The past few days I've talked with Molly, both Ben Hart and Ben Detrick, Dean, Chris, Emma, Molly and Ben's friends from Vienna, Professor Moraitis, Martha, and my parents about returning to study in Vienna.
This is a critical part of my life. I envisioned my life from 25-30 to be centered around graduate school at first, where I might meet my future wife, and the transition to my first real job, hopefully as a violinist without too many auditions. I would move wherever I was hired and get my first house or apartment and settle down. This transition period might be made much easier if I make the right connections at a graduate school here in the States. And if I met someone in Vienna I would have quite a dilemma on my hands. I think I would be happy staying in Europe if I could find a good life for myself, but as it's very hard to find a job as a non-EU citizen, I don't think I'll stay longer than a few years. I figure I'll cross that bridge when I have to, if I go that route.
Mom brought up the point that it would be very smart to learn how to teach, and that doesn't seem possible in Vienna through the Master's program. If it is, I'm sure it would be in German. Somewhat ironically, the best job I could get to support myself would be teaching. It scares me but would be good for me.
I could spend 3 years in Vienna for the cost of one semester at Boulder ($14,000). Mom noted that school here would be far more structured, which would probably be better for me. If I decided to only get a Diplom it would only take 2 years, I wouldn't have to audition, it would only cost 1,025 Euro ($1,359) per semester, and my only other obligation besides lessons would be orchestra once a week. Adding a class a semester would be the best way, in my mind, of keeping motivated. (I'd love to take German, Music History, Art History, and some other elective or Music course) However, it would mean an additional application process.
If I wanted a Master's degree from Vienna I would have to spend a first year for my Bachelor's (credits will transfer but they won't officially recognize my Bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt) and then have 2 more years in the Master's program, the curriculum of which is still vague. The cost of one year would be 3,630 Euro ($4,810). I am pretty certain Ben wouldn't audition for the program if classes were in German, but there wouldn't be many classes at all.
Going to graduate school in the States is much simpler. Assuming I am accepted I would hope for some sort of financial aid. I hate to just ask Tutu and Papa to pay for everything. I would have a much easier time finding a job on the side. I would hope to pass out of Music Theory and History classes. The curriculum there is 30 hours, including lessons. So I could take a few classes that I want. I think it would be smart to take some classes on pedagogy, even though I'm terrified of teaching. It wouldn't be Vienna but I do love Colorado.
I would get a more structured and well rounded education in the States, with no language issues, possibly make future work connections (if I'm very lucky I might meet someone), and be closer to friends and family. Or I could have excellent teaching in a setting of world class music and art, the perfect setting to learn German, and after studying for a fraction of the cost I would move back to the States and start looking for work, being thoroughly prepared to win an audition.
It's a tough choice.
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