

xo,
A

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vienna. | city. of. dreams.

I've said it in year's past and I'll say it again: for Vienna, I am grateful for so much.  There's no doubt that I would not be nearly as appreciative of good design and aesthetics as I am today had it not been for the five weeks that I spent in Wien.  To sum up my feelings four years later, I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to experience a Viennese space and to become immersed in the architecture and design.  From Vienna, I've learned to always look up (literally — architectural angles are always waiting to be found) and to find value in the creative process, whether it be sketching, producing models, taking notes or a combination of all of these things.  I've learned that bad, unsightly, cookie-cutter architecture and unthoughtful design is never the answer.  Most of all, Vienna has taught me to be passionate about the things that I love and to demonstrate good aesthetics in everything that I do.

Things that I miss about Vienna... in a nutshell, that would include everything.  What stands out the most, however, would have to be waking up each morning with a purpose and feeling inspired to go out and explore. Whether it be a day of note-taking + sketching at the Albertina, visiting with a graphic design firm or climbing to the top of St. Stephen's, every day in Vienna is a good day.

With all that being said, it's not a question of IF I will make the trip back to Vienna, it's WHEN.  #nowornever

xo,

A

P.S. Even four years later, I love how I can look through my Vienna photos and still uncover new gems.  For additional pics, see last year's post.

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vienna.

I can’t believe it, but today marks exactly three years since I embarked on my trip to Vienna, Austria.  In May 2011, I spent five weeks studying abroad (I use this term loosely as what I experienced was a deep immersion in design and architecture.  No classwork, no credits.  It was purely inspiration driven).  It’s interesting because when I entered college, I never thought that I would participate in a study abroad-type program.  It’s not that I didn’t want to...because I definitely did (London, Paris...anywhere in Europe sounded fabulous).  I simply didn’t think that I had time to travel abroad (I was a double major, so I had double the requirements to fulfill) and I quite honestly didn’t think there was a program out there that perfectly encapsulated my interests.  Not to mention that I wasn’t sure if I could handle living in another country for an entire semester or longer.  It sounds fun in theory, but what if I get homesick or don’t like where I’m living or can’t handle the stress of classes...I worry about these types of things.  And, of course, studying abroad certainly doesn’t come cheap, either.  Despite all of this, however, during the spring semester of my junior year, I found myself faced with a dare.  Even at this point in time, I still thought it was all kind of a joke.  I never imagined that I would be able to go to Vienna...it just didn’t seem like it was in the cards for me.  After extensive thought and what felt like a gazillion back-and-forth e-mails with my professor (I was afraid that the trip would involve bike riding and outdoorsy types of things, something which is definitely not my forte), I suddenly knew that I had to go.  There on forward, it was just a matter of convincing my parents that this spur-of-the-moment trip was relevant to my interests (they didn’t quite see the connection between fashion and architecture/design).  Thank goodness I came to my senses, because if I hadn’t then I would have missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime.  Sounds cliche, but it’s so true.

I’m not going to lie, each year as May/June approaches, I always begin feeling a tad nostalgic because I know that there’s nothing that I can do (or experience) that will even come close to being as inspirational as my time in Vienna.  The truth is, I’m not kidding when I say that I’m always in a Vienna-state-of-mind.  Every day, Vienna somehow has a way of making its way into my thoughts. Maybe it’s because I’ve set the background of every laptop and digital device that I own to a stunning photo of the Vienna skyline or perhaps it’s because I follow at least three Instagram feeds that post daily photos of Vienna.  Going beyond these subtle reminders, I wholeheartedly believe that Vienna has shaped me for the better.  These days, I strive to surround myself with inspiration and only do things with passion.  I can’t say that this is always true (sometimes there are things that I simply can’t be passionate about), but I fully realize that passion and inspiration are two non-negotiables that I can’t move forward without. Vienna has also taught me the importance of looking up – literally.  Transported to a faraway place, I did what any other tourist would do:  I photographed everything with an artful eye.  Close-ups, extreme close-ups, framing shots...you get the idea.  One thing I specifically noticed was that you can’t just focus on what’s at eye level. You have to look up, because there are always going to be interesting angles and perspectives that are waiting to be captured.  If you don’t look up, then you miss out.  Simple as that.  While my current residence may be no Vienna, I still carry this mentality along with me.  Photograph to document, to remember and to inspire.

Now that it’s been three years, I like to think about what I truly miss about Vienna.  Part of me misses the most ambiguous and odd things...like taking a trip to the local grocery store (there’s nothing like a SPAR), the route that I took every morning from my host’s apartment to the u-bahn station to the Institute (or St. Stephens or wherever we were meeting in the morning), getting ice cream at Zanoni & Zanoni (so. good.) or just sitting in the park (Burggarten is my favorite).  The other part of me longs for the extensive process of documentation that we practiced – all the note-taking, sketching, photography, lectures, our studio visits with industrial designers, graphic designers, artists, etc.  While it may be true that inspiration is everywhere, sometimes I find it downright impossible to discover it here in the states.  But, I do try.  Creating this blog, curating my Instagram feed and re-blogging meaningful photos on Tumblr are my way of staying in tune with what inspires me.  Practicing good design never fails, either.

Anyone who’s studied abroad before can probably relate to this post.  It doesn’t matter if you fell in love with Italy, Paris or Egypt, there’s something about traveling abroad and becoming immersed in a culture that makes life a little more complete.  Put simply: you can’t imagine life without having met and traveled to  fill-in-the-blank-place.  I know that this is a longer, more personal post than usual, but I couldn’t let the three year mark pass by without commenting on how Vienna has (and continues) to be a constant guiding source of inspiration in my life today.

Vienna, I’m so glad I met you, and I hope we meet again soon.  Ja.

xo,

A

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