IES Abroad Vienna – Music

For a classical musician, being a classical vocalist myself, Vienna is THE place to study abroad. I knew that the cultural and musical education I would receive there would be top notch, but I had no idea how life-changing this experience would be! I absolutely fell in love with life in Vienna, so much so that I hope to at least look into getting a masters degree in Austria, with the intent of pursuing a career in opera there one day. The faculty involved in the IES Abroad Vienna program are all wonderful and reliable individuals. They were devoted to every students’ personal health and mental well-being, but they also fostered an environment where we could venture out on our own in a safe and informed way. In addition to networking and professional connections made through IES Abroad Vienna, I formed many wonderful life-long friendships through program social events. If you are considering this program for study away, you should definitely do it!

As a classical voice student, Vienna was the only location that I considered for study abroad. Looking back on it, Vienna was absolutely the best location for me (and for most music students!). Although there was not enough support with the Visa process, the pre-departure staff were generally helpful with choosing internships, housing, and courses. The on-site staff were phenomenal, organizing frequent community-building activities. They did organize some culturally immersive activities (such as matching us with "language buddies"), but I wish there were more. The staff gave us suggestions for additional events, customs, and restaurants to try out in Vienna. The classes were of a high standard. All my professors made an effort to teach me about the culture of Vienna, and we frequently went on cultural excursions. Safety was taken seriously, and I always felt safe in Vienna. The music professors were fabulous, introducing me to new aspects of music history. If I could spent another semester (or year, or years!) in Vienna, I would do so in a heartbeat.

I should probably start by explaining the title of this review. During our orientation for my abroad program, we had a director tell us to make sure to "Squeeze the Juice" while studying abroad. Odd as this phrase was, it's one I think most people have heard before. It goes along with sayings like "make the most of things" or "live like there's no tomorrow." Point is, that phrase stuck and became a sort of motto in my study abroad experience. Academically, I studied with faculty of great renown I had no idea I would be studying with. I took private horn lessons with Franz Sollner, a retired horn player from the Vienna Philharmonic. I studied composition with Gabrielle Ploy, one of Austria's leading modern composers. I studied acoustics with Miguel Kertsman, an all around music man; active composer, incredible sound engineer, and Jazz pianist. And there were many other astounding faculty teaching classes, but sadly I could not take them all. Housing was very well provided in this program as well. My apartment was well situated. From my apartment I could easily access several modes of efficient public transportation and several grocery stores. The most impressive part of my apartment was the program collaborated with the apartment owner to create a state of the art practice facility in our very own building. Now that’s what I call Juicy! As a horn player, having a space to practice in where I would not be bothering the neighbors was immensely appreciated. The program also had many opportunities for cultural immersion from a language buddy program to field trips. The field trips were very well organized and took students all over to explore parts of Austria. For examples, in one trip I went on, we visited the city of Graz during the free museum night in Austria where I had a blast exploring a museum of locks and keys where I spent several hours in there (mainly because there was an interactive table on puzzle locks and there was one lock I just could not figure out but was too stubborn to give up on). Now That is what squeezing the juice is all about! On that trip, transportation, housing, and food was all planned by the program making the trip run smoothly and saving me the trouble of having to find all that myself! That is what squeezing the juice is all about. Within Vienna, many classes also went on field trips allowing for the goal of cultural immersion to be achieved academically. I also enjoy playing soccer, and in my case my most culturally immersive experience was to be able to join a few staff members in their local soccer team’s practice. Vienna itself is a very safe city, and I felt very safe at all times. The program has well set safety precautions, such as codes on doors to the school building, and even the practice facilities back in my apartment. The program requires a certain insurance, but I found this insurance very helpful. After your first one hundred euros in medical costs, the insurance covers the rest. Thanks to this, I was able to undergo an MRI while abroad for certain medical reasons, and I am very thankful for the program’s insurance covering these costs so I could squeeze the juice without having to squeeze my wallet. There is an incredible community in the program. The orientation period before school begins offers lots of opportunities to meet other students, as does living in an apartment with other students from your program.The main school building also offers a student lobby, so company is never far! The social events are great as well. For example, the language buddy program offers group events such as pub trivia. Did I also mention, though the program I also got to go to my first Viennese ball? Squeeze the Juice! I cannot express how dear the friends I made in my apartment, class, and program were to all these fun activities as well. I believe the friends I made in the program will remain my life long friends, even from afar, and I have the program to thank for bringing us so close together through its interactive activities and tight knit academic and living environment. So yeah, my program not only taught me the ridiculous saying “squeeze the juice,” but also the true meaning of this silly phrase and how to live your life better because of it.

