Oliver Gamson writes 'At the beginning of January I moved to my second host family. We live in a small village right outside of Stockerau, which is the big city where my school is located, just 30 minutes outside of Vienna. I have 2 siblings, and we get along very well. I am speaking almost only German with this family, which has helped my German skills improve a lot. I’m finding that as my German is developing, I’m able to become closer with my classmates and friends, which is adding a lot of richness to my life here. Soon after I moved to my new host family, I went to Budapest for a couple days to see the city and also go see a performance in its beautiful opera house. Budapest is a very cool city which I would love to spend more time in whenever I’m next given the chance. Later in January, I was able to go watch the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra perform, and I had a very special opportunity to go on a private tour of the Concert House and meet some members of the orchestra. Being in Vienna has had a very special impact on my love for music, and it is very easy to feel inspired by the city’s beauty. I’ve been taking violin and piano lessons as well, which are both highlights of my weeks in Austria.
As many of you may be familiar with, Vienna is very well known for its Ball Season around this time of year. I attended my first ball in January and had the opportunity to dance in my first ball opening. It was for the school ball, which my class had been organizing since September. It was a very successful evening, and a very authentic Austrian experience.
During our semester break at the beginning of February, my family took me skiing in the alps. It was very beautiful, and a great opportunity to bond with them. Reflecting on the things I’ve been able to do here, there are so many moments in which I am reminded of how unique it is for one to get to go on exchange. For example, even something as simple as sitting at the dinner table with my host family is a really unique experience. In a way, it embodies what an exchange year is to me. Even though eating dinner isn’t a particularly special thing to do, the fact that I am sitting there with a family from a different country and culture, who is letting me live with them and learn about them and their culture, is a really an extraordinary thing.
After our time in the Alps, I had a concert with a group of friends in Stockerau. We performed in a monastery at the edge of the city, which was a very interesting venue. The concert and music were very enjoyable, and I always enjoy participating in events like this because one always makes new contacts that can continue to serve them well into the future. There have been a few other performances that I’ve been able to attend, including a “100 years of Rotary in Austria” concert of the Vienna Symphony, which always make me so grateful to me here.'
Oliver (left most) with my host family and other relatives.
An overhead view of the ball opening in which Oliver danced.
Oliver (second to right) with some friends from school during our school ball.
