Full of Bright Minds

WAS IST LOS? September 2018

Dear Fulbright Grantees!

Welcome to Austria! The purpose of this missive, Was ist Los?, is to augment the information Fulbright Grantees received before their departure in the Useful Hints booklet and the information teaching assistants received in the Handbook for US Teaching Assistants in Austria. Please seek out the information that is relevant to your status and note that there are a number of “action items” related to your arrival that you should attend to as soon as possible.

With the best wishes for a good start of the year from all of the members of the Fulbright Commission and the co-workers of the Fulbright Secretariat,

Dr. Lonnie Johnson Executive Director

Full AUSTRIAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL COMMISSION of bright Q21/MQ MUSEUMSPLATZ 1 1070 VIENNA, AUSTRIA minds. TEL +(431) 236 78 78-0 [email protected] www.fulbright.at

WIL, 18-19, p 1 1. CONTENTS: Was ist Los 2018-19 1. CONTENTS: Was ist Los 2018-19 ...... 2 2. Contacts ...... 3 1. | AUSTRIAN FULBRIGHT COMMISSION STAFF ...... 3 2. | OFFICE HOURS AT FULBRIGHT AUSTRIA ...... 3 3. | EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS...... 3 3. Registration | Residency Permit...... 4 1. | REGISTRATION WITH AUSTRIAN AUTHORITIES ...... 4 2. | REGISTRATION WITH THE US CONSULATE AND THE SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM ...... 4 3. | EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ...... 4 4. | YOUR ADDRESS ...... 5 5. | RESIDENCY PERMIT ...... 5 6. | A NOTE ON DOCUMENTS ...... 5 7. | FULBRIGHT STUDENT GRANTEES WITH FULL RESEARCH GRANTS: ...... 5 8. | FULBRIGHT GRANTEES WITH GRANTS COMBINED WITH A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP ..... 6 9. | GENERAL INFORMATION ON LEASES ...... 7 10. | REGISTERING FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT ...... 8 4. Academic Matters ...... 8 1. | EVIDENCE OF ACADEMIC WORK DONE IN AUSTRIA ...... 8 2. | FULBRIGHT PROJECTS ...... 9 3. | GERMAN INSTRUCTION ...... 9 5. Financial Matters...... 9 1. | STUDENTS WITH A FULL RESEARCH GRANT + FACULTY ...... 9 2. | STUDENTS WITH GRANTS COMBINED WITH A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP ...... 10 6. Health and Accident Insurance ...... 10 1. | IF YOU GET ILL...... 12 2. | MEDICATION ...... 13 7. Pragmatic concerns ...... 13 1. | POSTAL RATES AND TERMS ...... 13 2. | CUSTOMS MATTERS ...... 13 3. | INTERNET ACCESS AND E-MAIL ACCOUNTS ...... 14 4. | TELEPHONES ...... 15 5. | UTILITY BILLS ...... 15 6. | TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN VIENNA (AND ELSEWHERE) ...... 15 7. | TRAINS ...... 17 8. | TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS, SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ...... 17 8. Cultural Opportunities ...... 18 1. | AUSTRIAN FOLK DANCING ...... 19 2. | USEFUL ADDRESSES IN VIENNA OF PLACES FEATURING SPECIAL LECTURES, READINGS, FILM SHOWS, INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS, ETC...... 19 3. | OPEN MARKETS IN VIENNA ...... 20

WIL, 18-19, p 2 4. | VACATION TRIPS, SKI CAMPS, TRAVEL ...... 20 5. | UPCOMING AUSTRIAN HOLIDAYS AND CUSTOMS ...... 21 6. | TRADITIONAL LEOPOLDI-FASSELRUTSCHEN IN KLOSTERNEUBURG ...... 22 9. Photos and stories……………………………………………………………………………………………22

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2. Contacts

1. | FULBRIGHT AUSTRIA STAFF tel. (01) 236 78 78 -0

Dr. Lonnie Johnson, Executive Director, [email protected], ext. 12 Dr. Susanne Hamscha, Scholar Program Officer, [email protected], ext. 11 Dune Johnson, USTA Program Officer, [email protected], ext. 13 Darrah Lustig, MAIS, US Student Program Officer, [email protected], ext. 16 Mag. Martina Laffer, Program Coordinator, [email protected], ext. 15 Mag. Ruth Gabler-Schachermayr, MPA, Fundraising and Development Officer, RGabler- [email protected], ext 18

2. | OFFICE HOURS AT FULBRIGHT AUSTRIA

Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Fulbright Austria is closed on Austrian and American holidays. If you wish to visit the office, please make an appointment by telephone in advance.

3. | EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

122 Fire 133 Police 144 Ambulance 141 Doctor’s hotline for emergency home visits (7:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M.) 112 Pan-European Emergency: 142 Psychiatric hotline (http://www.telefonseelsorge.at/) 0800 222 555 Women’s hotline for sexual harassment, assault, etc. (www.frauenhelpline.at) 140 Mountain rescue 01 406 43 43 Poison Control:

American Citizen Services: Mon to Fri 8:00am – 4:30pm: (+431) 313 39 7535

For emergencies outside of office hours during the week and on weekends, please contact Dr. Lonnie Johnson home tel.: (01) 956 4376 or mobile phone: 0699 1 956 4376.

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WIL, 18-19, p 3 3. Registration | Residency Permit

1. | REGISTRATION WITH AUSTRIAN AUTHORITIES

Within three business days of entering Austria, you (and your dependents) are technically required to register with the appropriate Austrian authorities. The required registration form (Meldezettel) is available either on-site at these Austrian registration offices, or online. The form is easy to download. You can fill it out on your computer and print it out using the following link: http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/documents/meldez.pdf

In Vienna, this form should be turned in at your local Meldeamt—find it on http://www.wien.gv.at/mba/mba.htm. Elsewhere, register with your local Meldebehörde: www.help.gv.at/ (click on Behörden, Bezirkshauptmannschaft.) It is best to have the blank form with you when you move in, as your landlord or Hausverwaltung (building management) will need to sign it. In a pension or hotel, the management will take care of registration. It is important to keep your Meldezettel in a safe place, as it is an important document you will need to open a bank account, complete your application for your residency permit, and for various other purposes.

You are required to “deregister” when you move to another location within Austria or leave the country altogether.

2. | REGISTRATION WITH THE US CONSULATE AND THE SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM

US citizens staying longer than three months in Austria are strongly encouraged to register with the US Consulate in Austria via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): register online at: https://step.state.gov/step/. The US Government issues periodic official travel directives and advisories for US citizens abroad enrolled in STEP. You can log on to the Department of State website at http://www.travel.state.gov for “Information on Travel: Safety Abroad in Light of the Current World Situation.” For relevant news releases and statements with a more “local” or Austrian focus, you also may consult the US Embassy website in Austria https://at.usembassy.gov/. Fulbright Austria is in regular touch with the US Embassy in Vienna and is informed, as are all individuals enrolled in STEP, if there are any warnings, alerts, or specific issues of concern. Please note, however, that Fulbright Austria has no further or additional sources of information on security issues outside of the official sources listed above.

