Creating our magazine and visiting Vinzidorf

Today was the day the students created their own unique page for our program “magazine.” This magazine depicts the students’ memories and things they have loved about their experience in Graz. Each student will get a bound copy of all the pages together as a keep sake.

We also had an afternoon excursion to Vinzidorf. This is a little “village” that houses homeless and less fortunate men in Graz. It is a fascinating place where the men live and also find their sense of belonging. One of the men, Wolfgang, played his guitar for us and sang! He talked about how proud he was to be able to live in such a safe place and feel like he belongs! It really was wonderful. We saw a room of one of the men (I can’t remember his name!). And he was so proud to show it to us. This man was the first to shake our hands and welcome us to his home!

I only snapped a few pictures of us viewing the nearby cemetery where there is a special section for the men of Vinzidorf. Only men that die while living in Vinzidorf  can be buried there and there is a beautiful memorial for them as well.

Our wonderful guide Matthias, explained the the history of the village and that the members here are not looked down upon by society. It was really an encouraging time!