Thirteenth Week - Bratislava and Vienna

This past week consisted of some traveling as well as preparing my term projects and starting to review lessons for the upcoming exams.

I don’t have much to report relating to school as my classes have ended and I’ve yet to begin my final exams.  If you plan on studying at Rouen Business School, the examination information isn’t available immediately as you register for a course (as it is at the University of Windsor). I received my exam information on September 30^th, which was about two weeks into my classes.  For this year, the exam schedules are:

• December 5 to December 22 for the Master Program (MGE)
• December 12 to December 23 for the BSc in International Business Program

I was a bit worried that my exams would drag on until December 22^nd as it could, but I was fortunate enough to have my last exam on December 16^th.  This will give me a few days to (hopefully) travel some more before returning home for Christmas. 

I visited Slovakia and Austria this past weekend.  As some of you may know, I was born in Slovakia and immigrated to Canada when I was five. This exchange has given me the perfect opportunity to visit my family members that still live in Slovakia, which was a great opportunity as I haven’t seen some of them in quite a few years. During the holiday season, many European cities host Christmas Markets. Bratislava and Vienna, the two major cities that I visited this past weekend, were no exception.  

A typical Christmas Market in Bratislava. During the cold winter, the mulled wine is a great way to warm yourself up!

Near the city center, many cities have tents up and traditional Christmas gifts are sold by various vendors.  Among the items you can buy at the markets are Christmas ornaments, slippers, hats, scarves, homemade books, as well as traditional Christmas desserts.  Unique to me was the offering of ‘mulled wine’ at these markets.  These wines are mixed with various spices and are served hot.  It’s a great drink to sip on during the really cold days. 

A picture of the flags of the United Nations' 193 member states.

In Vienna, my favourite spot was the United Nations Office at Vienna. It is one of the four United Nations Offices (with the other three offices in New York City, Geneva, and Nairobi).  Among its agencies, the Vienna office holds the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nation Industrial Development Organization, International Narcotics Control Board, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes. I was lucky enough to witness a United Nations Industrial Development Organization conference between the United Nations' 193 member states. 

A picture of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's conference.

Next Tuesday I’ll be in between my final exams, but I’ll try my best to write about my adventures as usual.