Roberto Armena, HBA ’25, recently spent a semester on exchange at WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) in Vienna, Austria, through the HBA Exchange Program. In his blog below, he reflects on the lessons he gained from adapting to a new culture, connecting with peers from around the world, and navigating both the challenges and rewards of life abroad. From experiencing initial culture shock to embracing Austria’s slower pace of life, collaborating in a truly global classroom, and travelling to 16 different countries, Armena shares how his time in Vienna expanded his perspectives and strengthened his confidence in tackling the unknown.
An eye-opening introduction to Austrian life
As exciting as my first week was, settling into a new life in Vienna also came with challenges. My first weekend, I discovered that nearly everything – from grocery stores to restaurants, and even the local pharmacy – was closed on Sundays. During my first restaurant visit, I (wrongly) assumed the servers were “cold” and inattentive. Over time, I came to understand that Austrians value privacy and prefer a more relaxed pace of life compared to what I’m used to in Canada. This wasn’t inherently better or worse – just a different way of living. By the end of the semester, many things that once felt frustrating actually became aspects of Austrian culture I appreciated and now miss the most.
A global classroom
Although I was studying in Vienna, I was surrounded by people from all over the world. In my apartment, I lived with exchange students from France and Mexico. In a single group project, I might work with classmates from Turkey, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and, of course, Austria. Every single interaction – whether in project meetings or over dinner with my international roommates – taught me something new about how different cultures live and think.
Lessons beyond the lecture hall
One of the highlights of my exchange was the chance to travel. I visited 16 different countries during my semester abroad, each one offering new experiences and learning opportunities. From accidentally taking the wrong train and ending up in a remote Polish town with no English speakers or access to Uber, to hiking solo in Montenegro and getting lost in the mountains after dark, I faced plenty of situations that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Beyond providing funny stories to bring home, these moments taught me how to navigate uncertainty and rely when it mattered most.
Applying my exchange to the real world
Going on exchange is so much more than simply travelling for five months. I still can’t believe I lived in a new country for an entire semester, adapted to unfamiliar customs that became second nature, and built lasting relationships with people whose backgrounds are completely different from mine. I left Vienna with a better understanding of myself and a deeper appreciation for different perspectives.
As I enter the workforce, I plan to carry that same open-mindedness into my career. When I find myself working with diverse teams or navigating unfamiliar situations, I’ll draw not only on what I learned in the classroom over the past five years, but also on the invaluable real-world lessons from my time in Vienna.
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