Austria, here we come (again)

In 2012-2013 we lived in Austria for one full year. Annika was in 4th grade, Niki and Britta in pre-K, and my 2 goals (language immersion and maximum time with Mimi and Opa) were easily met. We didn’t travel outside of Austria a lot – the girls were quickly consumed by school, ski team, gymnastics, etc – but it was a fantastic experience for all.

I thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity (as a family), so I didn’t manage the details: ship the car, packed with our belongings? Sure! Take the dogs? Sure! Leave our house empty? Sure! Spend a lot of money? Sure!

Flash forward to Dec 2018, when Annika (10th grade at the time) says at the dinner table “I think we should go to Austria again for a year”, to which Andrea, Niki and Britta cheer on in the affirmative. I’m taken aback; I can’t believe Annika at 16 would want to leave her friends, also during an important (Junior) year in terms of college.

I’ve come to understand that Annika is not enjoying school much at all; she has friends but not a lot of close one’s, so her leaving is not actually giving up a lot.

Niki is similar; she’s had a terrible year (4th grade) with Mrs. Plapp, and unfortunately associates that negativity with the entire school and Tahoe in general.

Thus my concern is that they want more to leave Tahoe than to go to Salzburg. Plus, as was the case in 2012, their language skill with German is entirely acceptable (and will easily improve) with speaking, but no where near grade level for reading and writing. School will be a challenge.

Well, almost (for Annika). Since she must receive credit to complete her High School requirements, were she to go to a local school she would then also have to attend online school to satisfy her US requirements (English, History, Math, etc). So the decision, really the only option, is that Annika attend a private American International School (which is pricey).

Back in Dec 2018 we set a deadline of March 1st to verify all the planning (school in particular) before deciding if we will/can go or not; that date blows by. We then set a date of April 15; that date blows by. Andrea’s life motto of “why do today what you can do tomorrow?” plays a part. We still don’t (as of end of April 2019) have a definite “yes” for the twins, in terms of a school, but we’ve decided last night we will go.

What I’m confident of:

– Language immersion. This will be a good thing.

– Mimi and Opa. This too will be a good thing; as they continue to age quality time will be more rare, so this is worthy.

– Overall experience. The girls are comfortable enough with Salzburg that the cultural experience will continue to grow.

What I’m less confident of:

– School (Annika). It’s not obvious to me that Annika will flourish, personally. There is no guaranteed reason why she will have better personal experiences with girls at the International School in Salzburg more so than her longtime friends in Tahoe.

– School (Annika). I have no idea how attractive 11th grade at an International School is to potential colleges. Regardless of grades, Colleges may see it as not very rugged, with more play time than work time.

– School (twins). I’m really concerned about language. In 2012 Annika had difficulty the first half of her 4th grade school year (but to her credit she shined the second half) owing to German, but now Niki and Britta will be in 6th grade with more developed ego’s which need to succeed. For them to stumble the first half of 6th grade will be much more difficult to manage (much of which will have to be handled by Andrea, specific to the language).

– Britta. She’s sorta the innocent victim here. She’s happy with Tahoe, school, skiing, gymnastics, soccer, friends. She’s excited to go but also a little apprehensive, as she will be giving up all those things – more than Annika and Niki.

My last concern, less so, is Life. The girls (mostly Niki and Britta) complain sometimes about life (too busy, tired of snow, blah blah blah). But in Austria they will be giving up a lot of things they take for granted, from entertainment (Alexa, Netflix, etc) to sports (trampoline, gymnastics, soccer). They won’t be as busy, either, But maybe this will be a good lesson; go without the things they assume, and upon our return maybe they won’t assume as much.

The last question mark concerns (my) work and money. In 2012 my boss allowed the move and it was essentially not managed through HR (pay remained in $ to my US bank account). It was super easy but likely not super appropriate. This time around (new position, new boss) it won’t be so half-hazard so I still have to work out the details.

And since this isn’t a “once in a lifetime opportunity” any longer, I’m paying more attention to finances (paying $8K to send a car there and back, or spending $10K to leave our Tahoe house empty, for example). This will affect the experience to some degree, but hopefully not as much. It could be that the girls don’t (formally) participate in gymnastics or skiing, such that there won’t be as many weekend trip to the mountains or gym competitions. More time in Salzburg, on bikes. 🙂

To be continued…