AIFS Study Abroad Program in Austria
This program is ideal whether you're looking to become more fluent in the German language or looking for an elegant European city as a backdrop for your summer, semester or academic year study abroad experience. No previous German language study is required and courses are taught in English or basic German. In addition to the included features, you will get a taste of the local flavor with a meal allowance to subsidize breakfast and lunch or dinner Monday through Friday as well as a public transportation subsidy.
AIFS helps students with all of the details including accommodations and even airfare options. Excursions through the program include visits to London, Munich, Vienna and more! Click on the "Visit Our Website" link above to get all of the details on this amazing experience today!
Reviews
100%Overall
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90%Overall
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I had a great time during my study abroad experience in Salzburg. I shared an apartment with other participants and went to school with about 25 other US students -- some of those people I've now been friends with for over 12 years. A phenomenal program, a terrific educational experience, and a beautiful city.
100%Overall
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Salzburg, Mozart's hometown, a place that all the music student wants to visit at least once in the life time. I was lucky to know and get into this program. For sure, it was one great trip that I will never forget.
I am a backpacker, so I've already been to Austria many times by myself, but this is the first time I go with a group. When I saw the name list, I was the one male in this group. Which leads it into two ways, one: this could be a haven or somesort of dream come true. Two: this could be a total nightmare. as it turns out, it was quite fun.
They have great housing, you can even have your own practice room at free time (which you do get a lot if you don't go out that much) class level fits college student (not just for music student, they also have other major class you can choose) and in my own opinion. Salzburg is one of the most beautiful place on earth.
I live in Montana, you have to go everywhere by car, but in Salzburg, you walk, no matter how far you are going, even though there are bus all over town, you just kind of want to walk, in the sun, by the river side. I took 25 mins walk to school every day, and I was never bored of it because you find something new every day.
They also have music event all the time, everyday, concert, recital, even church service have great choir. As a music student and a big fan of classical music, I believe Salzburg is the place I suppose to be when I first step on it.
So music student, if you have a chance. Join this program, it will change your life.
90%Overall
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I absolutely fell in love with the city of Salzburg!! The city is filled with places like the Mirabell Garden, a castle called Hohenssalzburg, many beautiful mountains, a river, outdoor markets, historic landmarks and so much more. Having grown up watching the Sound of Music as a kid, it was fun to see many of the locations it was filmed at and to also learn more about Mozart as well. The place I lived in was centrally located & it was easy to get to other places by foot or by bus. The food was amazing in Salzburg with yummy things like schnitzel, sachertort, and many other Austrian specialties. Lots of great places to eat at that also including smaller vendors serving gelato, pretzels, and Kebaps. From the very start AIF's is very helpful, anywhere from giving you a list of things to pack to helping you organizing your travel plans. Things you have to get use to while there are setting up appointments to wash your clothes, taking bags with you when you buy food, & having most stores being closed on Sunday, except restaurants and some tourist places. Thought at some times frustrating at first it was nice to have things quieter on Sundays and you soon get use to planning ahead for shopping & laundry. Austrians love to go on walks or sit in cafe's, especially on Sunday. I absolutely loved the peacefulness about that aspect of their lives. You are surrounded by such beauty that it lifted my spirits daily and I found it so neat to be one minute in the new part of town, then a few minutes away the old part filled with great history, followed soon by breath taking nature that seems to frame it all in. During my time there I had two hours of German and two hours of culture class on every week day, though the times varied and the class rooms sometimes changed. It kept us on our toes and we had to make sure we paid close attention to our schedule. At first it was a challenge until we got use to it. Even their numbering system was very different at the university we took the classes at. 200 level rooms could be on the third floor, 300 level rooms on the second, and so on. The class it self was very informative and we enjoyed a few field trips were the learning became very hands on. The weekend excursions were so much fun and our tour guide went above and beyond as a host! From seeing the salt mines to day drips in other cities, such a Munich, we got to see many wonderful thing and had so much fun. You also will get some down time to go to places that you enjoy such as lakes, the Zoo, or even traveling to other cities or countries. If you ever get an opportunity to do your study abroad in Salzburg, it will be such a rewarding time. My main regret is that I didn't do one of their longer programs. I participated in their short one month summer program and while it was a wonderful experience, it went by too fast. I left feeling like I had so much more that I wanted to explore and learn. At least I now have a good reason to go back someday! I could really go on and on about my time there but hopefully this gives you a glimpse into what your life will look like if you take on this adventure with AIFS! You will get a chance to grow, travel, learn, make great friends, and it is so worth the time and money you put into it!
