Alice is studying Modern Languages and European Studies (French and German) at the University of Bath, and after spending the first semester of her year abroad 
as an Erasmus student in France, studying politics at the Université de Strasbourg, she is now a Language assistant in Vienna. Here is a day in her life...

Ellie Buchdahl gives us her secret guide to all things food, entertainment and plain lush Vienna has to offer...

Ah Vienna, Vienna. Home of Habsburg palaces, of whirling waltzes, of film noir ferris wheels and slabs of cake so rich that just thinking about them makes your eyes bulge.

Trust me - Vienna is THE choice destination for those of you wanting to spend your year abroad in a German-speaking country. Ignore all the snide comments from the red-black-and-gold brigade across the border - known 'affectionately' by the Austrians as 'Piefke' in reference to the old Prussian spike helmets those Germans used to wear. The accent is a challenge to start off with, but is not incomprehensible - actually, I think it's much nicer than standard German. Think sexy Irish as opposed to standard British BBC accent. And never let anyone believe Austrians are unfriendly or rude. I made some of my best friends ever in Vienna. While yes, the classic Viennese waiter can take snobbery to an extreme even the Count of Monte Cristo would be shocked by, I was never made to feel unwelcome, and was amazed at how quickly people accepted me, encouraged my dodgy German - and how keen people were to practise their English once my courage failed me.