The US Consulate in Austria is located at Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna, Tel.: (+43-1) 31339-7535, E- mail: [email protected]. The American Citizen Services Section (ACS) assists people with passport renewal, registration of Americans living in Austria, birth reports for children of American citizens born in Austria, voter registration, income tax forms, notary services, and emergency service to American citizens.

3. | EMERGENCY PROCEDURES It is your responsibility to keep us informed of any changes to your contact information using the following forms: US Students: https://goo.gl/forms/O56ZsZi7lnkUCYrP2 US Scholars: https://goo.gl/forms/12eTKYqp1jRPy93v1 Use the following form to inform us of any travel outside of Austria: http://goo.gl/forms/9xTUnZmVNB, in addition to informing your program officer about any grant- related travel. This form will not be monitored on a regular basis and will only be consulted in case

WIL, 18-19, p 4 of emergency to ascertain who is out of the country. Should there be a state of emergency in Austria, Fulbright Austria will contact all participants via email and a check-in form, and then by phone. Please fill out the form immediately to let us know that you are safe. If we receive a response from you, indicating that you are safe, we will not need to call you. If we are still unable to make contact with you after a period of time, we may contact your emergency contact. If you would like to update your emergency contact information, email your program officer. In case of emergency, we will not be able to provide information about your whereabouts to people other than your emergency contact and emergency and embassy personnel. Should there be an emergency or crisis in Austria, please reassure your friends and family that you are safe, immediately. Update any social media you use to indicate your safety.

4. | YOUR ADDRESS

As soon as you get settled into your new accommodations, please inform Fulbright Austria of your address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Please keep Fulbright Austria informed of your coordinates at all times, and of any changes thereof.

5. | RESIDENCY PERMIT

Anyone wishing to reside in Austria who is not a citizen of one of the member states of the European Union is subject to a relatively restrictive body of legislation, which regulates the status of aliens in Austria. The laws pertaining to US citizens are complicated, and Fulbright Austria has attempted to make arrangements with the authorities to facilitate the issuance of residency permits.

6. | A NOTE ON DOCUMENTS

Individual agents within the residency permit-granting agencies have quite a bit of leeway in terms of which documents to request from applicants. In this and previous mailings, we have requested that you bring all of the documents we anticipate that a fairly thorough agent might request. It is therefore entirely possible that you will not be asked to present all of the documents we have mentioned, however, you should bring them ‘just in case’ as failure to present requested documents will hold up your application. Copy machines at the immigration offices are coin-operated and often out of order: we recommend that you make photocopies of ALL of your documents before you go to the immigration offices.

7. | FULBRIGHT STUDENT GRANTEES WITH FULL RESEARCH GRANTS:

When you register, ask for the name and the address of the authority responsible for handling your application.

In Vienna: Magistratsabteilung 35, Gruppe Einwanderung; Referat 2.0 Erstantragsreferat, Dresdner Strasse 93, Block C, 1200 Vienna phone: +43 (1) 4000-3535; opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00-12:00; Thursday 15:30-17:30 In Graz: Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung, Fachabteilung A3, Paulustorgasse 4, 8010 Graz. phone: +43 (316) 877-2072; opening hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 15:00, Friday 8:00 – 12:30. In Innsbruck: Aufenthaltsangelegenheiten, Maria-Theresien-Straße 18, Ground Floor, 6010 Innsbruck,

WIL, 18-19, p 5 phone: +43 (512) 5360-1032: opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:00-12:00. In Salzburg: Amt für öffentliche Ordnung, Fremdenrechtsbehörde Schwarzstraße 44, 5020 Salzburg; phone: +43 (0662) 8072-3101; Email: [email protected]

Fulbright Austria has asked you in its previous mailings to bring along certain documents. In order to apply for a residency permit, you must submit the following documentation to the authorities in person:  application form  a recent, biometric passport size photo  a copy of all pages of your passport  letter from the Fulbright Commission confirming your status as a Fulbright grantee (covers proof of funding and insurance coverage)  copy of your birth certificate  police clearance letter (polizeiliches Führungszeugnis)  a photocopy of your Meldezettel  proof of lodging, i.e. copy of your lease (Nachweis einer gesicherten Unterkunft, including rent and utilities expenses)  signed Integrationsvereinbarung, or: university transcript

You will need to apply for a Aufenthaltsbewilligung – “Sonderfälle unselbstständiger Erwerbstätigkeit”. According to the letter of the law, as a US citizen you may enter Austria on a tourist visa and reside in the country legally for 90 days, and you are allowed to apply for a residency permit while already in Austria.

The authorities will inform you when your application has been processed and where your special ID card can be picked up. Please note that you will be required to pay approximately EUR 133 for the processing of the application and for the issuance of a special ID card that serves as documentation that you have a valid residency permit. Most offices can only charge to Austrian bank cards, so bring cash if you do not have an Austrian bank card yet. Fulbright Austria will reimburse all Fulbright grantees for this expense after submission of the receipt. You are required by law to have your ID card on your person at all times!

Please keep in mind that the Austrian authorities will take about 4-8 weeks to process your application. Therefore, it is imperative that you start the process immediately! Should the processing time exceed your 90 days of legal residence as a tourist, you are in Austria illegally and may be required to leave the country. Therefore, should the authorities ask for further documentation, act immediately and submit these documents a.s.a.p. so that your application for a residency permit can be completed before the end of your 90 days of legal residence as a tourist.

8. | FULBRIGHT GRANTEES WITH GRANTS COMBINED WITH A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP

Students with grants combined with a teaching assistantship should have already handed in their application while still in the States. The authorities will inform you when your application has been processed and where your special ID card can be picked up.

Some authorities have sent out information that permits are ready to be picked up, but not all have done so yet. If they have failed to do so it is important that you check on the status of your residency permit immediately. To find out the right address to go to please check online at: https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/behoerden.html or ask for this information when you are registering at the local Meldeamt. (In Vienna, for WIL, 18-19, p 6 example, the authority responsible for issuing the permits is: Magistratsabteilung 35, Gruppe Einwanderung; Referat 2.0 Erstantragsreferat, 1200 Dresdner Strasse 93, Block C opening hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00-12:00; Thursday 15:30-17:30). You will have to pick up your ID card in person. You will need to present your passport and your Meldezettel. Please note that you will be required to pay a fee for the processing of the application and for the issuance of the ID card that serves as documentation that you have a valid residency permit. Most offices can only charge to Austrian bank cards, so bring cash if you do not have an Austrian bank card yet. Fulbright Austria will reimburse all Fulbright grantees for this expense after submission of the receipt. You are required by law to have your ID card on your person at all times!

