Austria Study Abroad

Austria is a German-speaking country situated in central Europe, surrounded by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Located in the Alps, the country features high peaks and rolling hills, through which cuts the famous Danube River. Austria has been a member of the European Union since 1995 and uses the Euro as its currency.

Austria

While students can study in towns across the country, the majority of study abroad programs are located in Vienna or Salzburg.

Vienna

Austria’s capital city, Vienna, is located in the Northeast part of the country. It is known as one of Austria’s cultural headquarters, for its numerous museums, opera houses and theaters. Step into one of the city’s elegant performance spaces to hear anything from the works of classical Austrian composers like Mozart to hits from the world’s modern stars. And be sure to try traditional Wiener schnitzel before the show for a taste of Viennese cuisine.

Salzburg

Salzburg, the country’s fourth largest city, is located in western Austria close to the border with Germany. Most well-known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg is another music hub. Since 1920, the annual summer Salzburg Festival has united directors, performers, and audiences in celebration of the country’s history and talent through song. In addition to its musical history, Salzburg has a vibrant Old Town that, with its baroque architecture, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Many buildings in the Old Town and around Saltzburg were filmed in the Austrian-based film The Sound of Music.

There are a variety of study abroad programs in Austria whose focuses range from German language to music to culture to business. Before deciding on a particular program, make sure that the classes offered match your academic and personal interests!

Student Interview

David Schmoll, a senior at Murray State University, participated in a month long study program in Bregenz, Austria through the Kentucky Institute of International Studies that allowed him to concentrate on travel writing.

“The course required me to journal daily, all culminating in a finalized piece of travel writing,” Schmoll explained. ”The travel writing course could not have been taught as effectively if I had been at home; being in Austria really enhanced it for me. I was able to write down my experiences as they happened and weave the story together while it was still fresh in my mind rather than attempt to reach back and remember minute details.”

In addition to taking advantage of his surroundings through location-oriented classes, Schmoll was able to practice his German language skills in the immersion setting that studying in Austria provided.  

“As a German student, I was able to finally practice and use my German on a daily basis, which solidified the concepts I had learned in class and furthered my vocabulary and conversational abilities. I loved speaking the language and sometimes found myself lost, either physically or mentally, in what was being said around me,” he remembered.

Now back in the States, Schmoll still feels the impact in his daily life of having experienced Austrian culture firsthand: “I like to walk more places. I like going to places where I can walk around the whole day rather than drive across a city. I find myself trying seek out German speakers so I can have even the most brief conversations in German, just to get my fix. It was a very positive experience and I hope I can make it back in the near future.”

Posted by Katie Williams.