COLUMN: Austrians are more than ‘The Sound of Music’ portrays
I am an exchange student from Austria, and even though I have been here since August, I have not converted to the LDS church yet. I am 23 years old, not married, I like to drink, go to bars, smoke cigarettes when I am drunk, sleep in on Sundays and I also like to swear (sometimes). This is probably the best way of showing the difference between living here and back home in Innsbruck.
And you know what? It was a good thing I came here! It is about time that someone cleans up the myths about Austria, and this is a perfect way to share my experience with a larger audience.
One of my biggest concerns is the “Sound of Music” image. Every American seems to think that Austrian people run around singing “So long, farewell …” or yodeling all day long. We don’t. Most Austrians have not even heard of this movie and I actually had to come to America in order to watch it, apologizing for the content during the entire film.
Another thing is that even though Herman Maier is a good skier, I do not ski at all and I still think I am a good person.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was not my neighbor before he moved to California and not many men in Austria look like him. They look much better, and the variety of men’s haircuts is much more diverse than in Logan.
One other interesting fact is that there are no kangaroos in Austria and there is no sea within walking distance, which means there is no way you can surf there.
And yes, we do have microwaves and use flour to make bread.
Honestly, this is what happened to me when I came to the United States and the same would probably happen to anyone who goes to Austria, because back home everyone thinks people in America sue companies for fast food making you fat and coffee that was too hot. (Or could this actually be true?)
Please do not get me wrong here. I do not want to say people here are ignorant, because I was the one who asked if Betty Crocker is related to Uncle Ben. Well, I guess this tells a lot about myself.
Last week I stood at a crossing and someone actually told me that in America you are not allowed to cross the streets when the light is red. How interesting! Let me assure you, it is the same in Austria and I can read the sign with the little, white, walking guy.
You know, I really started to get worried when I was walking around campus and found myself humming hymns that my roommates have been listening to every Sunday. Before I came here I considered myself an average religious person, but I changed my mind. I am nothing compared to practicing, LDS people. I am really impressed by how people handle their religion so seriously, but I still am not impressed enough to let them send missionaries to my apartment in order to receive a free copy of their Book of Mormon.
I have to admit I have experienced great times so far, and I have met some wonderful people here, beginning with all the other exchange students who share the same fate. Others include my roommates, students in my classes, all of the professors I come in contact with, the people I work with at the folklore archive, and of course the people in the International Office. Every one of them tries so hard to make us feel as comfortable as possible. I like the expression of “Home is where your heart is.” And I will probably be leaving some of my heart here in Logan when, at the end of this semester, I will be heading back home.
Carmen Summer is a graduate student from Innsbruck, Austria. Comments can be sent to csac6437@uibk.ac.at.