9. | GENERAL INFORMATION ON LEASES (Proof of accommodation)

Austrian regulations regarding the residency of foreigners in Austria require you to have a confirmation of secured accommodation (Nachweis einer gesicherten Unterkunft), i.e. you must document that you legally have a right to live somewhere and technically must produce some kind of contract, lease, or other form of confirmation: Mietvertrag (lease), Untermietvertrag (sublease), some other form of plausible written agreement (Mietvereinbarung), or Heimbestätigung (confirmation from a dormitory). Although US students and teaching assistants fall under laws primarily conceived to deal with immigrants or potential immigrants to Austria, the authorities usually recognize that they are staying in Austria for a limited period of time and generally do not treat them as classic “immigrants.” Be that as it may, it is up to the discretion of the authorities to determine how rigorous they wish to be about this documentation.

Austrian law regarding leases and subleases is complicated and frequently entails the acquisition of entitlements for renters. (This is one reason people like to rent to US students and teaching assistants because they know you will be leaving.) Fulbright Austria is not in a position to advise grantees or teaching assistants on contracts. However, for the purposes of fulfilling the documentation requirement for your residency permit, a relatively simple lease or subleasing agreement should suffice. As a contract, it should have the following characteristics:

1. a title: Mietvertrag or Untermietvertag 2. the parties: abgeschlossen zwischen – concluded between – the owner and the renter 3. the object: Mietgegenstand (address and in case of a sublease, which rooms) 4. the period: Mietzeit (length of the lease, from-to: usually terminal, of course) 5. the rent: Zins, Untermietzins, including whether operating costs, utilities, etc., are included in the rent 6. limitations of use: Benützung – this may or may not be included by the owner, who may wish to stipulate requirements or limitations of use. For example, your obligation to keep the place clean, forbid you from making changes in the object or subletting yourself, prevent you from opening up a business in the space, forbid you from having pets, etc. 7. date and signatures

How complicated your lease should be (and ultimately whether or not you should consult a lawyer to assist in drafting it), fundamentally depends on the relationship you have to the owner: how detailed or restrictive the owner wishes to make the agreement, the nature of the understanding, or relationship you have with the owner, e.g. if you are living with a family or friends, and the requirements of the authorities. In Vienna in particular, if you rent a room or apartment, you need a contract or lease.

Under certain circumstances (for instance, if you live with friends or relatives or have some other kind of informal relationship), the Viennese authorities will accept a written agreement (Mietvereinbarung) that states: WIL, 18-19, p 7

1. both your and your landlord's/lady's full names as well as dates and places of birth; 2. the address of the place you are renting or in which you reside; 3. the length of the rent agreement; 4. the rent and utilities you are paying, if any; and 5. your and your landlord/lady's signature.

Elsewhere in Austria, personal contact with the authorities is one way of clarifying this issue in advance. If you are living with a family, for example, they might contact the authorities, explain the situation, and inquire if a simple letter of confirmation is sufficient.

10. | REGISTERING FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

If you want to vote by overseas absentee ballot in US federal and state elections, you generally need to register with your US county at least 6 weeks before the election. It’s easiest to fill out the required form (called an FPCA-Federal Post Card Application-it’s for both registering and requesting a ballot) electronically: https://www.fvap.gov/. Every state uses the same form, but every state has its own instructions for filling out the form.

Complete the form following your state’s instructions, print and sign it, then fax and mail to your US county official. Your county election official will then mail, email or fax an overseas absentee ballot to you. You vote, then return the ballot by mail, email or fax.

The following two websites are non-partisan and will provide you with assistance and information as well: https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/ http://www.votefromabroad.org/

These websites provide information on the modalities for applying for absentee ballots, which change from state to state and can entail considerable lead times. These websites recommend applying 45 days prior to Election Day to ensure that you will receive your absentee ballot on time.

If you need a mailing address and do not know what your address in Austria will be, these materials can be sent care of Fulbright Austria, and we will then forward these documents to you.

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4. Academic Matters

1. | EVIDENCE OF ACADEMIC WORK DONE IN AUSTRIA

Fulbright students with grants combined with teaching assistantships are reminded that they are registering as ordentliche Studierende and that they are required to submit to Fulbright Austria effective documentary evidence of academic work at the end of each semester. For details, see Useful Hints, page 10. Graduate students are required to document how their projects have developed. The Fulbright Secretariat will retain a copy of your Inskriptionsbestätigung. The semester stickers you receive are valid only for the winter semester (WiSe) 2018-19. To stay enrolled in the summer semester (SoSe), you need to pay the “ÖH”-fee (Austrian Student Union fee, EUR 19,20 in WiSe 2018-19). Students who WIL, 18-19, p 8 receive their materials directly from university are asked to please forward a copy of their Inskriptionsbestätigung to Fulbright Austria.

2. | FULBRIGHT PROJECTS

While Fulbright Austria expects you to solve minor problems in connection with your studies, research or teaching, please contact Fulbright Austria immediately in case any severe problems arise.

3. | GERMAN INSTRUCTION

The ‘Campus Austria' website lists a variety of courses (by region): http://www.campus- austria.at/de. Check the catalogue and website of your local university. Most universities offer German courses to their foreign students. Former grantees in Vienna have recommended the German courses offered by the Internationales Kulturinstitut (Opernring 7, tel.: (01) 586 73 21), or by the Wiener Internationale Hochschulkurse (Universitätscampus Altes AKH Alser Straße 4, Hof 1.16, tel.: (01) 4277 24101). These courses fill up very quickly (often within two days of registration beginning), so act fast and sign up in person to take advantage of these opportunities.

Recipients of a student grant or student/teaching assistant grant are encouraged to inform Fulbright Austria of their language improvement plans. Fulbright Austria is willing to assume 2/3 of the fees for language instruction; however, this sum may not exceed the total of EUR 500.-. Grantees will be reimbursed only upon successful completion of a course and submission of the relevant documentation thereof (receipts and certificate of completion).

You may also want to consider arranging a language tandem, i.e. a weekly appointment with a native German speaker in which you practice German your German and they practice English with you. The University of Vienna has a forum for people seeking tandem partners: http://sprachenzentrum.univie.ac.at/content/site/spzuw/de/sprachlernboerse/index.html

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5. Financial Matters

1. | STUDENTS WITH A FULL RESEARCH GRANT AND FACULTY

Please open a Euro account for Inländer (i.e. residents), or savings account, if you prefer, with a bank in your city of assignment to which Fulbright Austria can transfer your further allowances and inform Fulbright Austria of the name and address of the bank, your IBAN, and the bank’s routing code (BIC). The first maintenance award (for October) will be transferred to you as soon as you have provided Fulbright Austria with the coordinates of your bank. You also will receive the first half of your travel grant (EUR 400) at this time.