100%Overall
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Before setting foot in Salzburg, Austria, one can underestimate the beauty they are about to encounter. Majestic alps, the sprawling walls of the fortress, historical buildings and shops - Salzburg is a city of true beauty. Nestled about the city are buildings constituting the University of Salzburg. Our classes were housed in a variety of buildings - old and new each one unique and different. While at the University we were able to meet students from all over the world in addition to the locals. I had the opportunity to spend a year in Salzburg living in an Internationale Studentenheim - a European version of an International Dorm. While living at the Internationales Kolleg - as it was called, I was able to make lasting friendships with other students whose real homes stretched all over the European continent. Creating these friendships helped to enrich my experience and deepen my connection with Salzburg.
The AIFS office is centrally located in the Stadtmitte or the City Center. Having spent a year abroad, I grew to know and appreciate having such an awesome staff to support me and provide assistance when needed. There was always a smiling face (and a tin of cookies) welcoming students for whatever their need may have been.
My friendships that I made with other Americans in the program are some of the longest-lasting and most sincere friendships I established during both my college career and life beforehand. I have gone to visit my friends and former roommate both with in the U.S. and abroad.
The travel opportunities within the program are excellent - educational and informative. We were able to see the sights in London, Vienna and Prague, as well as many locations in Austria - all inclusive with the program cost. As Austria is so centrally located within Europe, travel outside of the country is easy and uncomplicated.
Adjusting the the diet and culture is a pleasure in Salzburg. The Austrian custom of Gemuetlichkeit or hospitality, ensures that each experience within the service industry is efficient and satisfactory. The food is rich-tasting, fresh, and delicious. Much of the produce, poultry and meat is locally sourced - even at McDonalds!
With pristine lakes, breathtaking Mountains, and a culture rich in customs and tradition, the AIFS Salzburg experience is one not to be missed. Studying abroad here can only change your life for the better. You will learn more than you ever thought possible and meet some of the best people on earth!
100%Overall
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Study abroad was one of the best experiences ever! I couldn't have chosen a better place to study. Salzburg was a beautiful, quiet city that sits right on the Salzach River with the fortress sitting above the city. It was easy to travel around Europe and the train station was a 10min bus ride from most locations. I would highly recommend studying abroad in Salzburg because I feel as though it is one of those places that not many people have heard of before. I met so many people from the US as well as Europe while studying abroad and still talk to them on a regular basis.
100%Overall
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My semester in Salzburg was the best semester of my college career, not just that, it was the best few months of my life. I could not imagine a better study abroad experience. The staff were all helpful, without being overbearing in any way. The program included 3 weekend trips and a couple day trips that were all wonderful. I met some of my best friends during my time in Salzburg and I still keep in touch with a lot of people from my program. I would recommend AIFs Salzburg to anyone.
80%Overall
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Salzburg, to me, was a forced choice. I wanted to study abroad through AIFS, but I needed German, so I came here instead of St. Petersburg or Prague. Best decision I think I've ever made. I've made such amazing friends and learned a language faster in four months than I -ever- did the three semesters I took at my home college.
Plus, Salzburg is close to a lot of very interesting cultures, and you can easily get to Italy, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, etc. with a train ticket.
Basically, if you're interested in the Austrian culture (which is NOT the German culture, you'll be quick to learn that), and you want to travel and meet awesome people, then Salzburg is definitely for you!
100%Overall
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AIFS Salzburg was an extremely upbeat and fun program. The city itself is very safe and provides for a great social scene. The AIFS staff were simply amazing. They made sure that everyone was thrust into the European culture and they were always available for answers, tips and even just to chat. I had the best time of my life living in Salzburg and I couldn't have asked for a better program.
