Psychology Study Abroad Programs in Vienna, Austria

Recently, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Vienna with IES Abroad this past spring semester of college. At first, I was a bit skeptical - everything was happening so quickly. I was adjusting to a new environment, meeting new people (and repeating the same introduction over and over), and on top of that, beginning to learn a new language - German. As the semester progressed, I became increasingly grateful to be in Vienna. I met so many wonderful people, many of whom I still stay in touch with, and gained a fresh perspective on many aspects of life. The IES staff were incredibly supportive and fun, and I genuinely enjoyed most of my courses. One of the highlights of my experience was how much I was able to travel, far more than I could have back at my home university. I would absolutely recommend Vienna as a study abroad destination.

I had an amazing time abroad in Vienna! The IES staff are so resourceful, and the people I met have been incredible. The professors are great, and there were so many opportunities for different activities outside the classroom in our free time.

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!

Studying abroad will always remain one of the best decisions I will have ever taken during my college career. It was an opportunity for me to learn about myself more. I am already an international student in the USA at the University of the South, and at first I did not know I needed to expand my horizons by participating in the Study Abroad Program as well. I am so grateful that when I did, I chose IES Abroad Vienna! The IES Abroad Vienna Team is very organized and super interactive. It has been nothing short of a blessing for me. The classes were awesome, and the professors are excellent, they remain part of my connections today! My experience in Vienna has been rewarding, educational, transformative, and most of all, FUN! I am super grateful that I went to study abroad in Vienna with IES!

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 fall semester of 2022 in Vienna, and I can safely say it changed my life. Each day I would wake up excited to see what was coming next. IES Vienna gave the opportunity to explore not only Vienna, but Austria as a whole. I attended the Psychology and Social Sciences program as a psychology major, and I had the chance to take courses that were not offered at my home school, such as Psychology and Society in Vienna and the Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. These classes met usually once a week at the IES Abroad Center, in the 1st district, near Stephansdom. I also had an intensive German class that met 3 times a week; I had taken German before so I was placed in a higher German class, but I heard from friends that they benefitted greatly from intro German classes. I lived in the 2nd district, in a studio apartment with a shared kitchen. The shared kitchen let me connect with new friends from IES while still having a space to go back to that was my own. The commute from the 2nd district to the 1st for class was about 15 minutes, and the IES Vienna staff walked us through it the first time. I appreciated this as someone who had never lived in a city before. IES staff were incredibly welcoming and easy to talk to; they helped with everything from housing issues to personal issues, and were a great resource to better understand the culture of Austria. IES also offered trips around Austria, such as to places like Wachau (the wine region) and Graz, as well as the legendary ski trip in the Austrian Alps. I also had the opportunity during the week-long break to travel around other parts of Austria with a friend - we toured Salzburg, Vorarlberg, and Innsbruck, and were able to do it all by train. Overall, I saw as much of Austria as I could, and I grew as a person in ways I could not have imagined. I had the time of my life and would do it again 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 such an amazing time. The teachers were great and when I got sick one day I couldn’t come she was very understanding. It’s made so that you can travel on weekends, which was the best part! There were many field trips (I think every week I had a field trip!)

Studying abroad in Vienna was more than the classes and more than travel. It was rich with culture, language, and personal experiences. This program was a really great experience in a variety of ways. Built into IES's program is a unique independence. You are given the ability to live in the city, to roam freely, and experience firsthand the beauty around you. The independence also allows you to travel outside of Vienna, and even out of Austria through long weekends. I personally was able to visit Bratislava, Slovakia, and Procida and Naples, Italy. Others in my program where able to visit cities in Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, and more. Europe is a great location for quick and cheap travel between nations. Beyond independence, this trip provided a chance to meet students from all over the United States and to develop friendships that have lasted beyond returning to our home universities. Last, Vienna was so unique in its "cafe culture". Dozens of cafes existed in every district, each with their own unique style. My friends and I would sit at them for hours to do our school work or just relax and enjoy the city. I loved my study abroad experience this past summer.

Studying abroad in Vienna was amazing! Everything about the city - from the food to the entertainment to the history - was incredible! IES had multiple housing locations for all the students. This was nice because we lived all throughout the city and got to explore areas that we wouldn't have known about if one of hadn't lived there. One of my favorite memories was going to the Concordia Ball (a summer ball that the whole city gets dressed up for and dances the night away). IES offered a dance lesson the week before the ball and it was so helpful - and fun!

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,