Subsequent installments of your maintenance grant will be made by the first of each month, i.e. November 1 for November, December 1 for December. You will receive the second half of your travel grant (EUR 400) after submitting your final report.

WIL, 18-19, p 9 2. | STUDENTS WITH GRANTS COMBINED WITH A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP

TAs receive their monthly salaries (October through May) directly from the Bundesrechenamt at the middle of the month. They should open an account with a bank in their city of assignment and inform the appropriate office of their Stammschule (usually the Administration or Direktion) of the name and address of the bank, your account number, and the bank’s IBAN. These coordinates need to be shared with the main office of your school and is necessary information in order for you to be paid. Your first two salaries (October and November) will be transferred to your account in mid-November.

Please provide your school with your banking coordinates on your first day of school, if possible, so that they can get your coordinates into the system. Should you fail to do so, payment delays of up to more than two months may occur if this information is not provided on time. Contact the principal or main office of your school if problems arise in connection with your payments.

Grantees with awards combined with a teaching assistantship will receive their salaries from the Bundesrechenamt from October 2018 to May 2019. You will receive the maintenance grant for June 2019 and half of your travel allowance as soon as you have provided Fulbright Austria with the coordinates of your bank in October.

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6. Health and Accident Insurance

All Fulbright grantees are covered by a US government paid health and accident coverage during their grant period. This coverage is limited to their stay in Austria and does not cover non-grant related travel (vacationing) outside of Austria nor is it valid in the USA (should they visit home). Voluntary insurance for accompanying dependents can be obtained on a self- paid basis. The voluntary insurance is also available to grantees remaining in Austria after grant expiration. Detailed information will be provided during orientation. Claim forms can be downloaded at http://usdos.sevencorners.com/forms/

Students with full research grants In addition to the Fulbright related insurance coverage (ASPE), students with full research grants registered as ordentliche Studierende are required to take out the Austrian student insurance obtainable at the Gebietskrankenkasse at approximately EUR 56,74 (as of September 2018) per month offering complete coverage. Fulbright Austria will reimburse you for the expense after you have submitted the relevant documentation. Accompanying children (when noted) are automatically insured with their parents, accompanying spouses can be insured at modest rates (marriage certificates are needed for the registration of spouse, birth certificate for child). Coverage is also valid for most other European countries. To be insured under the auspices of this program you will need to take your Meldezettel and the Studienbuchblatt and the Inskriptionsbestätigung (documentation that you are enrolled as a student and enrolled in courses copies of the personal data and Austrian visa pages of your passport the form from the relevant Krankenkasse

WIL, 18-19, p 10 Here are links to the various regional Krankenkassen. In most cases, you can apply online or by sending scans of the relevant documents and forms to the Ansprechsperson noted on the websites below.

Vienna: https://www.wgkk.at/ Styria: https://www.stgkk.at Salzburg: https://www.sgkk.at Carinthia: https://www.kgkk.at

After about a month, you will receive an E-card, which looks like a credit card, and has your insurance number (Sozialversicherungskarte, Sozialversicherungsnummer), from the agency responsible for insuring you. Bring the E-card with you whenever you need treatment. It has all relevant data for the physicians and insurance agency.

At the end of your time in Austria, you will need to de-enroll from the insurance. Procedure varies by Krankenkasse but can generally be done by email and is listed on the links above. Coverage includes treatment for illness and injuries, eye examinations, basic dental care, pregnancy, medication, therapeutic and laboratory services (if prescribed by a physician), medical supplies, hospitalization, etc.

Should you need to see more than one specialist (for example, a gynecologist) during a quarter (1st quarter: January- March, 2nd quarter: April-June; and so on) you will have to ask the first specialist or the practitioner you consulted for an additional referral: Überweisung. You cannot switch from one doctor to another within one quarter in connection with the same illness.

NOTE: Not all dental work is covered by this insurance. Before having dental work done, ask what services are included to avoid misunderstandings regarding costs. A regular dental appointment just involves checking the teeth, not a cleaning; a cleaning (Zahnreinigung) generally costs around €70 and must be requested at the time of appointment.

Austrian medical insurance also covers medication. A prescription fee (Rezeptgebühr) of € 6.10 is collected for each medication prescribed. The physician responsible for prescribing the medication must be consulted if additional medication is needed and issues another prescription. NOTE: Austrian medical insurance does not cover any form of birth control medication, so it will cost you more than € 6.10 (typically €10-€20 per month).

Students with Teaching Assistantships During the period of their assignments in Austria, teaching assistants are completely covered by the Austrian health insurance program of the BVA – Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter. Accompanying children are insured free of charge under the auspices of parental insurance. Spouses may be insured free of charge if they are exclusively engaged in child-care. Otherwise, insurance premiums have to be paid to insure accompanying spouses. You need to make a point of informing your school of your children’s names so they are registered with you (marriage certificates are needed for the registration of spouses, birth certificates for children). Once registered for coverage, you receive a green insurance card, the so-called E-card. Please carry this card with you all the time; should you need to consult a physician you will need to present this card as proof of your insurance coverage.

During the period of their assignments in Austria (note: not beforehand and with a grace period of 6 weeks afterwards), teaching assistants are covered as “employees” by the health and accident insurance program of the BVA – Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich

WIL, 18-19, p 11 Bediensteter. For detailed information on the conditions and extent of coverage, teaching assistants should consult the BVA website at www.bva.at or call the BVA Hotline at 05 04 05.

NOTE: The insurance coverage for U.S. teaching assistants does not apply to the United States. Should you visit the U.S. in the course of your assignment, you must provide for adequate insurance coverage yourself either by contacting a U.S. insurance company or a local Austrian insurance company that will provide you with a moderately priced Reiseversicherung. Before traveling outside of the European Union (e.g. in Eastern Europe), you should inquire if there are insurance reciprocity agreements between Austria and the countries you will be visiting.

1. | IF YOU GET ILL ......

If you get ill and are unable to work, it is important to call in sick at your school or schools (for combined grantees) to let them know that you will not be reporting to work. You are required to get a note from your doctor (Krankenstandsmeldung) that you are ill, which has to be forwarded to the BVA. Please inquire at your school whether you are required to bring a confirmation from a physician (this may depend on the duration of your illness).

A great tool for finding a physician is offered by the Österreichische Ärztekammer online. Some of the local Ärztekammern allow you to limit your search to physicians who can speak English.