100%Overall
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Traveling with AIFS to Salzburg Austria was one of the best decisions of my life. My trip was truly unforgettable, I still constantly tell stories of my memories and experiences. My trip taught me a lot about myself and really helped me to be more independent and courageous. I highly recommend studying abroad to everyone, only in such instances do you truly learn things about yourself, society, and the world. Such life lessons can only be experienced abroad, outside ones comfort and community. Be bold, take a risk, and go for it! I'm sure glad I did!
100%Overall
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I really enjoyed my stay in Salzburg. The city is great and most of the places are reachable within walking distance. I loved the classes and how integrative they were. Coming to Salzburg with a little or no knowledge of German I was able to learn a lot and easily. I took two culture courses and a language class, all of the material learned in the classroom became useful instantly - I could order food, have small conversation and understand local traditions and ways of living. Outside of classroom - the hikes became a part of my daily routine, the city is surrounded with gorgeous nature - mountains, pastures, beautiful river walks and etc. Instead of taking a bus to class everyday, I would wake up early and just take my time and walk through the Hellebrunner allee. Fresh mountain air would get me very energized and ready for class. Also, every Thursday morning I would go to downtown farmer's market - and buy best sandwich meats ever! When weather got warmer, my friends and I started explore local public swimming pools, they are cheap and if you got nothing planned for the weekend, in terms of travel, best places to hang out. Also, I really took advantage of traveling to other cities in Europe, because of Salzburg's central location - it was very easy to take a train to Venice and Rome and Vienna. Many times I would just hop on a train and go to Munich for a weekend or to Munich airport and fly to places like Malta and Dublin. I do admit, if it was easy enough to get an Austrian citizenship - I would move there permanently! Best memories of my life!
100%Overall
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Studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria was by far the best experience of my college career. I met life long friends whom I would not otherwise have met. These friends and I were able to travel all over Europe experiencing everything it had to offer. Salzburg was a perfect place to study because of its central location and its perfectly preserved Alt Stadt. Salzburg is safe and there is something for everyone. I cannot speak enough about the program and the friends I have met. I recommend this to everyone I meet.
I would not trade this experience for anything in the world.
100%Overall
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Austria is not usually the first country in Europe you think you want to study abroad in, but the Salzburg program is one of the best experiences for the money. The city itself, while small, is enchanting and full of pubs, cultural experiences, and natural wonder. I enjoyed the historic iron signs on every corner, learning how the city coped during the fascist regime, and hiking/biking/skiiing in the alps.
The size of the program is comfortable, at 40 you can find people with similiar interests and get to know them while still having alone time if you wish. The courses are fantastic. Two of my favorite Professors of my entire undergrad experience were from the AIFS program. Some chose to take it easy and did not try very hard and still passed, but if you take the time to ask questions you can learn so much. (My focus was the International Relations path). Taking the Austrian culture course was a highlight, both because of the professor and because of how it enhanced my experience. I knew only a little German and felt comfortable in the city. The German booster course helped a lot when we first arrived even though I was not excited about it initially.
Make sure you make the most of the travel excursions. I LOVED the places we went and was glad for some direction, but enough free time to see what I was interested in.
100%Overall
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I had a great time studying abroad with AIFS. The first few days of our program, they took us around the city to help us get aquainted with our surroundings. Salzburg is a gorgeous city, and I hope to go back and visit someday. The program was really helpful - setting up housing for us, giving us a meal stipend each month, and even taking us on a couple weekend trips. I made a lot of friends while on the program, even though I didn't know anyone when I started. The program also gave us great tips on where to shop and how to get around. You should definitely check it out!
