A lot of people are asking me why here and I thought to answer everything all together and this is probably why You are reading this post.
Like I stated before it all started with “where am I going with my life” thing like a normal person in their twenties would ask themselves. All I knew was that I really wanted to ski.
If some of you are familiar with the location of Estonia and that it has no mountains, you can imagine that everything was and would be a bit complicated to do from that location. So I guess I kind of always knew that I would move, cause one thing I knew, I wanted to ski. But to be stuck in only skiing is also a bit pathetic. I mean some people are successful businessmen with also being one of the best athletes in the world and then there is me who just works retail and skis.
Yes it was working for a while, but I guess time to make some chances and risk. So that is why I decided that it is time to move on and go forward.
Why Austria? Öhhhh please stop asking me that. I can give you few points what led me here, but there is no “I have always wanted to live here kind of thing”
So point one is its location. If you know anything about alpine skiing then you also know that this is THE PLACE TO BE. I mean in Austria they eat, sleep and shit (sorry) skiing. Honestly I still sometimes forget that they know their skiing when I discuss something with somebody. As an example I will demonstrate on of the most common conversations that I have with the Estonians
“So what do you do?”
“Umm, well I try to focus on alpine skiing mostly. It is kind of like my profession”
“Oooooooooh. You like to go down straight and faaaaaast ehh!”
“Actually, I concentrate more on technical ones. You know, like slalom?”
“Oh, you can do that here in Estonia?” *demonstrates some wild wiggling movement that is supposed to familiarize skiing*
(Here ladies and gentlemen, I always get carried away cause how is this even logical- I can go straight down the hill but doing slalom is so unbelievable that is has to be demonstrated to know we are talking about the same thing)
And also Lindsey Vonn. Ghhhhh... I’m sorry girl, I love your skiing but I am so tired of hearing that for sure I want to be like you cause this is the ONLY NAME IN SKIING ESTONIANS KNOW. Excuse me, I want to be me.
Okay, got a bit carried away but lets continue.
If you want to know how conversations on the same topic with the Austrians go:
“Ohh, you like skiing. So cool. What level are you? Did you see Hirscher last season dominating the world cup. Maaaaan that guy is on fire....”
and then there is me just staring my eyes wide open thinking like “duuuuuuuuude, I freaking love you now”
So until now we have realized that Austria is a good location for a skier to be. But so is also Italy and Sweden and Norway. So Why Austria? (Again)
Lets say it easy. Money. We all know there is no such thing as free stuff. Somebody still has to pay even if it is not you. Talking education in Estonia- it is “called” free for full time yes. But you pay for it with your health, time and (honestly) sane mind. It is expected for you to ONLY study and for the parents to pay for living, food etc. Well sorry but I don't have that option. When I was in Estonia I was working, training and doing full time studies and I can say that I only remember maybe 15% of my life cause I had so much to do just with only working and studying that my brain shut down. And I am still recovering.
I hope you all realize that this is just one university that I have experienced (although have heard same thing about others).
Anyways with that I came to the conclusion that I do t want to do full time and far far far far away from there.
So in Estonia part time education costs about 1000-2000 euros per semester for the subject that I wanted to study. And the same price for full time studies in Italy. So that's a no go.
And there it is again, my saviour Austria. In here all education is just under 400 euros (except private). It doesn't matter if you do part or full time. I was pretty much sold after that. Now the only thing was to find what and where to study.
English. I mean that’s a language I can understand. And because I don't do German yet (guys, chill, already studying). Must say it was really hard to find full English program in bachelor. Most of the world provides masters in English. So next factor was “what am I good at and what do I want to do?”.
It pretty much came down to two options with location: Salzburg and Krems (near Wien). Both of these program are focused on Tourism and Leisure management. This is what I am currently studying and it has been wonderful. So where did I decide to haul my ass to? KREMS. Because of the wine. Haha no.
But I really must say that this was a good decision. This place is so cute, it really reminds me of Estonia. I guess my reasons for being here and studying are not so “OMG THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY DREAM” and more like “I will scout the lands for better options than this” but It seems to be working out still and I have been liking it so far. Ask me in three months and then I can answer again. As a side note: Things I miss the most. Buckwheat, sour cream, normal not powder milk, daaaaaaark bread and taking out money without any fee.
Oh and the people.
Love you.
Talk soon.
