I feel like I have been living here for months.
Everything is so familiar and easy. Besides the adventure of actually getting here, it has been smooth sailing.

1. Employment
Two years ago, when I first left Canada on this adventure of a lifetime, and before settling down in Malta, I stopped for a few weeks in Vienna. Vienna was always my dream, and I knew one day I would settle here.
So I started applying to various jobs with my beginner German, with one café offering me conditional employment. They were really happy with my interview, but the condition was that I needed to get the work permit myself.
Quite a bummer, I thought, and proceeded to apply for jobs in Malta instead. In fact, the main reason I ended up staying on the island instead of Austria, was the simple fact that my Maltese employer would handle the work permit on my behalf.
How different things would be, if I tried a little bit harder in Austria. I spent the last two years living in Malta, learning a lot, having fun, but also yearning for something different.
That something was Vienna. I could just feel it in my gut.

So once I finally got all the paperwork ready to make the move to Vienna, this February 2023, I decided to reach out to the café from a few years ago. This restaurant was the Hard Rock Café.
They were still hiring (I guess they always are), and gave me another interview. By this time, the management had changed, but I still made a good impression. In fact, during my interview, I asked when I could hear back, and he said “Right now, do you want the job?”
I was gleaming. I realized that this place took their workers seriously, with a fair wage and scheduling system. Oh, and of course I automatically get 5 weeks of paid vacation leave.
Yea, I’m not joking. The working conditions in Europe are just so much superior to North America, because even an entry-level job automatically gives you benefits.
I am officially signing the contract tomorrow (24h per week), and starting on the 30th of March! I’m really excited.
I also am doing a bit of freelancing (tutoring, teaching swimming, piano etc), but I will get into that some other time.

2. Housing
As you may know, I’m currently living with a kind Canadian-Austrian couple that moved to Vienna just before Covid. They saw my post on Facebook that I was coming from Canada, an up-and-coming musician, and that I was a bit pressed for housing.
Arthur and Lara gladly offered their spare room for a few weeks until I found my own place.
Although it’s only been a week, I already feel like we have established a genuine friendship. We go on tangents on the most random subjects, and Arthur, having gone through a similar path as me, has been helping me with my residency.

Arthur cooks often (he is a chef by profession and loves to do it on his free time as well), and these meals are to die for. The other day he made butter chicken with Naan, completely from scratch.
Lara is starting her physiotherapy studies soon, but otherwise has offered to help me start my fitness journey! And Arthur has made it his mission to teach me a whole level of German throughout the month of April. I’m game!
Fortunately (or unfortunately), I have found another place to live at permanently, and I will move there at the end of April. It was a very nice coincidence, as I had posted a similar post on another group on Facebook, and this sweet Bulgarian girl reached out and said they were looking for a roommate.

Her flat was a STEAL. Best location (7th district, where ALL the best cafés and artsy shops are), a spacious room, friendly roommates, and very affordable rent! Most of the roommates have been there for years, so having a vacancy was pure luck. I’m already daydreaming about how I will set up my room bohemian style (once I actually start making money lol).
I had to put down quite a lot of money for this flat, including 2 months worth of a deposit, first month rent AND a fee for all the furniture that comes with it (which will be fully mine, so I can sell it as I please). I know this will all be worth it (it already is).
3. Choir
I had my first rehearsal with the Wiener Philharmonischer Chor on Tuesday, and it was beautiful. First of all, we were about double the amount of people as when I joined 3 years ago (60 vs 30). Second, the sight-reading level was so high, that I was totally impressed. I would say one of my best qualities in terms of music is my sight-reading skills. And now I found a place that will challenge me even more.
I also made my first few choir friends, Agnes and Geo. Agnes sings second soprano with me, and was kind enough to share her music with me on my first day. She comes from a small town in upper Austria.
At one point, the director, Vijay, asked us all to move around and mix, so that we could have a challenge while singing. I found myself beside Geo, a tenor, who I later spent a few hours talking to!

Georgiy is from Sofia (I’ve been having way too many Bulgarian encounters lately), he swims, (obviously he sings), and we both have a similar humour. His girlfriend is studying in Munich, so he has a good reason to learn German as well.
With the choir, we will be singing Brahms Requiem and Carmina Burana, and in October we are planning a tour in India! I cannot wait.
4. Settling In
Even though I have been extremely busy (3-4 errands a day), I haven’t lost my positive attitude, and always find something to be grateful for. I started to make friends here and there, and I can slowly start to see my life unfolding from a dream into reality.
I’m honestly very happy here. It’s the first time that I truly see myself staying permanently somewhere, without even a need to really travel. I probably still WILL travel, but my focus and priority is to create a home right here.
I am going back to Malta for a week to say my final goodbyes and collect my remaining things, and then it’s officially the start of my new chapter of my life.
Thank you for following me this far, let’s see what the future brings <3

Great stuff Anastasiya, this entry wraps so many emotions! May things go as they have to, and that you continue embracing it so well.
Thanks for the kind words, Elias. I’m great you could follow me on this emotional and adventurous journey. Keep up your positive and mindful outlook on life 🙂
More details on the choir, tutoring and Cafe sound really intriguing!
They will come when they happen to me! 😀
I am so happy for you Anastasiya, wish you from my heart the very best of life. So looking forward to seeing you again soon! Keep on shining! Namaste!
Thank you dearest Paul. Looking forward to seeing you soon in Malta!