Graz, Austria

As the summer comes to an end, Sofiya and I would like to extend our many thanks and gratitude to our wonderful students, host families, and families back in Indiana. This summer was one for the scrapbooks, and I know that everyone involved will remember it fondly. Watching the students grow in not only their language skills, but their confidence in tackling new surroundings and challenges, persevering through personal challenges, and seeing that they truly do have the potential to achieve anything they set their minds to was truly inspiring.

A picture looking down a canal with gondolas

The summer leading up to one's senior year, or as they head off to college, is always a nerve wracking and stressful experience, as our students see the world around them changing in ways they never expected.

This summer easily taught the students that anything is possible when they set their minds to it.

Though it can be extremely hard to leave the safety of home during these challenging and life changing times, our students took the risk of a personal challenge, and the risk paid off. Not only did they learn how to overcome the struggles of being in a new environment, such as Graz, but they learned how to collaborate with others from various backgrounds, as we saw in VinziDorf and VinziMarkt, how to problem solve real world issues, such as assisting the Ukrainian refugees, and how to make the best of every scenario. We could not be prouder of the students and all that they have accomplished.

All of the students set goals for themselves at the beginning of the summer, and whether they were language based or personal goals, I am confident in the belief that they were able to achieve their goals. This summer easily taught the students that anything is possible when they set their minds to it, and that with guidance and assistance from those around them, the most fun, fulfilling and enriching experiences can be had.

Graz, Austria

Graz, Austria

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