April 29, 2025
My favorite part of the day was stepping out of my comfort zone. I learned that I can talk to people, and I also learned how to walk for a long time even when I felt bored.
My favorite part of the day was when we were all on the bumper cars—everyone was having so much fun! It was such a hype moment. At the same time, I feel like I learned a lot about Vienna and its history. The museum was really experiential and meaningful, while the water slide and bus rides were both chill and fun
My favorite part of the day was going on the rafts—I had so much fun and got to talk to people I hadn’t connected with before. I also really enjoyed the carnival because I had a great time hanging out with friends and going on cool rides in a new place.
The part that stuck with me the most was the area with the statues outside the symphony. It was powerful because we were standing above the very place where people had died trying to stay safe. They had taken shelter underground during a bombing, but when the bomb hit directly above them, they were buried alive. The memorials above them serve as a haunting reminder of the tragic cost of war and the pain it leaves behind.
This was right above the synagogue, and I thought it was really cool that parts of the original walls were still standing and had been preserved. I had so much fun white water rafting—it was such a great experience! I also enjoyed seeing all the Jewish sites and learning that Vienna is a safe and welcoming place for Jewish people.
Something that stuck with me was that flipping over in a raft can be really fun—but it’s also a little dangerous! I also learned that Vienna is a very old and large city, and that its leaders worked to make it a safe haven for Jews.”
One thing that stuck with me was how old Vienna is and how much interesting history it holds—especially about the Jewish people. One reason this stood out to me is that, aside from during World War II, Jewish people were generally safe in the city of Vienna.
At the museum, I learned about the Court Jews. Since wars and royal splendor were very expensive, the emperor invited a few financially successful Jews to Vienna shortly after the Jewish community had been expelled in 1670. These individuals were granted special privileges and protection that were not given to their poorer fellow Jews.
One experience that really stuck with me was the white water rafting. It was so cool to paddle through the waves—it felt exciting and different compared to being on still water.