2 CultureShock! Austria
MOST LIKELY YOU ALREADY HAVE an impression of Austria, even if
you’ve never set foot in the country before. The mention of
Austria conjures up images of a grand empire that has made
enormous contributions to music, the arts and architecture.
Surely you’ve heard of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, The Blue Danube waltz by Johann Strauss
Jr, and have seen Gustav Klimt’s famous painting, The Kiss.
This is, in fact, your first impression. Yet many people do
not have a clear idea of what to expect from a modern-day
Austria. What are the people like? What are the day-to-day
realities? Once you arrive, will your first moments in this
history-rich country live up to your expectations?
First, we must point out that we are all shaped by our
previous experiences and personal values. This, in turn, has
an impact on how we view other countries and their people.
Obviously, a person moving to Austria from another European
country will have a different experience from someone
moving from the United States, Asia, the Middle East,
Africa or Latin America. For some, the differences between
Austrian society and their own may be huge, for others, less
of an adjustment will be necessary. Likewise, for those who
have travelled across the globe, their first impressions will
be different from those of someone leaving their home for
the first time. Furthermore, there are many different ways
to live in Austria. Students will have a completely different
experience from those who go to Austria to work. (Susan