How Our Students Learn German in Vienna – Student Interview #1: Viktoriia

Learning German in Vienna is more than just studying a language — it’s discovering a new way of life. At Ikarus Language School, our students come from all over the world to learn German, build new futures, and find their voice in Austria. In this series of student stories, we share honest experiences, challenges, and achievements from real people who decided to take the step and learn German in Vienna. Hopefully their journeys would inspire you to start your own.

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Viktoriia introduces herself

My name is Viktoriia, and I’m from Kyiv. I’ve been living in Vienna for about a month and a half. I would describe myself as spontaneous, ambitious, and cheerful.

As for my free time, I usually catch up on sleep, talk with Katya (my flatmate), or watch random series. I don’t always have the money to pursue all the hobbies I’d like, but I really enjoy dancing, reading scientific literature just for fun, and sometimes drawing.

What brought you to Vienna?

I came to Vienna because I wanted to apply to WU (Wirtschaft Universität). I’ve actually wanted that since I was 15, when I was living in Slovakia. At first, I prepared for an English-language program (BBE), but I didn’t get accepted, so I had to switch to a German-language program. My German wasn’t very good back then, but studying at WU was still my goal, and that’s ultimately what brought me here.

Where do you see yourself in five years? What would you like to be doing then?

In five years, I hope to be traveling and earning a few thousand euros online. I definitely don’t see myself working in a corporation, they’re too strict, too boring, and the long hours don’t make sense to me. I’d like to have enough capital to feel financially secure and free to move to another country, because I don’t think I’ll still be living in Vienna by then.

Professionally, I’m working toward studying at WU and eventually building a career in financial technologies or macroeconomics. Learning German is a big part of that goal, since it’s essential not only for university but also for everyday life.

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What was the most difficult part of German for you in the beginning?

In the beginning, the most difficult part of German for me was definitely the articles — and honestly, they’re still difficult.

What motivates me is that I need German to get into university. Besides that, I really enjoy listening to German metal, and I love the idea of understanding what they’re screaming without needing a translator.

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What do you like most about your course or your teachers?

What I like most is the structure of the course and how incredibly flexible it is. From the very beginning, I appreciated the way he approached everything — when I first contacted Sprachschule Ikarus, they immediately suggested a call and explained everything clearly. It was obvious that they genuinely cared that we were coming to his school.
When we arrived and told them what we needed, they adjusted both the schedule and the course for us, tested what we already knew and what we didn’t, and focused specifically on our knowledge gaps. That level of personal attention is something I really value.

What makes Ikarus different from other language schools?

This flexibility is also what makes Ikarus different from other language schools. Instead of giving you a fixed, one-size-fits-all course, they actually listen to what you need and adapt the program to you. It feels personal, practical, and much more effective.

I heard about Ikarus when Katya and I were looking for alternatives to the VWU program, which was very expensive and, according to people who studied there, not very effective. We started checking different schools online, calling places and asking questions. Ikarus immediately stood out because the Instagram page was active, well-run, fun to follow, and the website looked really good. That’s how we found the school — and we’re very happy we did.

Is there a funny moment or a nice memory from class that you would like to share?

There are funny moments almost every time we come to class, but one memory really stuck with me. The very first time we were sitting there taking a test we weren’t understanding anything, and suddenly the teacher, Jose, said in Ukrainian, “Давай, давай.”
I was completely shocked. We just stared at him, and he said, “What? My tennis coach is Ukrainian.” It was so unexpected and funny that I’ll never forget it.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about learning German in Vienna?

My advice would be to integrate into society. Getting involved in daily life, interacting with people, and really being part of the environment makes the learning process much easier and more natural.

Take the next step in Vienna. Join a German course at Ikarus Wien and start speaking with confidence.

Group courses in Vienna with maximal 4 students

Private training with a experienced Germanist teacher

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