Unfortunately, a lot has changed again here in Salzburg. However, I spent a weekend in Vienna and went to the Christmas market. This was incredibly beautiful and also seeing the city was great. I also met a lot of nice people in Vienna and it was a great weekend for me. However, things changed quite quickly in Salzburg.
There was initially a lockdown for unvaccinated people, which changed to a "for all" just a week later. The universities closed their doors from one day to the next and changed rather quickly to distance learning, which came as quite a surprise to me, since all the time they were still trying to keep everything possible in attendance. And there I was: a study abroad student again in a lockdown and distance learning. Dependent on very good internet and technical devices, like a camera, so that at least the last bit of interpersonal contact could be maintained.
The university has set distance learning until the beginning of January 2022, but it is uncertain how it will go on after that. To be honest, it is quite difficult and one feels overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with all the regularly changing rules, from the loneliness and the pressure to perform that weighs on you despite the difficult situation. Unfortunately, you can't do much except go for a walk, but you should always make the best of it.
I am walking quite a lot and enjoying the extraordinary nature in and around Salzburg and try to gain some strength from it and hope; hope for a return of a "more normal" life than it is now back here in Salzburg. I hope that I will be able to tell you more positive experiences in my next report.
See you very soon,
Sara Alessandra Scheibel