Campus Living with a view

Doing a PhD is hard, doing it while moving into a foreign country and having to start your life all over again is harder, am I right? Well, one of the things that made this journey less daunting was the option to be able to use the university-provided accommodation when I moved to Vienna. It’s a super cost-friendly option for accommodation, it’s furnished for basic requirements followed by the location is super convenient to get to work as well as the city centre. Some things to keep in mind are, that it has a very hospital-like coldness or functionality to it especially the presence of the AKH symbol on the linen provided so if you want more warmth please get your own linen, bedspread, and towels or like me make your first stop Ikea. Another mindset to get in not just in regards to the Personalwonhaus B but with MedUni is almost all paperwork is in German. Keep Google Translate in handy, be it to read the forms you write or to make a simple laundry appointment with the house supervisors. Getting the laundry appointment was and maybe still is the most daunting task of the week. My advice to any new residents would be to make an appointment a week prior and keep your change ready especially if you want an evening slot, because who can start doing their laundry at 7 am -12 pm. Mind you, the laundry room is only available on weekdays! For me, the steps that helped me settle into the Personalwohnhaus was my nesting process. I knew it was pocket-friendly accommodation with the best location to explore the city so I made it my new home. I bought a few plants, made my kitchen functional because two pans aren’t enough for Indian food, hung up memorabilia from home, and most importantly spoke to a few neighbours around my floor. I´d say it´s helpful to interacting with people in the building, especially because they might have experiences or advice to share like where you can eat well nearby or this dryer is better than the other or gives you someone to call in an emergency when you get yourself locked out the apartment on the weekend!

All in all the experience as a resident of the Personalwohnhaus has been an enriching one and it goes hand in hand with my Ph.D. experience. I have learnt so much professionally and personally, and the growth curve has really peaked :D! For me, my Ph.D. has been a journey into what being an independent researcher feels like but with backup I get to make my plans and experiments but always have the backup to go talk to my peers or my PI so, I get to trust my judgment knowing I have support. At the same time as I am learning new techniques and working in a new field, it brings frustration when you aren’t able to provide the results or data you hoped for. The experience I have enjoyed the most is the feeling of how much potential there is in my work and the independence to drive it forward. I think living in a well-balanced and beautiful city like Vienna allows you to balance the pressure and stress of the academic life of a Ph.D. with the serenity and calmness of the city. A simple walk back from work while passing through the Votiv Church or at times a small game of Ping-Pong in between experiments at the Votiv Park gives you a recharge.

I want to encourage everyone who plans to move to the city to try to find an activity or a community as it can be very grounding. Other minor insights are to be prepared for slow Sundays when shops are closed but tourist attractions and restaurants are open, take up the task of learning German as communication always helps and most importantly in the words of Dory from Finding Nemo, “Just keep Swimming!”

Shopping options for houseware

Vienna offers various shopping options for both new and pre-owned houseware and home items. Here are some places to explore:

New Items

1. Mariahilfer Strasse: This bustling shopping street in Vienna is home to several department stores like Gerngross, as well as smaller shops offering home goods and décor. H&M Home, Depot, Interio or Hemma are located on Mariahilfer Strasse.
2. Kärntner Straße: Another popular shopping street where you can find stores like Zara Home, which offer a range of home-related products.
3. IKEA: The well-known furniture retailer has a store in Vienna offering a wide array of affordable furniture, home accessories, and kitchenware.
4. Kika/Leiner: These large furniture stores in various locations across Vienna provide a diverse selection of furniture, bedding, and home accessories.
5. Shop online at major stores or more indepent stores such as: diesellerie.com, voltavienna.com, habari.at, home24.com, homents.shop, designqvist.at

Pre-owned and Vintage

1. Flea market on the Naschmarkt: This flea market near Naschmarkt often has vendors selling second-hand furniture, home décor, and unique finds. To find more flea markets in Vienna visit: https://www.flohmarkt.at/flohmaerkte/wien
2. Caritas Wien: They have several thrift stores across the city where you might find pre-owned household items and furniture at affordable prices.
3. 48er Tandler: This municipal second-hand store often has a range of pre-owned home goods, furniture, and appliances at reasonable prices.
4. Shpock & Willhaben: Online platforms like Shpock and Willhaben have local listings for second-hand items, including household goods. You can find a range of items being sold by individuals in your area.
5. Antique Shops: Vienna is known for its antique shops that sell unique and vintage home items. Check out places like Antik Möbel and Antik Juwelier for classic pieces.
Remember to check the condition and quality of pre-owned items before purchasing. Exploring both new and pre-owned options can help you find the perfect items to furnish and decorate your home in Vienna