WIL, 18-19, p 12 Burgenland: http://www.aekbgld.at/web/arztekammer-fur-burgenland/arztsuche Kärnten: http://www.aekktn.at/web/arztekammer-fur-karnten/arztsuche Niederösterreich: https://sso.arztnoe.at/arztsuche/search.jsf Oberösterreich: http://aekooe.at/arztefinder Salzburg: http://www.aeksbg.at/web/arztekammer-fur-salzburg/arztsuche Steiermark: http://www.aekstmk.or.at/cms/cms.php?pageName=46 Tirol: http://www.aektirol.at/arztsuche/ Vorarlberg: http://www.medicus-online.at Wien: http://www.praxisplan.at/

A list of English speaking doctors – by no means exclusive or intended as recommendation – and a list of hospitals (including addresses and telephone numbers) in all parts of Austria is available at the US embassy website: https://at.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen- services/medical-assistance/.

2. | MEDICATION

… is only available at pharmacies (an Apotheke as opposed to Drogerie, which is basically the cosmetics and toiletries part of a US drug store), and very often only with a doctor's prescription. Austrian physicians are generally more reticent about prescribing antibiotics than US physicians. Many items you may be accustomed to getting across the counter in the US (e.g. antihistamines if you have a cold or even aspirin) require prescriptions in Austria. Pharmacies close on Saturday at midday and reopen on Monday morning. A rotation schedule for pharmacies providing evening and weekend service is available at https://www.nachtapotheke.wien/. Please note that pharmacies charge a small fee for service provided outside normal operating hours.

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7. Pragmatic concerns

1. | POSTAL RATES AND TERMS

There are two different rates and two different zones for postage: priority (fastest possible delivery, i.e. air for the U.S.) and non-priority (cheapest possible delivery, i.e. surface for the U.S.) as well as for Austria (standard), Europe, and the rest of the world. The charges jump in 50 gram increments to two kilograms.

Weight Priority Non-Priority Standard Europe World World in Austria only up to 20 g EUR 0,80 EUR 1,70 EUR 0,80 EUR 0,68 50 g EUR 1,80 EUR 2,50 EUR 1,50 EUR 1,00 100 g EUR 2,30 EUR 3,95 EUR 3,60 EUR 1,60 350 g EUR 6,20 EUR 6,85 EUR 3,60 EUR 1,60

Airmail letters to the US take about one week, surface letters about four to six weeks and packages from about five to ten weeks.

WIL, 18-19, p 13 2. | CUSTOMS MATTERS

In Austria, packages are normally brought to you by your mail carrier. In your absence, they will deposit a yellow slip in your mailbox advising you of when and at which post office you can pick up your package. A Zustellgebühr of EUR 3,56 is collected on each package over 2 kg as well as the customs, if applicable.

NOTE: If you receive packages from the US, which are insured and have a declaration of value, the customs authorities will charge duties on the declared value, including gifts. Therefore, if you receive items from home, inform the people who are sending you things of whether or not they should declare a value. Do not send computers or new electronic equipment by mail as they will inevitably be tied up in customs, and it’s extremely difficult to get the equipment without paying high duties.

Once you have accepted a package and paid the duties, it is not possible for you to reclaim the duty paid (even it does not correspond to the value of the contents). Therefore, if the duty seems unjustified to you or too high, you should refuse to pay it and not accept the package. Tell the delivery person Annahme verweigert, zur neuerlichen Verzollung zurück. In that case, the packages will be returned to the Paket-Postverzollung (in Vienna at Wien Südbahnhof, 1100 Wien, Wiedner Gürtel 1b). You will then receive a postcard asking you to attend the new customs inspection at the respective office. When you go to the appointment, take your passport along with you and point out that the goods are either Nachgesandte Reiseeffekte (personal belongings) or Geschenke (gifts). However, even in the latter case, the authorities may require you to pay some sort of customs duties.

Former grantees recommend that you keep track of all of your purchases (including sales slips), which you will or might take back to America. This may help to avoid customs difficulties upon your return to the US.

Many items are available on www.amazon.de and can be delivered to Austria for little or no additional charge. Check www.willhaben.at for second hand items, from furniture to bicycles.

3. | INTERNET ACCESS AND E-MAIL ACCOUNTS

Students enrolled at universities (once they are registered and have a Matrikelnummer) should obtain a registration form from their university computing center (EDV Zentrum). The procedures vary, but registration is generally done on-line. Once you have registered, you will receive an e-mail address and access to all university computing facilities.

You may also establish an account with a local provider (consult google). It is advisable to shop around and compare the various offers and rates (dial-up connections vs. flat rates). Most telephone providers (such as https://www.tele2.at, http://www.telering.at, https://www.a1.net, or www.upc.at to name only some of the biggest companies) offer internet access and student discounts as well. A good way to start is to compare the rates at https://www.tarife.at/.

Some mobile phone companies offer special rates for mobile internet access as well. Please make sure to check the duration of the contract, as some require you to sign up for a minimum of 24 months. Some also have USB sticks that connect to the internet, including pay-as-you-go versions.

An increasing number of bars and restaurants offer w-lan access for their customers and modalities vary.

WIL, 18-19, p 14 http://www.freewave.at/hotspots (at hotels, cafes, bars) http://qspot.quintessenz.at/ http://www.t-mobile.at

The following is a private blog that keeps an updated and fairly comprehensive list of w- lan hotspots in bars, pubs, cafes, and the like in Vienna and all over Austria, including a short description of the modalities: http://www.helge.at/wlan/

4. | TELEPHONES

Mobile phones: Most students purchase cellular phones (called Handys) or have their American phones ‘unlocked’ for use in Austria. Note that there are two different kinds of cell phones: regular contract phones (which usually involve at least year-long contract; a monthly bill is sent to your home address - and phones that operate with prepaid (Wertkarten), available in various denominations at the Tabaktrafik and supermarkets. All phones have to be registered with the telecommunications authorities. Cell phones are available at most electronic stores (MediaMarkt, Saturn, etc). There are several providers operating in Austria, for example www.a1.net; www.tmobile.at; www.telering.at, ; www.drei.at and www.bob.at/. Shopping around for the best rates and conditions is important! Again www.tarife.at is a good starting point.

Some grantees have opted to use their US smart phones with wireless internet only and purchase a cheap flip phone with an Austrian SIM card for actual calls.

It is also possible to get used phones from small ‘Handy Shops’ at low cost. These shops also can also unlock American phones to enable their use on Austrian networks for a small fee (usually €10-€20), and sell Wertkarten.

5. | UTILITY BILLS

Here is a recapitulation of how such bills are computed:

Gas and electricity - bills are pro-rated on last year's consumption. Utilities are generally collected by the company several times a year. The meters will be read once a year in the month indicated on the right stub of the bill in order to compare payments with actual consumption and to adjust the rates. Credit or debit notes are issued two months thereafter. In addition to the charges per unit, bills include various basic fees for meter rent, number of rooms served, etc. Your meters will be read when you move out, and you may have either additional charges or a refund depending upon what your gas and electricity use is compared to the previous tenant.