100%Overall
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Studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria with AIFS was the best decision I made during my college career. Once I was accepted into the program, any questions I had were answered quickly and thoroughly by the AIFS staff both in Stamford CT and Ingrid, Suzanna and Andreas in Salzburg. My biggest worry was the travel to London and Salzburg but the staff made it so easy to find them and truly put me at ease once I arrived. Throughout my 4 months in Salzburg, I knew the office door was always open to any questions or concerns I had, or even just to chat and have some cookies! Salzburg is such a unique and beautiful city and you can tell that the people who live and work there truly love it and take pride in their home atop the Austrian Alps. My professors at the University were very helpful and understanding of our different academic backgrounds. It was extremely interesting to hear about topics such as the Holocaust and Fascism from an Austrian perspective and we even got to visit a concentration camp which was both horrifying and educational. While I had class four days a week, I still was left with plenty of time to explore Salzburg and all it has to offer and to travel on the weekends. The opportunity to study abroad and truly immerse yourself into a culture is truly once in a lifetime and choosing to have this experience through AIFS gave me the support and guidance I needed to succeed without being overbearing or too protective. I will forever remember the places I visited in Austria and the surrounding countries and I will never again make a group of friends with such a close bond as my friends from Salzburg.
90%Overall
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This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I studied abroad my junior year and met so many amazing people in my program from all over the US. I didn't take any German before going, but took German as one of my classes when I was there - it was very helpful. The other classes were fairly easy and I only had class from M-Th so it was nice for traveling on the weekends. (You also have to think about your main goals in studying abroad, because I was more interested in the experience/traveling rather than classes).
Austria is also centrally located so it made traveling easy to so many countries - I visited 10 the whole semester. The included trips were great and so much fun! I also loved that there was a 2 week spring break.
The housing was also perfect. I stayed at St Sebastian and it was close to everything - and walking here is not a problem at all because of the great weather and beauty of Salzburg!
The only negative I can really think of is how they did the meal allowances compared to other programs. Maybe they have changed this? I basically cooked all my meals just due to the cost of food/eating out. I could go on and on on how wonderful of an experience studying abroad is - Salzburg was amazing!
100%Overall
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Salzburg was the perfect place to study abroad because it is so cental answer I also liked that it was "off the beaten path". Also the cost of living was much better than in big cities such as vienna or london. The aifs program was great; I thought one of the best parts was that the group size was 36, which is big enough that you're bounid to find people that you really get along with, but small enough that you r eady get to know everybody without feeling forced to spend too much time with them.i would definitely recom
mend this program.
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Alumni Interviews
Interview with Tien-Wei Huang, AIFS alumnus in Salzburg
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS in Austria?
Tien-Wei: As a Piano/conducting major, doing any kind of internship wasn't in my college plan, so I started looking for a study abroad program. That's when I found you guys, I mean, Austria: a place for Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin and many others. That's when I knew I couldn't miss this chance. Although I had been to Austria many times (3+) already, I never studied there; guess I just wanted to feel what it was like being a real music student.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Tien-Wei: I have to break it into two parts. First, as a backpacker, I love getting lost, even though I have a map I love to wander around till I have no idea where I am. This time I didn't even need a map because I knew if something happened I could always call the office to help me, but luckily that never happened.
Second, the most unique part of this study abroad is that I was the only male in the group. 1 out of 21. That's also why I named my review "one of the kind" :p
Learning music in Austria was the most special part for me. As I said, I had been to Austria many times, but this time I got to study there, see how the music program works, practice, socialize with local music students. I made a few friends and we still talk music through email these days.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Tien-Wei: I already decided that I am going to Austria for grad school. As I mentioned, I made some new friends there, we are hoping to get together and play in the grand hall one day, it's a big dream, but thanks to this program, I know where I am supposed to go.
Interview with Emily Muehr, AIFS alumna in Austria
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at the University of Salzburg?
Emily: I decided to study abroad with AIFS because they worked directly with my university and had professional and exciting programs I wanted to experience. I chose the University of Salzburg based on the variety of classes offered, the central location of Austria in Europe, the amazing excursions offered and the affordability of the program in general. Salzburg is an absolutely beautiful and wonderful city!!
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Emily: This study abroad experience changed my life. I was able to fully experience a different culture and immerse myself in everyday Austrian life. I had not taken any German classes before studying abroad and as the months went on I learned more and more. Additionally, I had the opportunity to visit museums in Vienna, participate in a sleigh ride in the Austrian mountains, hike to ice caves in Austria, explore the city of Prague and much more! Where else in the world can you do all of this?