I loved every second of my time abroad. I was full of anxiety prior to leaving...this was my first “solo” trip away from home and I started second guessing whether or not I was ready for such a big step. Immediately after I stepped off the plane and into Vienna, I was already in love. The fears melted away and from that day forward, I knew I had to come back in the future. The IES staff members were incredibly kind, helpful and encouraging during the whole semester. They were always available for any questions, concerns and for a lending ear if need be. IES truly provides you with all the help you need, so you are never alone in the process. I was very anxious about not knowing any German, especially since I needed to see health doctors during my time there for medical reasons. The IES staff helped me every step of the way and was able to connect me with English-speaking doctors. (Also! You will learn the language very fast while you are there. I was able to learn a good deal of basics through the IES course and was able to communicate in German at a beginner’s conversational level with natives! Not to mention, nearly every Austrian in the cities can speak perfect English.) As a musician, Vienna is dear to the hearts of all classical music lovers. I was able to see some many historical sites including the gravesites of some of the most famous composers (such as Beethoven, Strauss, and Brahms), Brahm’s birthplace, and of course the famous State Opera house (a 2 minute walk from the IES center!). Before this trip, I was feeling rather uninspired musicially and was considering putting my instrument away and pursuing another path. However, after this trip I have found my inspiration again and I cannot be more grateful for that. Thank you IES for such a wonderful experience!

I applied to the IES Vienna Music Program thinking I would focus on piano and harp performance for a semester. At my home institution, I am a math and computer science major and, unfortunately, don't always get to practice my music. The semester was different from what I expected. Instead of performing, I took two music classes: Music and Politics and The Lied. These interdisciplinary classes allowed me to learn about music history from different perspectives. Additionally, I took an arts and culture management class, in which I went on field trips to different non-profit and for-profit arts sites to learn about the bureaucratic aspects of arts in Vienna. I attended the Opera, orchestras, and many other music performances to indulge myself. IES was a wonderful skeleton for my experiences abroad. I was independent by choice and able to navigate Vienna and what I wanted out of this opportunity. IES provides an abundant of resources for those who need them. I took advantage of a few, like the language buddy program and a day trip to Wachau (the countryside).

I got to study with a master violinist, perform a lot, see major ensembles like the Vienna Phil and Vienna State Opera for free or for very cheap, take classes that I could use for my major, and meet a lot of locals, one of them being a lifelong friend that I'll never forget. I also learned so much more German in just one semester than I thought I would, seeing as I didn't know any when I got to Vienna. I lived in an apartment that was about 20 minutes away from the city center, which I thought was really nice--close enough and far away from all the tourists. I also took advantage of a lot of the IES Abroad opportunities like Student Council and Student Forum, which I found rewarding. There really is nothing more that I would have wanted.

