Learning Curves

I am not going to lie, this whole Austrian experience has been HARD. Harder than I ever expected it to be. There are still moments where I am terrified to go out of the apartment or even struggle to find the motivation to do things during the day. Now I know, some of you are reading this and saying “what in the world Kyra, you live in Austria!!! Get over it and go explore!!” Don’t get me wrong, I am beginning to love this city and the people who live in it. However, living in a foreign city is very different from visiting a foreign city. And with that, I am going to share with you the three main things I have learned (or relearned) in my first three months over here.

1. The language of love speaks louder than language itself.Especially at church, this is so true. I am in the Kindergarten or nursery, so I am with little German children on Sundays. They are so so cute but they just babble at me in German. All I can say is “ja” because I have no idea what they are saying to me!! But playing with them and smiling and just generally being positive can go a long way. Everyone speaks the language of love and compassion. Slowly, I am trying to find ways that I can show that to those around me.

2. Doing something outside of your comfort zone everyday is essential. I remember

stepping onto the metro to go to institute for the first time. Institute is basically a Bible

study class for 18-30 year olds once a week. I was going alone because Oliver was in class

that night. My hands were sweating and my heart was pounding and I almost turned right

around and went home. I go every week now and my hands no longer sweat in fear but my

heart still pounds out of my chest. I have cried after because I don’t understand a single

word. I have left right away so I don’t have to talk to anyone. BUT, every time I go it gets

easier. To be honest, even going downstairs to go outside is sometimes scary because our

apartment is so safe and warm. The days that I get over those fears and just go, are the

really good days here. Those are the days that make me say that this city isn’t so bad after

all.

3. The people make where you live home. One of the hardest parts about moving to a new

place is being surrounded by so many people but none of your people. No one who knows

your story, what you love to do on weekends, your favorite songs, or your struggles. You

start at ground zero. Which is not a bad thing, but for someone like me who is not naturally

extroverted, it is just an extra challenge. However, the days that I really enjoy here usually

have someone else in them, whether that’s Oliver or someone from my ward. I think back to

the places that I have called home: Colorado, France, Hawaii. The reason I love all of these

areas is not necessarily because of the landscape or history, it is the people and the

memories I made there. And so, while Vienna does not yet feel like home, I am confident

that as I start making memories with people here, they will turn into my people and looking

back Vienna will become a wonderful memory.

I am sure that as German becomes easier (I did have a full meeting in German the other day and survived! I even responded! WOoT!) and I start taking my own advice even more, Vienna is going to transform. I do have to say that they have some of the best ice cream I have ever had. Which actually ties into my last little piece of advice for anyone who decides to live abroad for any given amount of time; find somewhere you love to go in the city you're in and go there often. For me, I have a few, but I am a frequent visitor of all of them. If you ever come visit us, I’ll show them to you. ;)

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