Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in Vienna, Austria

My time in Vienna through IES Abroad was the most influential experience I had in my college career. I had the opportunity to meet life-long friends, explore new cities, immerse myself in new cultures, and take courses that challenged my worldview and helped me grow into a more compassionate and well-rounded individual. The people I met in Vienna are some of my closest friends. Our time traveling together cemented a bond that I will cherish forever. IES: Vienna also sponsors trips and provides information to aid students in traveling both in Austria and across Europe. IES: Vienna provides a space for its students to take academically rigorous courses that are designed to interact with the city of Vienna itself. My classes took trips to museums, parks, churches, and monuments to explore Vienese history and culture. IES guided us every step of the way through pre-departure, our time abroad, and as we transitioned back home. I would recommend the program to anyone looking to study abroad!

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 spent my spring 2019 semester abroad in Vienna, Austria with the IES program and overall found the involvement in the cultural space and the academic environment to stimulate my desire for further learning and personal growth. Lots of food, music, art, and language to learn about and many opportunities for me to develop myself as a person. Overall good experience.

The IES program in Vienna created one of the best experiences I have experienced and will ever experience in my life. The staff was extremely attentive in the process of preparing for study abroad and while in Vienna. They created incredible opportunities for us such as setting up a ski trip to the Alps, provided us with insider information on our new city, and have a hot line to call in at any hour in emergencies. IES really set up a home base for me while studying abroad in Vienna. I lived in an apartment in the 5th district of the city with an easy 20 minute commute to school (Vienna’s public transportation system is so easy). Classes take place in an old palace in the city center between the Opera house and St. Stephen’s cathedral. For many classes I got to tour museums during class period and really learn about art, history, architecture and psychology first-hand. The central location enabled me to explore the ins-and-outs of Vienna on a daily basis after or between classes. The IES program helps make things happen for its students. They make known events such as the film festival at the Rathaus and they help create incredible experiences. They helped us get discounted tickets to an infamous Vienna ball and provided dancing lessons to prepare. I was able to see the dress rehearsal for a world premiere at the State opera house. We were able to have a big Thanksgiving dinner in a traditional countryside tavern. And they helped people get involved with locals through setting up local German language buddies and helping students get internships. The program at IES Vienna creates a community and enables its students to explore and soak up every possible second of the most incredible semester imaginable.

If you are wondering if this program is for you then I have your answer, it is. This program is for everyone regardless of major or interested there is something for everyone in this program. It is well organized and the staff are amazing, they are truly there for your best interests. Vienna is an amazing and easy city to live 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 had an amazing time with IES Abroad! They did an amazing job with orientation - they made sure to prepare us for the cultural differences we would be experiencing, how to navigate around the city and find our niches, and gave us tips on how to blend in in the city. I felt a lot more prepared and comfortable with my city than my other peers studying elsewhere. They also provided a lot of options for academics - I did not have to take a semester away from my main courses and the professors were very qualified and great resources to use.

I know it's cliche to say that going abroad changed my life, but it truly did. IES gave me the opportunity to connect with students from all over the world. Even though most of the participants were American, I had classes with people from all over the world, with different experiences and backgrounds. I loved getting to know both students from my home university and other universities, as well as being given the opportunity to connect with Austrian students through the IES-sponsored language buddy program. My favorite part of studying abroad through IES was going on IES-sponsored trips such as a weekend-long ski trip, and an excursion to the Wachau Valley. I got to see other places in Austria besides the city I was living in and had the chance to bond with other students and the IES staff. I really learned how to step out of my comfort zone and be myself!

Going abroad to Vienna was one of the most influential and important decisions that i've made during my college career. IES really provided an exceptional education that tied all aspects of my studies to the history and society of Austria. I experienced for the first time, a classroom setting outside of the US and the differences were remarkable. Additionally, the program incorporated excursions and trips which were well organized and thought-out and broadened my cultural experience and breadth of understanding of Austria outside of just Vienna. The program is administered by Austrians, classes are taught by Austrian professors, and students have the opportunity to live with an meet other Austrians as well. This interpersonal aspect was one of my favorites things about IES.

