Already frustrated with the ÖOG and haven't even started!

[nunyo_bidness]

I've been accepted to study at the Uni Wien, and am now trying to arrange to learn German well enough to proceed. As part of the University Preparation Programme, I've been sent to the ÖOG for German language courses.

My interactions with them thus far have been really frustrating. Lots of crowded disorganized waiting with little or no instruction or orientation on how to go about accomplishing whatever needs to be done - signing up for the course or the placement test or getting the book or even finding my class.

I'm American and my boyfriend is from Vienna, so I have some help on my side (and someone to translate when there isn't anyone around who speaks my native language) - I can hardly imagine what it must be like for someone who is moving here without any built-in support.

Has anyone got any suggestions for how to navigate this place? What if the course itself is as unhelpful as the administration of this organization? Do I have any alternative options?

Thanks in advance..

[Cat-st]

Hi! First of all, I'm new to Wien but I already love the city! Me and my boyfriend don't know almost anything of German so we signed up for an intensive course (3 hours a day for 4 days for 4 weeks, each level) in Deustch Akademie! But since it's like always booked you have to sign with much much advance. And it's good because only 10 people are allowed each course. They have all levels at 9-12, 12-15, 15-18 and 18-21 (I think). And this is the cheapest course you could find!

[WienA]

Hi Welcome to Vienna and sorry to hear about the frustrating experiences. Having lived here for a few years now, I can say I have had a lot (generally speaking). My recommendation would be to meet other English speakers there and ask those questions to them - given that they have the direct experience, you might get more useful tips.

Good luck with it all.

[Ozmatt]

Hi I also had to do the preperation program along time ago when it was at Spittelau. AT first they wanted me to do an english course - they didnt know Australians speak english.

In the end I had to do history and geography with about 30 chechnyans and nigerians. Was quite an experience. The lessons were mind numbingly basic. One thing that was helpful was it improved my german and got me used to how the qustrian style of education and tests are. Its all about rote learning - write what the professor says and never provide your own arguments.

[Tatt]

Hi I also had to do the preperation program along time ago when it was at Spittelau. At first they wanted me to do an english course - they didnt know Australians speak english...

Come on, that's a pretty easy mistake to make if they tried to speak to an Aussie in English. You could of brought a DVD of Crocodile Dundee with german subtitles so they could begin to appreciate the dialect.

[Kerstin]

1) What/who is ÖOG? I googled but it comes up with some strange explanations!
2) The University of Vienna student organisation provides German language courses, look at the ÖH
http://www.oeh.univie.ac.at/studieren/d ... an-course/

[Berg]

AT first they wanted me to do an english course - they didnt know Australians speak english.

How hilarious. And stoopid!

[CapnNismo]

I was at the ÖOG. If you have any specific questions, email me at tuamerican [AT] gmail.com.