1st of May-Steinbach an der Steyr

 

On the 1st of May, we went to Steinbach, a small village located about 25 minutes from Schlierbach. It is a cosy place with a river and beautiful views. Here, on the 1st of May, it is a tradition to raise a tree between 20-30 metres and climb it using special equipment. It is only the trunk of the tree made it with a special type of wood. If you manage to climb to the top, you have to ring a bell.

 They also did an exhibition of their traditional dance. Around the area there were food stands and stalls with different objects. 

I was able to experience this really cool tradition and take part in the May tree climbing competition.

Gwunden

On April 26th, we went to visit

Gwunden. A beautiful town where you can enjoy incredible landscapes.

It is a perfect place to visit and spend a nice day. It is very touristy, especially in summer. There are many beautiful things to see and enjoy, like the lake, the mountains, and the old buildings. In summer, it is a very popular place because you can swim in it is lakes and enjoy the good weather.

Gmunden is also famous for it is lake called Traunsee, where people like to relax, go for walks or take a boat trip. You can also visit a small castle on an island, called Ort Castle, which is very pretty. The town has a calm and friendly atmosphere and it is a great place to take photos and enjoy nature.

Another great thing about Gmunden is its local culture and food. You can try traditional Austrian dishes in small restaurants near the lake. There are also nice shops where you can buy souvenirs, especially the famous Gmunden ceramics. During the year, there are different events and festivals, so there is always something interesting to do. It is a place where you can have fun, relax, and learn about Austrian traditions at the same time.

My first impression

 

I started this adventure on Monday, April 20th, 2026. 

My first class was on Tuesday. Everything was very different from what I knew. The first thing to mention is that they study in a monastery. It is the Schlierbach Monastery, which is also the place where the village cheese is produced.

My second impression was that they leave their outdoor boots in the lockers and walk around the high school in slippers or indoor shoes. Also, the school timetable is not always the same. Some days they finish earlier and others later. I should add that the class times are not exact. A lesson can easily start at 7:54, 10:51, or 12:42. These are details that felt a bit strange at first but everything has a reason. (They use their time more efficiently)

One thing I loved is the purpose of the 'PerLe' classes. These are some school hours where you choose which subject or activity you would like to do. This encourages students' academic independence, helps them socialise with more people and allows them to relax every week doing what they prefer or like most.