--- title: 6 things I wish I knew before tutoring English in Austria description: Teach English Abroad in Austria. Learn more about teaching English abroad. What a tutor wished she had known before tutoring English in Austria. --- [The Cultural Exchange Project Travel Blog ](https://culturalexchangeproject.org/blog) # [6 things I wish I knew before tutoring English in Austria](https://culturalexchangeproject.org/blog/tutoring-english-austria) Written by [Laura Alfaridzi](https://culturalexchangeproject.org/blog/author/laura-alfaridzi) | Jul 5, 2016 6:27:17 PM > #### *Laura - a GeoVisions participant and solo traveler reflects on a few things she wish she had known before [tutoring English in Austria](https://geovisions.org/program/teach-english-austria/). Check out her helpful travel tips and honest reflections that made her struggles a worthwhile and life-changing journey. * **1. Where to land. ** Seems like a silly point to make, but it’s true. My host family lives near the Czech border in Austria, so I booked my flight into Prague; which is fine – if you’re an experienced, confident traveler. I struggled with buying the correct train passes (because I can’t speak Czech). I had really tight connections and with signs only in the Czech language and me carrying all of my luggage it made for a very stressful day. Not to mention the hefty fine I received because I did, in fact, buy the wrong ticket. *oy vey* **If I could do over again**, I would book my flight into the Vienna airport. The airport is very small and the best part is that there is a train station directly underneath and so, on your first day with all of your luggage- you never even have to leave the airport to get to your destination. ### I also find the people in Austria are much more willing to help out. **2. If you think you know German, think again.** I came here wanting to improve my German. My perfect “hochdeutsch” that I learned at my college back home…. By the way, they don’t speak hochdeutsch here in Austria. I knew they had a dialect here, but I thought the dialect would be like Georgia Vs. Texas*… yes they sound a little different but, still the same language.* Boy, was I wrong! Upper Austrian Dialect is like a whole new language and I have struggled immensely. **But, do not be discouraged!** The people here are so friendly and they will truly appreciate any German you try to use with them. *Top 5 phrases to learn:* 1. Bitte – Please and You’re welcome. It’s a nice word to use. Know it. 2. Danke – Thank you. 3. Ich möchte zahlen – I’d like to pay (if you don’t know this, you will be waiting a very long time for your check at a restaurant) 4. Sprechen Sie Englisch? – Do you speak English? (as much as I love to practice my German, sometimes it’s much easier and faster to just say it in English if possible!) 5. Kannst du mir helfen? – Can you help me?  **3. You will get sick… you will get sick a lot. ** *New country = New germs.* Remember that. Also, remember to bring your hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer does not exist over here, and you will wish you had it when you step off the train. **Fact:** Not all bathrooms have sinks here… so I will reemphasize: **remember your hand sanitizer. ** **4. What to pack.** I come from Oklahoma. Oklahoma is very hot in the summer. That is the climate I am use to, and that is the climate my silly-self packed for. *sigh* Upper Austria is about equivalent to Seattle- it is cold and it is very* very* rainy (at least, this year it is). My first few weeks here I was sort of depressed because it’s my summer break and I am bundled up in a coat and scarf with no sunshine. Don’t be like me and only pack shorts and t-shirts. **CHECK THE CLIMATE** of where you are going!! It will save you from having to buy new clothes when you arrive. **5. The refugee crisis isn’t *that bad.*** Let me rephrase that: **The refugee crisis is very bad, there is nothing not bad about it**… But, from one solo female traveler to another: **you are safe.** When I signed up with [GeoVisions](https://geovisions.org/) to come to tutor English in [Austria](https://geovisions.org/program/teach-english-austria/), it was about the same time things started looking bad in Europe. My family (and a lot of friends on Facebook) started sending me scary news articles and tried to discourage me from making the trip and I will admit, I had my doubts. I am so happy I listened to my gut, though, and not the media. I have been traveling solo over here for almost two months now, and not once have I felt unsafe or insecure by the Muslim refugees *or anyone *for that matter. Just remember, anything that can happen to you here, can happen to you in the US.  ## Moral of the story: Do what *you* want and do not live in fear. **6. Your independence will change.** I am a very independent person so coming into a new home with new rules was about the only “shock” I had. In the US, I am so used to the freedom of jumping into my car and going where I want, when I want. I am not used to someone asking me how late I will be out or who I am going with. *Having to ask permission before I go out was probably my hardest adjustment at first.* Lucky for me, my family here in Austria usually lets me do whatever I want to do, but out of respect for them I always tell them first so they know. After all, they are responsible for me while I am here! **Bonus Lesson: ****Pfefferoni does not mean Pepperoni** If you want a pepperoni pizza, just get a salami pizza. Pfefferonis are not what you think. ### Finally, never forget *you live and you learn.*  I have learned a lot of hard lessons here; from forgetting my passport until I arrived at the airport, to getting fined at the train station. I have booked the wrong tickets and have lost a bit of money because it was nonrefundable. Part of the thrill of traveling is making mistakes and solving problems *YOURSELF* and learning to depend on your own abilities – it’s scary and exciting all at once but you will grow so much from these times and it is so incredibly worth it. 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