Robert Courteau

ThisIsLiving

Robert Courteau

I have just graduated from Bishop's University (Sherbrooke, Canada) with an Economics degree. Because of my insane passion for food, I have always wanted to go visit various regions of the world to taste the different cuisines.

Out of the blue, I spoke to a friend of mine online and asked her how living in Europe was working out. In the conversation, I mentioned I wanted to maybe work in Europe as well, and she told me about a job with a intergovernmental organization, OSCE, in Vienna Austria.

I applied and just a month later, here I am starting (what I hope to be) the best 4 months of my life. My plane left Montreal airport at 9pm on August 25th, 2010 and my ticket to return is just before Christmas - December 23rd.

If you want to know how everything goes in between those dates, stay tune, and I'll be sure to update you on this great adventure. Vienna, Austria, Europe... here I come!

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15 Days remain...

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna December 8th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Dear readers, It is with much sadness that I inform you of my European departure in a quick 15 days. No matter! I feel it is time to return where I belong - to my great nation - the true North, strong and free. It's time to reconnect with Canadians, it's time to reconnect to reality. My time in Vienna has been astounding - but as I answer to people who ask if I will you miss Europe, "I will miss Europe when I am home as much as I miss Canada while here." The only difference of course is that I belong in Canada. Even after seeing amazing Europe - I cannot seem to quit thinking that it is Canada which is the best country in the World. It really is "true Patriot love." Some ... read more

Exactly 3 Weeks Left

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna December 2nd 2010

ThisIsLiving

THREE WEEKS LEFT!!!!!!! I just cannot believe my time here is coming to an end. The people I have met while here are absolutely amazing and awesome. Never have I been able to talk about economics, politics and current affairs so much in every sitting. I will miss this for sure! I'm happy how it is coming to an end though. I have my final 'big trips' finished now, and it's time to say goodbye to friends, finish up some work, and take in as much of Vienna as I can. It's only too perfect that I have these months as my internship. When I landed it was sunny and hot, and I was able to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt - sitting on patios eating delicious food with Allison and her friends ... read more

38 days left! Paris! Prague!

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna November 15th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Well! This time I am not going to apologize for taking time to write. It's only been two weeks, and I have been very busy! But - I have stuff to talk about for sure. Two trips in two weeks, and work work work. Work - starting with the boring The Review Conference ended when I wrote my last post. When it ended, I was stuck in more meetings for a few days - Permanent Council, budget presentations, etc. Finally I got time to write up the reports that I needed to do and get them out of the way. Long boring days to say the least. With the budget presentations, each program in the organization presented their budget proposal for 2011 and explained why they (always!) needed an increase. Time consuming and tiring to hear ... read more

Half Way Complete...

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna October 27th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Allow me first to start with my realization that I have been here two months and one day. And I have two months minus 4 days remaining. I cannot believe how fast everything is going! I feel like I just got here! But, I suppose I have been to Oktoberfest and Amsterdam, celebrated Canadian thanksgiving, lived in three different apartments and had roughly 500 cups of coffee. I should create a checklist of the things that remain to be completed with my time here in Europe. (Paris, Dublin, Sicily, Prague, Bratislava, real Guinness, more soups, hot punch, stuffing competition with Eliza, Prater wheel, Shonbrun park, plus a many bars, cafes and restaurants to attend). Amsterdam! What's to say that hasn't already been said before? It was amazing! But in a very tiring sort of way. I ... read more

Long Post covering 2Weeks!!

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna October 13th 2010

ThisIsLiving

I apologize (like I do every week) for my inconsistency of writing. I promise you I have a reason (see: new home!). There is a lot to talk about in this post, as it has been an eventful two weeks with much more coming soon, so I will get right into the details. Stammtisch Stammtisch: noun. A rough English translation meaning 'The Regular Table.' A traditional gathering of 'regulars', typically men, once a week at the same bar. The gathering is often encouraged by the bar hanging or displaying the beer mugs of the regulars throughout the week and reserving the table. The Vienna interns hold a Stammtisch every week. However, unlike the self-defined definition above, it is a gathering of both men and women from a large variety of nations, and each week it is ... read more

Oktoberfest!!

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna September 27th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Once again - sorry dear readers for not writing in a week! Many people have been asking questions and I have been saying "Check my blog, I'll write soon" and have not. Let me first talking about my past weekend - my Oktoberfest adventure! Then I will move on to work, Vienna and all questions etc. OKTOBERFEST Imagine it - I escape work early in order to get home on time to pack for the weekend (I couldn't do before for reasons that will be explained in 'Vienna'). Eliza meets me there and we head out to Westbanhof, the train station. We get there with one pair of clothes in our packs, a blanket and some bread, cheese and meat for the ride's dinner. The train is supposed to leave at 6:20, but it's running late ... read more

Italian shnitzel and Oktoberfest prep

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna September 17th 2010

ThisIsLiving

I must first apologize, dear readers, this post will not only be short - but rather frivolous in content. I spent much of this week relaxing and enjoying time to myself to just lie in bed. I had put off a few chores throughout the week, like laundry and ironing, and it was also time for such heart-breaking manual labour. But, Alas! It is now complete! I went out to eat two dinners this week - one was with Eliza, the other with a group of interns. Both with slightly disappointing endings. Eliza and I wanted to FINALLY try WienerShnitzel, the famous Vienna shnitzel. Aka, veal (or pork or chicken) battered in bread crumbs and fried. While searching for a restaurant we got approached by a waiter at a restaurant and he asked if we wanted ... read more

An evening with Mozart

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna September 13th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Dear readers, It warms my heart to inform you that I have successfully transitioned to the Viennese way of life. As I write to you, I am enjoying a delicious pastry as well as an espresso, and listening to the likes of Mozart and Strausse - all at work. It's hard to beat this lifestyle. I told you I would write you about my weekend, and I shall do just that. Following my wonderful recount of the weekend, I will answer some of the questions which have been left by some readers. So make sure you read them, as you may have wanted to know the answer as well. The Weekend On Friday, once work was complete my two fellow interns and I decided to part for a happy-hour beer with our fellow coworker and boss, ... read more

The Two Week Mark!

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna September 10th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Hello Dear Readers, I am now on my last day of Week #2!! And yet... I feel I have yet to have seen anything! At first I was so preoccupied with finding my ground and my way around the city, and now I'm working everyday. But no matter! Today is Friday and the beginning of a new weekend! I will explore as much as I can and update you as soon as I can. But as of now I can talk about the Hofburg Palace - one of the main sites for tourists - if not THE site for tourists. And, who would have guessed it would be the location of all my meetings! It feels amazing to sit in a room and discuss all sorts of topics while chandeliers with diameters longer than my armspan ... read more

Sept 6 - the "real world"

Europe » Austria » Vienna » Vienna September 6th 2010

ThisIsLiving

Dear followers - sorry for not updating you in a while. I am unable to blog at work, and my internet is currently down at home. So, I've been busy touring the city and having a good time instead of being online. That being said, I have a lot to say and not much time to say it (before my battery dies). I suppose I will begin with work. I started my first day last Wednesday (Sept 1st) and have had three days in total thus far. First day I met everyone and did a whole lot of security clearance stuff. Nothing overly great or spectacular. The people on the other hand are awesome. It's good to know that I have people around me who share that specific "Canadian humor" that I have. Not many people ... read more

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