This program definitely required me to adapt to a variety of new experiences. Vienna is a wonderful city, easy to navigate with public transportation, and even if you have no German background, you will be able to get around and communicate at restaurants or stores. There is so much to do, with museums, music performances, parks to hang out in, and tons of restaurants to eat at. It is a great "home base" for traveling around Europe. As for the actual program, the German class was well-run. My teacher was clear in her expectations, helpful, easy to understand, and a good balance of fun but firm. The homework load was not too heavy. It was not great for communicating at stores or restaurants or any basics like that. Despite that, it was fun every time I connected the dots between signs around the city and what I was learning in German class. The academic music classes were frustrating. I definitely learned a lot, but some of the teachers did not use Moodle and left the pages up from previous years, which left us confused on required readings and due dates. Grades were not updated regularly, if at all. One class had due dates moved up (earlier) with only 2-3 days notice. This gave me a lot of stress when I wanted to go do things around the city or travel on the weekends, but would suddenly have more homework than I expected. The music performance workshop was not a good experience. One of the teachers seemed to occasionally go out of her way to publicly humiliate students and pieces were not always assigned to the instrument they were written for. This left some of us with an insane amount of rewriting to do. I had almost no practice time, but I was in a special situation due to my instrument. Those who work at the program in administrative ways are wonderful. They are always willing to help with directions, German phrases, or ideas of fun things to do. The trips they plan are worth it too, especially if you are interested in the history of the places you visit. Overall, study abroad was a good experience, but I can't say it was because of the classes. I met a lot of really great people and saw places I would not have seen for a really long time if I had not gone on this program.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the music semester program (piano and voice) at IES Abroad Vienna. The IES center itself, a clean, well-maintained (as old as it is), historic, beautiful palace has a central, accessible location that is relatively close to two metro stations. The classes are manageable, allowing study abroad students ample time to explore the city and immerse themselves in all Vienna has to offer, from its many world-class concerts to rich history to unique culture. I loved the easy access to many extremely affordable concerts: 4 euro standing room tickets at the Vienna State Opera, 6 euro tickets to Musikverein concerts… Attending so many high quality concerts exposed me to excellent music-making, a vast array of repertoire, and really helped me grow as a musician. The faculty are knowledgeable and well-connected in Vienna, giving students access to a wealth of cultural insight. The applied music faculty consists of professors and professional musicians from Viennese conservatories and music schools, and this opportunity to work with local, professional musicians was very, very rewarding—I loved my teachers and learned a lot. IES Abroad Vienna is somewhat lenient on attendance, but not so much that it interferes with the quality of classes. The IES staff are also very helpful, friendly, and quite organized. IES also offers excellent well-planned, optional excursions for additional fees. I lived in the apartments in Margaretenstraβe, which were very nice and comfortable to live in and made traveling anywhere in the city very easy. There are also very nice practice rooms next door to the Margaretenstraβe apartments, making practicing a breeze. In all, I had a wonderful time at IES Abroad Vienna and would highly recommend it to aspiring musicians.

I loved Vienna! It is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been in. Vienna offers you everything a big city has with a small-town vibe. There was something happening almost every night whether it be an opera, a jazz bar showcase, or a ball. The music program was amazing. All the music staff I interacted with were performing in Vienna. It was great to get their first-hand experience and connections to concerts. A professor connected me with a local choir that I got to sing and perform with during my semester in Vienna. I love Vienna, I already want to go back. Whenever someone tells me they are studying abroad I tell them they have to go to Vienna, at least visit it. The culture surrounds you everywhere and the people are so nice. I did a teaching internship when I was there and it was great to get out into the city and meet even more people. IES Vienna is just a great place, with amazing faculty and staff, and I’m so happy I went. I made a lot of new friends and just loved my time there, I can’t wait to go back!

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When I landed in Germany for my second layover on my way to Vienna I was looking for somewhere to sit and I was hearing everyone speaking German around me and for a second I thought "oh god what have I done?" I was sitting in a foreign airport in a foreign country, surrounded by people who looked and spoke nothing like me and I almost wanted to call my mom and tell her to buy me the next flight back home because I felt I had made a terrible mistake deciding to go so far away from home. If I had to choose one moment in my life where I felt I made the right decision, that moment would be when I chose not to call my mom when I was sitting in Germany waiting for the last leg of my 22 hour journey to Vienna. Despite all my fears and anxieties I had, I absolutely fell in love with Vienna and feel like I found a second home. Within the first 3 weeks of being in the IES program I learned to speak enough German to place an order in restaurants and ask for general directions around the city. That's when I really started to explore not only the city, but also myself. I come from a very large family with five siblings, and to all of the sudden be living in a place where I did not know anyone was scary. Eventually, I was thankful to have time to myself because it allowed me to really try new things and to experience people and places that I never would have dreamed about. For me, being in Vienna felt like a dream and even months later there are days when I wake up and wish I could go back to sleep and keep dreaming. From the $4 Vienna Philharmonic tickets to the beautiful ice rink in front of the Rathaus to the Vienna woods, everything about Vienna left me in awe and I am so incredibly thankful that I took a chance and got to have the time of my life!

