Vienna, Austria

European Society & Culture

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Studio

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English, German

Language Prerequisites:

None

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

Offering both English- and German-taught courses, the IES Abroad Vienna European Society & Culture program allows you to study the culture, history, business, and politics of a region that continues to play a major role on the world stage. Open to students at all German language levels, our program brings more than 60 years of experience to a variety of unique courses taught by faculty from top European institutions. 

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Unique Courses

Learn from courses in four different topics.

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Specialized Field Trips

Travel to historic places, castles and monuments in Austria.

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Real-World Placement

Gain hands-on experience at an internship or field placement.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

August 26 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
23,450

Program Dates:

Mid January - Early May

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

Headshot of Alicia Emerich.

Alicia Emerich

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

A view of Vienna, Austria's landscape at sunset.

Why Vienna?

Vienna will be your classroom. Can you imagine learning about Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis and then touring his home and the office where he practiced? Or studying politics and international organizations and visiting the UN, the OSCE, or OPEC? How about exploring art history in Vienna’s world-famous galleries and museums? Welcome to study abroad! Wherever possible our courses take advantage of the city’s historical, artistic, and cultural sites and include a hands-on, practical component.

Learn More About Vienna

Get to Know Your New City

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Experience an Opera at the Wiener Staatsoper

See world-class opera performances for only a few euros.

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Relax Along the Danube Canal

Enjoy late afternoon sun while taking in this waterway.

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Visit a Museum or Two on a Rainy Day

At least one of the 100+ museums of Vienna will interest you.

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Sip Wine at an Authentic Heuriger

These Viennese wine taverns serve locally-produced wines.

Housing

Housing in Vienna, Austria.
  • Apartment

Apartment

Studio – Live in your own one-room studio apartment with a full-size bed, private bathroom and study space. Other amenities include a gym, WiFi, on-site laundry, bike share, and more.

Shared – Shared apartments offer fully furnished spaces for students and up to five roommates. The classically Viennese shared apartment comes equipped with 1-2 twin beds per bedroom, WiFi, access to laundry, and a shared kitchen, bathroom, and common space.

Studio Plus – The studio plus apartment features some of the amenities of a studio and includes a private kitchenette. Beneficial for those with specific dietary, sleep and/or study requirements.

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore Austrian History, Culture, Art, and many other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors, as well as course options at the prestigious Universität Wien, enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives both in and out of class.

Courses

You'll take 15–19 credits per semester and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Language courses are taught in German, and all other courses are taught in English unless otherwise noted. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week. 

If you have taken fewer than 4 semesters of college-level German or the equivalent, you'll enroll in IES Abroad courses in English. If you have advanced German language proficiency, you may enroll in IES Abroad courses in German and English. Students with strong language skills can also enroll in local university courses at the Universität Wien. 

You create your academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components: 

  • IES Abroad German language course (required, 4 credits) 
  • IES Abroad area studies courses (3-4 credits)
  • German-taught courses at Universität Wien (advanced German required, credits vary) 
  • IES Abroad Internship (includes internship and seminar, 3 credits) 

German-Taught Area Studies Courses 

IES Abroad teaches the following area studies courses in German. Please note that these courses are open to students who test into GR401 and GR403. Students who test into GR351 will be considered for these courses on a case-by-case basis.   

  • CU321 Austria in Text and Film I: From the Turn of the Century to 1945 (Fall)
  • DR341 Vienna Theater I (Fall)
  • IB/GR333 Wirtschaftsdeutsch / Let's Talk Business (Spring)
  • CU322 Austria in Text and Film II: 1945 to Present (Spring)
  • DR342 Vienna Theater II (Spring)
  • CU345 The Cultural Heritage of Austria (Fall & Spring)

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the  IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (33)

Anthropology (2)

PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Vienna, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

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Styria

2 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Spend a weekend in Styria, Austria's southeastern province that borders Slovenia, known for its picturesque vineyards and delicious wines. This trip also includes a visit to Graz, Austria's second-largest city

A student sitting atop Castle Ruins in Wachau. There is a river a few feet below, and hills and houses in the background landscape.

Wachau

1 Day ($) Fall & Spring

Visit the spectacular region of the Danube Valley where castles are perched high above the river and some of Austria's best wines are cultivated. Includes a tour of the famous Melk Abbey.

Ski lifts travelling to their destinations in the Austrian Alps on a foggy morning.

Austrian Alps

3 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Ski down the beautiful slopes of the Austrian Alps! The trip includes lodging, equipment rental, a ski pass for two days, and lessons for beginners.

Part-Time Internships

Did you know that you can intern as part of your study abroad experience in Vienna? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will: 

  • Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support. 
  • Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process. 
  • Experience what working in Vienna is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness. 
  • Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers. 

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You will participate in a 3-credit seminar, which complements the practical experience gained during the internship, helping you better understand work life in your host country. Internships generally include 8-12 hours per week of work. Proficiency in German language is not generally required, but can be helpful in securing certain Arts & Culture and Business internship placements. 

Placement Examples

tourists visiting an art museum in Rome

Arts & Culture

a business student walking in Milan

Business

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Public Service

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
18,430
Housing
$
4,330
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
22,990

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
18,788
Housing
$
4,417
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,450

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

Learn More
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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Vienna Center is an elegant, early 18th-century palace called the Palais Corbelli, and is in a bustling central part of the city. Whether you’re visiting any number of the museums, taking in a show at a historic theater, or finding a park to study in, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Vienna
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Vienna. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
During the first fews weeks of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore and discover Vienna before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 22 - May 11

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

August 26 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Mid January - Early May

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 27.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • No previous German language study required for students enrolling in English-taught courses 
  • 4 semesters or the equivalent of college-level German required for students enrolling in German-taught courses 
  • 5 semesters or the equivalent of college-level German required for spring semester students enrolling in German-taught courses 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

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Grace Heaton ,

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Surf Camp

I fell in love with surfing after the very first lesson. In this blog, I share my experience from three days at Surf Camp Australia :)

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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