Most everyone that comes back from a semester abroad says that they have found their new "home" or their "favorite place," and at first I thought it was drab and clique, but lets face it, they're right. Studying abroad in Vienna, Austria truly fostered a love, appreciation, respect and longing for the culture, the people, the food, the language, and everything in between. I nurtured life long friendships and professional relationships with my peers, IES Abroad Staff and Faculty, and also Viennese locals. Exploring the city, traveling around Europe and assimilating to a new culture with my new travel buddies not only strengthened our bonds, but also allowed me to gain some personal perspective and introspection. The IES Abroad faculty and staff were a huge foundation of comfort for me for a time where I was vulnerable without home or family around. I, personally, went abroad with a lot of emotional baggage still looming over my head. I thought leaving the states would help that burden, but in some ways the distance just made it more insulting and daunting. After reaching out to the IES Abroad staff that weight was lifted off of my shoulders and they did everything they could possibly think of to help me in my personal situation. They made my problems their problems in order to insure that I had the chance to live the abroad experience I had hoped and dreamed about. If I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing, and if that's not a testament to an amazing program, I don't know what is. They say "home is where the heart is," and as clique as it may be, Vienna stole mine. See you soon, Wien.

My study abroad experience in Vienna was one of the best times of my life! I was able to engage is so many cultural experiences and also really enhance my German language skills. There are a variety of courses you can take in either English or German, one German language learning course is required though so you will learn at least some German! The program is structured pretty well. There is a 2 week German intensive course that really helps you engage with the culture. My favorite part about the classes is that most of them involve field trips around the city which makes them quite enjoyable. IES is pretty strict about class attendance, and there is an attendance policy as well as a required German class on Friday. Vienna is a great location with so much to do and it is really easy to travel and reach other locations. The program does a lot to ensure that you are safe so that is not something I would necessarily worry about. The housing options are pretty favorable however I did experience a problem with our RA that we had to discuss with program coordinators. Overall Vienna is a great place to live and study and if you are looking for a structured program with an emphasis on German language learning then this is the right program for you!

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 studied abroad with IES Vienna this past spring and had an absolutely amazing time. Through my experience in Vienna, I was able to take psychology classes in an essential location for the foundations of psychology, while also applying skills and ideas in an internship in a Psychotherapist's office. I was able to learn and apply so much in that one semester, that helped me narrow my career and educational foci immensely. Outside of the classes for my major, I was also able to study German and apply the learning through living and communicating in Vienna. Learning the language was definitely a challenge for me, but I loved it, and grew a lot throughout the semester. While learning and living in Vienna, I also made great connections with my fellow students, the Center Staff, native Austrians in my housing complex, and the individuals I worked with in my internship. So many great connections were made, and I honestly just had so many amazing experiences, large and small, throughout the 4 months. I can genuinely say that I grew so much academically, professionally, and personally during my time with IES Vienna, and that my study abroad experience was the best one of my life so far,

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.

I could sing my praises for the IES Abroad Vienna Music program for days (literally, because I am a vocal music major). This program truly made my semester abroad one to remember. The IES Abroad faculty at the Vienna center, located in an old Palais in the heart of the city, by the way, were helpful, supportive, and all-around excellent. The staff truly took care of us and always went the extra mile to personally see that each student had a fun and successful semester. As a music student, it was so amazing to be able to take music courses in Vienna that would actually transfer to my home university and that gave me the opportunity to perform there, as well. The course selection in Vienna is wide, especially because there is also a European Culture and Society program there, so I got the chance to take some courses outside of my field of study, which definitely enhanced my learning experience. IES Abroad also provided amazing field trips and social programs throughout the semester that exposed us to more of Vienna and Austria and helped make the city feel like a home-away-from-home. I can't wait to return for reunions and more time in the city of music.