My experience with IES Vienna was the most educational and culturally fulfilling experience I have ever had. I had the opportunity to work with local students and teachers, which allowed me to learn more than I ever thought I would about such a beautiful city. My decision to study abroad was one of my best college decisions.

As a vocal performance major I expected Vienna to just be classical and very strict in their ways of living. What I came to find was the Viennese culture is very welcoming to new ideas and ways of living. The transportation was the best you could find around the world. It was fairly cheap and efficient. When it came to shopping I was able to buy groceries for a week around 30$. IES Abroad helped me find places that were within my budget and also direct me to the vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurants. Since Vienna is welcoming to new cultures I was able to find any type of cuisine. One day I would have Thai food and the next day go to my favorite Australian restaurant. The faculty was very welcoming to all of the students especially the year students. As a year student you get a very different type of experience studying abroad. It has its trials and tribulations but with the faculty they were able to help us adapt and live the year to the fullest. One of my favorite things I like to mention about studying abroad is my second semester housing I was able to choose which apartment I got to move into and somehow I ended up living on the same street as the president of Austria!

Studying abroad with IES Vienna was one of the best decisions I ever made. I found myself in the most remarkable city bursting with culture, music and incredible food. Vienna is a city I've always dreamed of visiting, and I had the opportunity to for the first time last January with my Music department on a European tour. It was a city like none other that I felt at home the moment I entered. I knew that I had to get back, a few days was not enough. When I returned home, I got busy working on how and when I could go to Vienna. I discovered IES and it was the perfect fit. I am pursuing a double major in clarinet performance and German, and this program allowed me to delve into both in the ideal city. I spent the last five months utterly in love with life more than ever. I was able to attend over 40 world-class performances from operas to orchestras to theater. With IES, I was connected with incredible faculty from whom I learned so much and still eagerly keep in contact with, and beyond that I gained amazing friends. My study abroad friends became family. Vienna became home. I wouldn't take back this experience for the world. Can't wait to see you again, Vienna. Ich vermisse dich.

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Going to Vienna was a once in a life time experience (cliche as that is to say). The quality of instructors, particularly of vocal technique and coaching, was phenomenal. I was able to see the opera every night for next to no cost, as well as pass by the beautiful opera building every day while walking to classes in the heart of the city. The program itself specifically offered several wonderful field trips on top of the other great experiences of everyday life. I went to the alps for a ski trip, and even though I broke my finger through my own ineptitude, the trip was a huge highlight. The chaperones for the trip handled my broken finger very well and I was not worried or uncomfortable during any point in the process of the hospital visit despite my weak German language skills. I cannot recommend highly enough this trip.

Studying abroad in Vienna through IES was truly an amazing experience. Although you need not have any prior exposure to German, I found that having some German under my belt really helped me make the most out of my experience that. Vienna is such a wonderful city to explore on your own too - there are so many cute cafes, bars, open markets, and parks. I also had the opportunity to live with a residential assistant, a fellow Austrian who I became very good friends with and who helped me see what local life was like. The IES staff in Vienna were also truly great. They cared about us having a great time, and were extremely supportive and helpful through all roadblocks we might have encountered throughout the way. At the same time, they weren't overbearing and allowed us to totally have our independence. I also loved the people who were part of the program. I made many friends who I just clicked with immediately, since there aren't many music/arts kids from my home school. I could not recommend this program more. Featured photo: the culturally acceptable daily cake and coffee!

