IUHPFL Graz 2023: Reflecting back after one month home

When Team Graz met at Chicago O’Hare, we were basically strangers. It is strange to think back on that day after our amazing five weeks together.

We started our journey with a visit to a swimming pool in Baden bei Wien. Here, we were able to start finding out about each other in German.

Upon arrival in Graz, the students were welcomed by their eager host families. Next, we had our first official day, which included a tour of Graz and our language test. Due to a holiday, the students then had a four-day weekend to spend with their host families.

Before we knew it, we were busy with our courses. As the students became more comfortable communicating only in German, we were able to see their true personalities. Those personalities especially shined during our daily adventures, which included places like the Stadtpark, the Styrian Armory, Schloss Eggenberg, and climbing the 260 steps to the Uhrturm to take a trip down the world’s tallest underground slide. We were also blessed with excursions to Burg Hochosterwitz, the Wörthersee, Riegersburg, and the must-loved Zotter Chocolate Factory. We had so much fun getting to know Graz, the surrounding area, and, most of all, each other.

We concluded our time in Graz with a memorable Farewell Show where the students shared their many talents and thanked their host families. This was a moment when we realized that we were truly a team: we supported and cheered for each other, during the program and as we prepared to depart. 

Leaving Graz was difficult. The students felt so loved by their host families, and they felt comfortable in their new city. After many tears, we boarded the bus to Vienna.

In Vienna, we enjoyed our last days together as a team. We saw many sites, including Schönbrunn Zoo and Palace, Stephan’s Cathedral, Belvedere Palace, and the Prater with its giant Ferris wheel. Mostly importantly, we got to spend time with our friends, who were strangers only weeks before. 

When we had to say goodbye, we did so as a team. We had succeeded in celebrating each individual's uniqueness as we learned German and about Graz. We were sad, but for such happy reasons: we are left with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime. 

On our first day when we arrived in Vienna:

At the airport in Vienna before we flew home:

Sunday, July 9: Schloss Belvedere, Wiener Prater, Group dinner

Well, today is our last full day in Austria, and the students are a mix of emotions.  

After breakfast in the hostel, we headed to Schloss Belvedere (or Castle Belvedere), which is a palace turned in to art museum.  It also has impressive gardens.

Gustav Klimt's famous painting "Der Kuss" or "The Kiss" is in Schloss Belvedere along with many other impressive works of art.

It's very hot in Vienna today (92 degrees), so we spent a couple hours after the museum in the hostel so that students could get out of the sun and pack for our flight early tomorrow morning. 

After packing, we headed to an amusement park.  On the way there we saw a fountain that the students really wanted to stop at to cool down.

We arrived at the Wiener Prater, which is the name of a large park and amusement park that is especially well-known for its Reisenrad (Ferris wheel, or literally gigantic wheel) with cars that fit up to 15 people.  The Prater is like a cross between Kings Island and the Indiana State Fair. 

Then we headed to our final group activity, our last dinner together at Fromme Helene.  Here students enjoyed Schnitzel with potato salad.

The students were probably most excited to get their cell phones back tonight.  We want to make sure that they have time to charge them before tomorrow's flight.

Tonight, we also had to say goodbye to three students who are staying in Europe with their parents.  It was hard to say goodbye because we all had such a nice time together. 

Bonus post: Pictures from students and host families

 Here are some pictures that were shared with me from students or host families.

A 4th of July celebration that one of our host family graciously had at their house:

Here are a few more pictures of students with their host families. There were a few host families that I wasn't able to get pictures of, and I apologize for that. 

Photos from Jack:

Photos from Leif:

Photos from Max:

Photos from Paige:

Photos from Vada:

Photos from Kayla:

Photo from Maiah:

Photos from Emily:

Photos from Ben: