Political Science & Politics Study Abroad Programs in Vienna, Austria

I had a fantastic time on my semester abroad in Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade. Based in Vienna, the program took us deep into the heart of European politics, democracy, and diplomatic institutions. Through excellent guest lecturers and site visits, we were introduced to the complexity of Europe. Vienna is a hub of international happenings and a city soaked in history, art, and culture. Staying with a host family was an amazing opportunity to get local knowledge and practice cross-cultural skills. From Vienna, we traveled to Budapest and Belgrade. Through cultural outings, academic discussions, and political events, our knowledge was challenged, changed, and cultivated during the excursions. During the ISP period, I was able to dive deep into the politics of Vienna by exploring the democratic implications of it's excellent public space infrastructure. For anyone interested in international relations, European politics, diplomacy, or democracy, I would highly recommend the program.

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 someone who's studied abroad multiple times, I was beyond excited to participate in a program closer to home! Initially, I wanted to come out of the experience with a little bit better Serbian, and some new friends and experiences! Upon completing the program, I realized I got those and much more! During my three and a half months in Serbia, I had an incredible host family and gained relationships I hope to foster for life. My favorite part of the program was its internship component, which allowed me to connect with the local culture more by interning at a local organization that perfectly fits into what I want to do in the future!

I participated in this program during the spring 2024 semester. I had never been to Europe prior to the program, and was unfamiliar with the Balkan region aside from some historical context. During the program I gained invaluable perspective on the region and Europe, experienced the culture first-hand through day-to-day life and my host family, and made lifelong friendships. I really enjoyed the excursion aspect of the program where we got to visit other countries and learn comparatively. I would recommend this program to any student interested in expanding their studies internationally and eager to step outside their comfort zone!

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 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 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 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!

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 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!

IES Abroad’s Vienna program, focusing on European Society and Culture, was an absolutely amazing experience. Not only did I get to learn about new subjects that aren’t offered at my home university, but I got to actually go out and see manifest examples of the material I was studying. For example, after learning about the Hapsburg royal family of Vienna in my Vienna Past and Present course, the next class period was spent visiting their national treasury in the city hosting all of the family jewels, crowns, and royal robes. This classroom and tour combination style of learning really put a new and tangible spin on the material I was learning, and made it very fun and connectable. This also gave me opportunities to see parts of the city I was living in, that I may have not known about otherwise or have been able to see. Thanks to my Music in Performance class, I learned about the least expensive way to watch one of the classic Viennese operas that are so beloved to the locals. Outside of the studying aspect of the program, IES offered many extracurricular trips such as day trips to Austria’s stunning Wachau Valley, or a weekend trip to partake in a traditional apple festival and tour the beautiful city of Graz. Both of these trips that I partook in (among the many more that IES Vienna offers) were amazing and provided insights into Austria and its people and culture. These are experiences that were so real and unique, that I definitely would not have been able to participate without the help of IES’ planning. On top of all this, the people you will meet in Vienna will become your lifelong friends. From the students you live with, to the friends in your German class, and the extremely helpful and friendly staff in the IES Vienna office. Overall, the study abroad experience was truly life changing and taught me so many life skills that will be immensely helpful in the future. IES Abroad made this all possible for me.

I loved living in Vienna! It is a cultural epicenter, as well as being very livable and having a lot of opportunities for students. My professors were very nice and understanding. I would move back to Vienna in a heartbeat.

IES offered so many ways to weave Viennese culture into the already-excellent academic experience. Field trips to the most amazing cities in Central Europe (Prague, Budapest), world-renowned professors from all over Europe, and a wide range of language courses were the most obvious examples. But IES did more than teach us about European culture and history. They taught us how to bite into Krapfen, delicious Viennese filled doughnuts. They taught us how be independent and curious, and encouraged us to fill our weekends with adventures around the continent. I saw 15 countries during my time at IES, and many of my favorite moments from the semester were spent with the incredible friends I made through my IES classes. I still correspond with three of my professors, as well as my internship supervisor. The adventures, friends, and memories I made through IES will be with me for my entire life!