For the first week or so of my stay at the Lederhaus, my only Wi-Fi came out of a glowing blue transportable box that worked better as a night light than an Internet source. Lets just say I became well-acquainted with that little dinosaur on the cannot load page. After one very dark week, the Leherhaus got Wi-Fi throughout the building. I thought it would be my salvation, but I must admit that it’s not always the best wifi either. However, I’ve been able to do everything I need with the two options available to me, be it sending important emails or watching Netflix. That hurdle thankfully seems to have worked itself out.
Some of you may know that Northeastern is doing a new program this year where they give you free cell phones abroad. Yup, you read that right. I got a free iPhone. I tragically have to give it back at the end, but still, it’s a good deal. The phone can’t be used for nonemergency calls, and texts are so expensive that they’re out of the question. However, iMessages, Facebook messenger, and calling and chat apps like Whatsapp work fine, because the phone has unlimited data. So far, I’ve had great luck with the Whatsapp calling feature, which has provided much higher quality audio and connections than the name would suggest. It may sound a little sketchy, but it’s an impressive product.
Others in my study abroad program have purchased sim cards or new phones. This presents a bit of an issue, as some people here can only text but don’t have data. Since I have the opposite capabilities of some people, it presents some hurdles, but it was so convenient to get off my transatlantic flight and already have a working device. Plus, iMessages can be a great option for texting without actually texting.
In terms of other tech amenities, there’s a printer in the dorm and, as of a few days ago, in the Salzburg College office, though the latter is off to a rocky start with some technical hiccups. However, my school is pretty devoted to the Dropbox way of life, so I don’t have to print much. It’s greener that way anyway, and trust me, the Austrians are an environmentally friendly bunch.
The technology transition has been smooth for me. After all, isn’t technology supposed to be bringing different cultures together? Turns out, it’s all pretty similar and easy to work with. The one catch? The keyboards! The computer keyboards in Austria have several differences from their American counterparts, the most frustrating of which are the swapped Y and Z keys. Next time you’re struggling to write an essay, remember that I type most of this on an Austrian keyboard. Zou will never understand mz pain!
