Mariazell Pilgrimage

By:

Joseph Thang

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Joseph Thang

<i>Home Institution</i>: University of Texas, Dallas <i>Expected Graduation Year</i>: 2025 <i>Academic Major / Minor</i>: Information Technology Systems <i>Destination</i>: Vienna, Austria <i>"Hello" in your host country's language</i>: Hallo <i>Demographics</i>: Asian/Asian American, U.S. Immigrant, First-Generation College Student, Community College Student <i>Future Career Goals</i>: My future career goals are to work in tech companies after graduation and maybe continue my master depending on my job situation. <i>Top Three Study Abroad Goals</i>: Learn how to ski; Learn some German; Make some life-long friendship

A 4 days pilgrimage to Mariazell with students from Catholic University Community in Vienna will be one of the many highlights of my study abroad. We hike the whole day for four days through hills and mountains with high elevations. I experienced some leg pains after hiking through one of the big mountains, but the pain was nothing compared to the beautiful scenery, the fresh air, and the people I got to meet them.

The history of Mariazell dates back to the 12th century when a Benedictine monk named Magnus founded a monastery in the area. The town grew around the monastery and became an important pilgrimage center due to the presence of a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary.