Hello! Welcome to my blog! :) My name is Melissa Baird, and this is my first time being outside of the United States. I have never really traveled much throughout the period of my lifetime, and it has been such an eye opening experience to live in a different country. It has already been 1 1/2 months since I’ve arrived in St. Pölten, Austria. Needless to say, this is a charming city with amazing architecture, culture, and food! I have loved participating In the Winter 2019 iLab course. It has been life changing to meet so many different people from all over Europe.
I’ve also really enjoyed living so close to Vienna. I’ve recently visited the Albertina museum and had the opportunity to see some of Pablo Picasso’s famous artworks. I remember being a kid in elementary school learning about him, and to actually stand before his work was surreal. The Albertina museum was an enriching experience. If you love art—GO SEE IT.
Let’s talk about the food!
While Visting Vienna I had sachertorte for the first time in my entire life. Let me just say that it was literally some of the best cake I have ever tasted. Period. The Aida bakery in Vienna had so many amazing cakes and desserts that I found myself ordering three different kinds of cake!
If you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth then you HAVE to go to Aida. Not only is the food amazing, but the style of the cafe is so incredibly adorable! Everything is pink, and the building looks vintage. It’s a cozy atmosphere that will have you feeling like you’re living a posh life. Needless to say, I’ll be visiting Aida bakery as many times as I possibly can during my stay in Austria. :)
Something that blew Me away in St. Pölten
During a tour of the inner city of St. Pölten we were fortunate to walk through the cathedral. The cathedral in St. Pölten was absolutely stunning. The immaculate baroque architecture of this building was really something you can’t fully grasp unless you‘re standing right in front of it.
Outside of the cathedral there was an excavation site. Several people were on their hands and knees wiping away dirt to reveal the remains of human skeletons. Our tour guide told us they will use their findings to develop research, and the humans bones will be reburied at a new burial site.
So much to do, and so little time
There is so much that I’ve already experienced during the short 1 1/2 months that I’ve been here. Time is flying by and there is still so much I want to do and see. It has definitely been challenging to be so far away from home where everything is familiar and I was surrounded by my family and friends, but this entire experience is changing my life in ways I never could have imagined. Austria is an incredible place. I definitely want to visit Salzburg and Hallstatt before I leave at the end of January. I’m also looking forward to my trip to Paris in December!
If you ever have the chance to travel, near or far, DO IT. I’m so glad I seized the opportunity to participate in the student exchange program At Utah Valley University. Look out Austria, I’m going to cherish every moment I have with you.
Things I’ve seen in St. Pölten and Vienna
Photos: Melissa Baird
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