There are slight differences in unit fees and numbers of collection in the various provinces.

If you have rented a completely private apartment and you are not the direct customer of the gas and electricity company, ask your landlord to read the gas and electricity meters when you move in or read them yourself. This will give you an approximate idea how much you are using and may avoid unpleasant surprises when your landlord/lady confronts you with the respective bills.

6. | TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN VIENNA (AND ELSEWHERE)

Austrian cities have good to excellent public transportation systems. There are a number of different ticket options, depending upon how frequently you use the

WIL, 18-19, p 15 system. Einzelfahrschein (individual ticket) which can be purchased at vending machines, in the streetcar or at stations: the most expensive way to go Vorverkaufsfahrschein (pre-purchased tickets) come in blocks of five or “strips” of four to eight and are valid for one ride in one direction (including transfers) 24 Stundenkarte, 72 Stundenkarte: good for unlimited travel for a specific period of time. Visitors to Vienna might be interested in the ViennaCard, a special 72 Stundenkarte for EUR 24,90, that not only provides for unlimited access to public transport for 72 hours, but also discounts for museums and other points of interest. Wochenkarte, Monatskarte: good for unlimited travel for a week or a month. Semesterticket für Studenten: valid for one semester; you have to be under 27 years of age, submit an Inskriptionsbestätigung and show your Studentenausweis and Meldezettel. Students can also obtain monthly passes (Hochschülermonatskarten and Ferienmonatskarten). Jahreskarten cost EUR 365/year in Vienna and can be paid monthly and cancelled at any time, making them a good option for those who do not qualify for a student semester ticket.

Public transportation systems are to some extent based on the honor system, and most people have some sort of pass. Riding without a ticket or a pass is illegal, of course, and there are undercover “controllers” who make frequent spot-checks and have heard every excuse, lie, and absurdity in the book - none of which impress them. Fines for using public transportation without a ticket are around €105 for the first offense (these can skyrocket if you fail to pay within three days, and double the second time you are caught) and need to be paid immediately; otherwise, you may have further and more substantial legal problems with the Austrian authorities.

The public transportation system in Vienna includes the Straßenbahn, buses, the U-Bahn, the Schnellbahn, and city buses. Straßenbahnen, generally speaking, run around the ring or radiate from it. On the Ringstraße, they operate from approximately 5:30 a.m. until 0:30 p.m. Other lines stop running earlier. Be sure to find out exactly when your last streetcar runs (Wann geht die letzte Straßenbahn?). About forty different routes reach the Ringstraße. Buses have replaced a number of former streetcars (A after the line number). All streetcars operate without a ticket collector. You can buy a ticket from a machine in the first coach. Tickets (pre-purchased ones are cheaper) have to be validated in the Entwerter. Doors open when the correct button has been pushed. If no passengers are waiting at a station, some buses and trams will only stop if a passenger who wants to get off presses the button to ring the respective bell (red sign Wagen hält will then appear above the front window).

The subway system in Vienna (U-Bahn) is still under construction with five lines now operating:

U1 from Reumannplatz (10th district) via Stephansplatz (1st district) across the Danube to Leopoldau (21st/22nd district); U2 from Karlsplatz via the Prater to Seestadt (22nd district); U3 from Simmering (11th district) via Stephansplatz and Westbahnhof to Ottakring (16th district); U4 from Heiligenstadt (19th district) via Karlsplatz to Hütteldorf (14th district); U6 from Floridsdorf (21st district) via Westbahnhof (Gürtel) to Siebenhirten (23rd district).

The U-Bahn is probably the fastest and most convenient means of transportation in Vienna. The trains run about every five minutes from 5 am until 0:30 am, and every fifteen minutes during the night on weekends.

The Schnellbahn are convenient and fast, particularly for travel in outlying areas of the city and

WIL, 18-19, p 16 beyond. The Schnellbahn has trains running in seven to fifteen-minute intervals from 5 a.m. until 0:30 a.m. and is part of the transportation system with railroad connections to various places in Lower Austria. On all of these lines, tickets have to be punched when entering the station or track. The doors of the Schnellbahn and some U-Bahn have to be pulled open.

The Schnellbahn has special tickets and fares. However, in Vienna between Süssenbrunn, Strebersdorf, and Liesing the Schnellbahn also sells and accepts streetcar tickets allowing you to transfer to the street-car system and vice versa without having to buy a new ticket. Some private buses on the periphery accept streetcar tickets that have been validated (punched) or Vorverkaufsfahrscheine (pre-purchased tickets), but do not sell tickets.

In Vienna, a number of night buses – the so-called Nightline – operate in half-hour intervals, with most of them starting either from Schwedenplatz or Karlsplatz/Oper in the first district. For exact routes and times consult www.wienerlinien.at >> Service>>Fahrpläne >> Nightline. If you live outside of the city proper, find a couch or catch the last Schnellbahn as it is very difficult to find alternate transport after 0:30 am!

Vorverkaufsfahrscheine and Wertmarken are sold at advance-sale booths (located at main intersections), at vending machines and at most Tabaktrafiken.

7. | TRAINS

A cheap and effective way to travel in Austria is by train. The Austrian railway company ÖBB offers a special deal: The so-called “VORTEILScard” entitles you to a 45% discount on all rail travel in Austria for 12 months. The regular “VORTEILScard” is EUR 99. The “VORTEILScard 66” costs EUR 66 and is only available for online purchase for people aged 26 – 63. If you are under 26 years of age you can get a so-called “VORTEILScard<26” for EUR 19,90. You can apply for this card at any major train station or online. For train schedules please check their website at www.oebb.at

8. | TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS, SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Foreigners may use radios and television sets in Austria free of charge for up to three months. Thereafter, sets have to be registered with the Gebühreninfoservice (GIS). Since there are fewer commercials in Austria, the monthly fees maintain the networks. Registration forms (Meldung) are available at each post office and on the internet at http://www.gis.at/ (you may also register online). There is also a chance that a representative of the GIS may show up at your door and ask if you have a television or radio.

In Vienna, the present monthly fees are EUR 7,33 for a radio, and EUR 26,33 for a television set and a radio. Fees vary slightly from province to province. De-registration only becomes effective at the end of the month in which you complete your Abmeldung. It is advisable to hand in the de-registration form in person at a post office. Online de- registration is currently not available (but you can download the form online). It is a good idea to obtain the de-registration form at the beginning of your stay.

Every Thursday or Friday the daily papers publish a detailed television program for the coming week. Events of the coming week are usually listed in the Friday or Saturday editions.