As a Clarinet Performance major, studying music in Vienna was a no-brainer. With such a rich history of the arts, specifically classical music, Vienna is a great place for musicians to come and hone their craft. Not only was the atmosphere of Austria great, but the IES Vienna Program also excelled at making my study abroad experience a rewarding and comfortable one. The living situation, in my case the music apartment building, was very comfortable and close to the center of the city, which made it easy to get to the IES center in the first district. Each apartment has three bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and a split bathroom, with a shared laundry room on the ground floor. The apartments have their own set of practice rooms, which makes practicing very convenient for musicians. If they are full, there are also additional practice rooms at the center. The staff was all very helpful, with the teachers holding courses that were full of valuable information that were taught very well. Private teachers a chosen on a student-by-student basis, in order to ensure the best fit for the skill level and musical interests of each students. Price is also a priority for these teachers; most of the time your won't be paying over 70 euro a lesson. 100 euros is usually the top end of the pricing. I never heard any complaints about private teachers that didn't fit, but if your teacher isn't the right fit for you, students are always able to switch teachers mid-semester. The music workshop and coachings promote a very motivating and uplifting atmosphere that pushes students to hone their craft in a collaborative and professional matter. With what usually turns out to be a strange instrumentation in the performance workshop, you get to perform pieces that you don't normally get to perform. That was probably my favorite part of the IES music program; getting to perform really interesting music with extremely talented students. I got to perform everything from Romantic music to vocalises to a trio for baritone, clarinet, and piano, and I loved every second of it. With so many talented students, I was always encouraged to perfect my music for not only myself but for the sake of collaboration. With plenty of opportunities for travel, an excellent staff, and a motivational music workshop, I cannot recommend the IES Vienna music program enough. It helped me appreciate the music of Vienna, and really fall in love with all music more. This program is one for people who are passionate about being great musicians and immersing themselves in an historic and wonderfully artistic culture.

My time with IES Vienna will be some of my most treasured moments of my life. Not only were the faculty absolutely committed to us academically, they also got to know each and every one of us in an effort to afford us the best time possible during our short time in Vienna. I also took part in an internship at Vienna's English Theatre, and the support I received during the most hectic times of my internship from all of my professors and the staff at IES was so appreciated and immeasurable. The fact that I had a class with the Center Director really proved to me his, and the whole center's, commitment to getting to know us as students and helping us thrive in a new environment. Socially, while it was nerve-wracking at first, we all quickly be came adjusted and found lifelong friends. It was incredible being in a new and vibrant city with so many like-minded people. There was always something to do and always someone to do it with. I cannot recommend this experience enough. To anyone even considering a semester abroad, IES Vienna offers so much, and now I wouldn't dream of trying anything else.

As someone studying music, there is no place more prominent in the history of music than Vienna, Austria. As a student, I had the opportunity to listen to the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss in the city where it was composed. I also reached out and studied with members of the Vienna Philharmonic and performed in local orchestras. The opportunities are endless and there are tons of things that would spark anyone's interest in this magnificent city- hiking, art museums, fine cuisine, architecture, and of course, fine music which makes for the most wonderful culture that I have ever experienced. It is an extremely safe city and the IES center is located in the heart of the historic first district. Learning German and finding out how to get around are not only a part of the program, but these are skills that you will pick up regardless. The faculty is wonderful and you literally get to study in a palace. If anyone asked, I would tell them without a doubt to DO IT! Get on the plane and have the greatest adventure of your life. You will grow more than you could ever dream to!

IES Vienna was definitely a life changing experience. Not only did I get discover Vienna and it’s surrounding countries, but I also got to learn a lot about myself. I acquired a broader perspective of life, discover new passions, and found a new place to call home. I returned back from Vienna a more confident, secure, and well rounded person than when I left, and I only have study abroad to thank for that.

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I decided to do the IES Music program in Vienna because it gave me a chance to study German, music, and political science together. IES in Vienna is a wonderful program for musicians and non-musicians alike, but I think musicians have an even better appreciation for a city so immersed in music. The city of Vienna is absolutely beautiful and just drenched in musical history. I spent many evenings standing in the golden Musikverein listening to world class orchestras play the music of the most famous composers in the world. As for the program itself, I made lifelong friends and got to know tons of talented, smart, passionate people all while exploring a city and country that are too often overlooked in favor of Paris/London/Berlin/Rome. The education, both music and otherwise, is really high-quality, and the staff of the program are incredible. I can't recommend IES Vienna enough.