“Herzlich Willkommen!” - 4CITIES Welcome Day

For the 15th time, a 4CITIES cohort has arrived in Vienna, bringing with it the joy of meeting new people from around the world, once again. But this year is special as it is the largest ever cohort – with 44 students spending their semester at the Department of Geography and Regional Research (IfGR). To support the student’s transition to a new urban landscape, the 4CITIES team of the Urban Studies Working Group at University of Vienna organized a Welcome Week filled with insightful talks and enlightening excursions.

On the Welcome Day, Vienna showed itself from a particularly pleasant side by greeting students with the first spring sunshine. Vienna University Children’s Office kindly allowed us to use their facilities to introduce the 4CITIES semester’s courses and agenda. The students were also able to hear more about the venue from Martina Affenzeller, head of “DOCK for change“, which is a three-year, co-creative learning process that educates the next generation on topics related to the climate democracy, science, and entrepreneurship.

After an overview and introduction to the city of Vienna, team members Yvonne Franz, Joshua Grigsby, Walter Matznetter, and James Vandenberg invited students to share their expectations for the upcoming semester, which ranged from walking a dog in the Prater woods to exploring the many cultural activities in Vienna and engaging in thought-provoking discussions. Afterwards, the students explored the city through guided interactive “lunch walks”, discovering new and interesting urban landscapes and perspectives. At the end of the Welcome Day, the 4CITIES team supported the students with course registration and guided them through their new second home during their time in Vienna – the New Institute Building (NIG).

Images: Yvonne Franz, 2024.

Text: Hannah Szirota, 2024.