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WIL, 18-19, p 17 8. Cultural Opportunities

Programs and addresses can be found on posters and in the newspapers. Friday or weekend editions carry weekly previews and references to special events and exhibitions. In Vienna and Graz, the Falter www.falter.at offers a comprehensive and diverse overview of cultural events. The Facebook page Vienna Würstelstand is useful as well: https://www.facebook.com/viennawurstelstand. Biber is also interesting: www.dasbiber.at/

The Vienna Tourist Board issues a monthly preview of events obtainable at the Tourist Information Office on Albertinaplatz (1010 Vienna). The Kulturreferat of your Student Union will inform you about student reductions, which vary from theater to theater.

Tickets for performances at larger venues can be obtained directly at the Tageskassen or be ordered via telephone or internet. http://www.culturall.com/ is a link that offers internet ticket sales of the Austrian Theater Association. Viennaclassic.com lists all upcoming performances in Vienna. Ö-Ticket http://www.oeticket.at/ offers tickets for almost all pop music and sports events throughout Austria online.

The Tageskassen of the Bundestheater in Vienna (www.bundestheater.at), i.e. Staatsoper (www.wiener-staatsoper.at), Burgtheater (www.burgtheater.at), Akademietheater, Volksoper, and Redoutensaal are open at Operngasse 2 (1010 Vienna), at the Volksoper, Währingerstr. 78 (1090 Vienna), and at the Burgtheater (for Burg- and Akademietheater only); all tel.: 514 44 - 7880. Office hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9 to 12 a.m. Tickets are sold seven days in advance, e.g. Monday for Monday.

You can also order tickets by telephone (tel.: 513 15 13, Mo-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sa, Su and holidays 9 to 12 a.m.), six days in advance, if you pay with one of the following credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard. Musikverein (http://www.musikverein.at/) Bösendorferstraße 12, 1010 Vienna; tel.: 505 81 90, Tageskassa at Karlsplatz side of building, office hours Mo-Fr 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sa 9 a.m. to 13 noon.

Konzerthaus, (http://www.konzerthaus.at/) Lothringerstraße 20, 1030 Vienna, tel.: 24200-0, Tageskassa: tel.: 24200-2, office hours Mo-Fri 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., Sa and So 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6:30 pm.

Musikalische Jugend (age limit 26) (http://www.jeunesse.at/) at Musikverein-Building Bösendorferstraße 12, 1010 Vienna, tel.: 505 6356, email: [email protected], ticket sale Mo-Fri, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; musicians willing and interested in voluntary work or singing in their choir are encouraged to contact the organization.

Office of Wiener Philharmoniker (www.wienerphilharmoniker.at) at the Musikverein- Building, Bösendorferstraße 12, 1010 Vienna, tel.: 505 65 25. All concerts are sold out to Abonnenten. But for some concerts the office compiles a waiting list on Monday for the following weekend performance for the sale of returned tickets.

Comments of former grantees on tickets for the opera and the Bundestheater:

Tickets for the opera are in such high demand that for well-cast performances it is advisable to be in line on the first day of sales about one hour before the Kassa opens, for special premieres even earlier. For some operas only two tickets are sold to one person. Opera seats in the second and third rows of the boxes (limited views in boxes 1-8) and in Galerie Halbmitte (limited view on the side but very good sound) are good bargains.

WIL, 18-19, p 18

Tickets for performances at the Bundestheater are arranged in various price groups according to the reputation of the conductor, the singers, and actors. Persons living outside Vienna can order tickets for the Bundestheater by mail at least fourteen days in advance. Such tickets (if available) will be held until one day before the performance and you will be informed accordingly.

Most of the theaters have some sort of rush tickets or Restplätze for students, generally under €10. You can usually get these a few hours before the performance. The Viennese Opera sells standing room tickets for around €3; the office is on the Ring side of the opera house and opens an hour and a half before the performance starts. You may want to get in line earlier. After buying your ticket, you need to go up to the standing room area and reserve a spot with a scarf or program, otherwise you will end up in the very back and will see nothing.

1. | AUSTRIAN FOLK DANCING

The Wiener Kathreintanz at the Kursalon Wien, Johannesgasse 33, 1010 Vienna, November 29, 18:00 - 23:30, offers a nice opportunity to watch and to practice a great variety of Austrian and international folk dances. For further information, please consult the website at: http://www.volkstanzwien.at/ http://www.volkstanzwannwo.at/kalender/ shares a list of events Austria-wide in connection with dancing and folklore.

Please note that the Universitäts-Sportinstitut (USI) also offers folk dance courses: http://www.univie.ac.at/USI-Wien/ueb/uebung.htm

2. | USEFUL ADDRESSES IN VIENNA OF PLACES FEATURING SPECIAL LECTURES, READINGS, FILM SHOWS, INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS, ETC.

Österreichische Gesellschaft für Literatur, Palais Wilczek, Herrengasse 5, 1010 Vienna http://www.ogl.at/ Tel.: 533 81 59 ([email protected])

The following institutions are of interest for those of you who are interested in contemporary Austrian and German literature: http://www.literaturhaus.at/ ; http://www.literaturhaus-graz.at/

Österreichische Gesellschaft für zeitgenössische Musik, Hanuschgasse 3, 1010 Vienna http://www.oegzm.at/ Tel.: 512 31 43 ([email protected]).

The Viennale – www.viennale.at – is Austria's most important international film event, as well as one of the oldest and best-known festivals in the German-speaking world. It takes place in Vienna from October 25 – November 8, 2018 in many different movie theaters. Make sure to reserve tickets early as shows tend to sell out very fast.

Filmmuseum, Augustinerstraße 1, 1010 Vienna (Albertina) http://www.filmmuseum.at/ tel.: 533 70 54, ([email protected]) film screenings for members (classical films, avant-garde, experimental etc. in original language) starting October, office and library open from September on. You can also purchase a one-day membership for one screening.

Kunstverein Wien in der Alten Schmiede, Schönlaterng. 9, 1010 Vienna, http://www.alte- schmiede.at/ tel.: 512 83 29, Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(literary readings and discussions) ([email protected])

WIL, 18-19, p 19

Audi Max (=Auditorium Maximum), University of Vienna (main building) and Technical University Vienna for various cultural events (comedy; travel reports, movies, etc.)

Museums are covered in various guide books. For Vienna and Salzburg, you might want to check out http://www.magwien.gv.at/ma53/museen/ and http://www.salzburg.gv.at respectively. For a comprehensive listing of Austrian museums, check out http://www.museum.at/.

3. | OPEN MARKETS IN VIENNA

These are some of Vienna’s fruit and vegetable markets (open daily, except Sundays):

Naschmarkt, between Rechte Wienzeile (1040 Vienna) and Linke Wienzeile (1060 Vienna) from Karlsplatz to Kettenbrückengasse (prices are more reasonable at outer end near Kettenbrückengasse U4); flea market at outer end every Saturday. This is the most well-known outdoor market in Vienna with stalls selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to Austrian and Turkish specialties (cheese, meat, oil, exotic spices).