As an international student studying in the US, I had a different approach to "studying abroad". I was already abroad so why would I go? Well, I'm glad I did! For me, it wasn't my first time traveling or staying at a different country for more than a month. For me, it was a great opportunity to be back at a culture that is relatively similar to mine and be back in a city where I can explore every single day and be surprised each time. With IES Abroad, I got to feel at home in this new city right from the start! Everything was organized so well and a sense of community was already built! I initially thought that having an orientation in a different city than Vienna was a bit unusual and unnecessary --I was so wrong! Being in the same resort for a few days right from the start was the best thing possible to form close friendships right from the beginning. We had nothing to do but sight seeing in Mariazell, play endless volleyball games, hike around and chat for hours, all as a group! I made so many good friends right there and then. To talk more about the program itself and life in Vienna, I can start by saying that it was great to live in a city with great public transportation, take classes in a magnificent old building -a palace-, and attend great events. As one of the cultural capitals in the world, Vienna had so much to offer. And IES made it much easier and much more accessible. We could get Opera tickets, attend rehearsals, have a Heuriger trip and Thanksgiving celebration and much more. Every month there were at least 2 or 3 events that the IES Staff and RA's (Resident Austrians who were living with some of the students and were in charge of technical things like talking to the landlady/landlord etc. --they were pretty cool and great way to learn more about the Austrian culture and make Austrian friends!) were organizing. These events were great to immerse us into the culture and into the city life without being stressed about organization and other details. There were also a few weekend trips organized by IES that were simply amazing! We had wine-tasting in Wachau (one-day trip), skiing in Salzburg and weekend in Graz! We had a really cool and friendly staff who would organize dodgeball trips, tell us cool places to go for a weekend, give advice on restaurants and always send information on events happening all around. I really enjoyed my time in Vienna as well as all across Europe --I went to many trips with my friends from the program! I definitely recommend going to Vienna for a semester, learning German with amazing professors, get immersed into the culture with organized trips, travel to many countries that are only 2 hours away and just enjoy the cafes of Vienna!

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 knew I wanted to study abroad but before finding IES Abroad, I never would have imagined I would end up in Vienna. The IES Abroad staff and facilities are wonderful and very inviting. The staff are always ready to help in any way they can with all sorts of things from helping us find secrets spots around the city to letting us borrow a hair dryer when ours didn't work. They also do an excellent job of getting you accustomed to the culture and life in the city when you arrive and being a support system until the day you leave! The classes were great as well. I never felt overwhelmed by the amount of work (the teachers totally understand that you are there to experience as much of the city and country as you can) and taking the beginning level German was more helpful than I had imagined. By the time I left I found myself understanding basic German being spoken around town and felt a much stronger sense of belonging. Most importantly, the city of Vienna is absolutely amazing and I felt right at home within the first day of being there. Like always, there are some cultural differences you have to adjust to but it is a very laid back city and it doesn't take long to feel right at home! There is so much to do right there in the city and there are lots of amazing cities in close proximity that you can easily visit on the weekend. While I was there, my roommates and I managed to travel to Salzburg, Hallstatt, Prague, Munich, and Budapest all while still finding plenty of time to enjoy our home city of Vienna! This program is a great way to learn so much about the birth place of psychology, the Austrian culture, other European cities, as well as learning things you never knew about yourself. In only 6 weeks, I found great friendships I never expected to form and have grown a deep appreciation for Vienna that makes me constantly wish I could go back.

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 really loved the program in Vienna and the staff was amazing. The city is beautiful, even in the dead of winter, and transportation is very convenient and easy to figure out. A few things I wish that had been different were living situations. It varied from person to person and some of us had laundry we had to pay for whereas others had laundry in their apartments, so it added an extra cost on to some of the students. I also wish we had more of an opportunity to get to know some of the local students since it can be a challenge to meet the younger people in Vienna. However, the program academics were excellent and I loved having teachers from all over Europe!