Brunnenmarkt, Brunnengasse off Thaliastraße, 1160 Vienna. Similar to the Naschmarkt, with less variety and cheaper. Here you can also find the biggest (and best) Turkish restaurant in town, the Kent (Brunnengasse 67).

Markthalle, corner of Landstraßer Hauptstraße and Invalidenstraße, 1030 Vienna.

Rochusmarkt, Landstraßer-Hauptstraße between Erdbergerstraße and Rasumofskystraße, 1030 Vienna.

Karmelitermarkt, Leopoldgasse/Haidgasse, 1020 Vienna. (U2 Taborstrasse) Very small on weekdays, but a nice selection from local farmers on Friday and Saturday mornings and the home of Slow Food Vienna.

4. | VACATION TRIPS, SKI CAMPS, TRAVEL

When planning vacation trips, including ski camps, first consult one of the organizations specifically arranging programs for students:

Universitäts-Sportinstitut – USI - (Institute of Physical Education) of your university (regrettably some skiing camps are fully booked on the first day of registration)

Graz: https://sportinstitut.uni-graz.at/ Innsbruck: http://www.uibk.ac.at/usi/ Klagenfurt: http://usi.uni-klu.ac.at/ Linz: www.usi.jku.at/ Salzburg: http://usi.uni-salzburg.at/das-usi/ Wien: http://www.univie.ac.at/USI-Wien/

WIL, 18-19, p 20 Büro für Studentenreisen, Schreyvogelgasse 3, 1010 Vienna (across main building of university), tel.: 533 35 89

STA Travel (formerly ÖKISTA; Österreichisches Komitee für Internationalen Studienaustausch) www.statravel.at Garnisongasse 7, 1090 Vienna, tel.: (01) 401 48-6000

Should you wish to rent ski equipment (skis, poles and boots), expect a deposit to be required which will be refunded when the equipment is returned. The earlier you make your rental arrangements, the better equipment you will get. Usually, ski equipment can be rented at larger skiing centers. We suggest that you buy inexpensive equipment if you expect to restrict your skiing to your year in Austria.

Most sport shops, especially the smaller ones, sell second-hand equipment or last year's models at discount prices and will accept repairs.

You can ask at your Hochschülerschaft about shops that give discounts to students.

The Austrian railroad company (Österreichische Bundesbahnen or ÖBB www.oebb.at ) offers a variety of reductions, e.g. the VORTEILScard (see above), the Eurodomino, Inter-Rail Tickets (up to 26), etc. Most Europeans travel second class. Seat reservations (Platzkarten) can be purchased up to two months in advance at railroad stations or travel agents (specifically recommended for holiday and peak seasons). In short, when planning a train ride, it is advisable to ask for the ideal ticket for your special needs at the railroad station.

Students should obtain an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) (issued by STA Travel) entitling them to various reductions such as museum or other entrance fees, not only in Austria but also abroad. Youth Hostel fans should join the Österreichischer Jugendherbergsverband, https://www.oejhv.at/en/home/ where lists of hostels in Austria and abroad are obtainable (international membership recommended).

Hotel guides, tourist pamphlets, etc. are available at the various travel bureaus or Fremdenverkehrsämter. A number of countries operate tourist offices in Vienna, where such material is obtainable free of charge for the respective country.

If you want to plan ahead you can have a look at http://www.austria.info

It is advisable to always check visa requirements when planning a trip to another country!

5. | UPCOMING AUSTRIAN HOLIDAYS AND CUSTOMS

October 26 is the Austrian National Day (Staatsfeiertag), on which many fly the Austrian flag. The Austrian Parliament introduced it to commemorate the declaration of permanent neutrality in 1955. Some government buildings in Vienna (Parliament, President’s office in the Hofburg, etc) can be toured for free on this day, and you can often meet the president or members of Parliament there.

November 1, Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day) - according to Catholic rites it is a day of prayer and dedication to the saints.

November 2, Allerseelen (All Souls’ Day) was introduced in 1006 by Pope John XIX as a day to commemorate the dead. Most people visit the cemeteries to adorn the graves of their

WIL, 18-19, p 21 beloved ones with candles and flowers (some people also light candles at home). Please note: only schools and universities are closed. If you intend to visit some Austrian cemeteries, it is best to go around November 1 when the graves are adorned with candles and flowers. The Zentralfriedhof in Vienna, the largest cemetery, is worth seeing. Take streetcar 71, from Schwarzenbergplatz, get off at Zweites Tor. You will find the graves of some famous composers, artists, and well- known politicians in a special area near Lueger Kirche (Ehrengräber).

6. | TRADITIONAL LEOPOLDI-FASSELRUTSCHEN IN KLOSTERNEUBURG

November 15, the day of St. Leopold, the patron saint of Lower Austria, is a most welcome occasion for many Viennese to visit the nearby monastery of Klosterneuburg and the vault of its saintly founder. The evening is spent at the Stiftskeller where guests join for merry wine-drinking and the traditional Fasselrutschen (sliding down a huge barrel which was constructed in 1704).

The historic background of this very old custom is a bit unclear, but the first documentary information dates back to the early Middle Ages when the great minnesinger Walther von der Vogelweide sang his ballads at the Vienna Court and - as the chronicler reports - liked to ride on a huge barrel.

Presumably at the time of the Roman Empire, vines were planted in the area of Klosterneuburg. In the Middle Ages, numerous vineyards were rented to Viennese citizens who had to pay a certain share of their harvest as a tribute to the monastery of Klosterneuburg. Thus, a considerable quantity of wine entered the Stiftskeller justifying the manufacturing of such a huge wine barrel.

If you go to Klosterneuburg be sure to visit the Monastery with its famous Verduner Altar. The Augustiner Chorherrenstift was founded by the Babenberger Markgraf Leopold III the Saint in 1106. The Verduner Altar, the most famous enameled work of the Middle Ages (Nikolaus of Verdun, 1181), shows religious scenes from the Old and the New Testament. But be prepared for crowds of people if you go on November 15.

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9. Photos and stories

Fulbright Austria informs its stakeholders, including the Austrian and US governments, its institutional partners, and the general public, about the activities and achievements of its grantees and alumni on an ongoing basis. Therefore, we always appreciate photos, as well as information about upcoming grantee lectures, recitals, concerts, participation in seminars, special research projects, and the like. Please like and follow us on social media and use the hashtag #fulbrightaustria.

• https://www.facebook.com/austria.fulbright/ • https://twitter.com/Fulbright_AUT • https://www.instagram.com/fulbrightaustria/

After finishing your time in Austria, you are invited to share your story on our website: http://www.fulbright.at/fulbright-forever/

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