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Emily: Studying abroad has impacted my future in every way possible. I am able to see the world with a different point of view every day because of my time abroad. As a nurse, I am continually working with patients from many different cultures. My study abroad experience has helped me to become a more caring, culturally sensitive, respectful, and open person. Personally, I continue to keep in contact with many of my fellow study abroad friends. I have visited many of them in the US and they have also visited me in Austin; these are lifelong friends that I have made studying abroad. Since my time abroad, I am hooked on traveling and love to go new places as often as I can. Before studying abroad I had never been out of the country. I can proudly say I have been to 18 countries now and can't wait to add more to the list!
Interview with Robert Crane, AIFS alumnus in Austria
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at the University of Salzburg?
Robert: I chose to study in Salzburg because of its central location in Europe, which allowed me to travel throughout the continent relatively easily. Also, the city is situated in the foothills of the Alps, which provided the perfect backdrop to the beautifully preserved Austrian city.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Robert: My study abroad with AIFS in Salzburg was a once in a lifetime experience. I met people from all over the United States and many European countries, with various backgrounds with whom I have be become lifelong friends with. Our shared interest in travel and new experiences is what brought us together, and the adventures we embarked on have made it a lasting friendship.
Salzburg was a perfect location to study because it combined the feel of a traditional Austrian city with easy access to the rest of the continent. Having traveled throughout Europe, I believe Salzburg is the most beautiful city in all of Europe. Additionally, I was able to see first hand many historic sites you can only read about in books and view online.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Robert: This experience has given me the confidence to easily travel to new places without any anxiety. Studying in Salzburg has given me the opportunity to really develop an appreciation and love of a foreign culture. Through my experience I was able to learn a foreign language and take part in many of the local traditions. Studying with AIFS has opened my eyes to the vast cultures of the world and shown me that there is always something new to discover. I enjoyed Salzburg so much that I have been back several times to visit my new friends.
Interview with Anna Veers, AIFS alumna in Austria
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at the University of Salzburg?
Anna: I was looking for a program in a German speaking country, since that is the language I have studied in school. I looked at a few different programs, and AIFS had a lot of features that I liked. They provided housing, a meal stipend, and offered classes I was interested in. I'm also a huge fan of "The Sound of Music", so that was definitely another reason to go to Salzburg.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Anna: This was my first time traveling to Europe, so that definitely made this a special experience. I also met a lot of great people while on the program - both the staff and the other students. All the traveling I was able to do was amazing. I honestly enjoyed every minute of my study abroad experience, and if I could change anything I would have gone out more! This was one of my favorite semesters.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Anna: After spending this semester abroad, I can't wait to go back to Europe. I have been looking into the possibility of working abroad for a couple years, all because I absolutely loved my semster in Salzburg. This semester abroad also helped me grow as a person, putting me outside my comfort zone, and making me more confident.
Interview with Brette Petty, AIFS alumna in Austria
GO: Why did you study abroad with AIFS at the University of Salzburg?
Brette: Once I decided to study abroad my sophomore year, I began researching where to go and what program to use. My schools study abroad office had tons of brochures with locations all over the world but most students from my school go to Ireland or England. I knew I wanted to try somewhere different, to go somewhere alone and to go to a central location where I could easily travel to and from. With those three requirements in mind, I began to explore my options.
Flipping through brochures and pamphlets, I kept coming back to Salzburg. To me, it looked more beautiful than any other country. The idea of living in the snow-covered Alps and going on a horse drawn sleigh ride to an Alpine hut, as described in the AIFS booklet, truly drew me in. I knew that this was the type of country I would truly enjoy. I come from German roots and knew a little of the language, which made me even more excited about going. By the time I read the whole description of the semester in Salzburg, there wasn't a doubt in my mind that that was the only city I wanted to live in.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Brette: Studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria is unique by default, since not as many students choose to study there as in other popular cities such as London or Rome. While my fellow classmates on my program chose Salzburg for all sorts of personal reasons, something special about the city reeled us all in and made us want to live there. We became an extremely close-knit group and bonded over our experiences and our love of Salzburg. Studying abroad in Salzburg is special to me because it is a period of my life where I grew into the person I was meant to be. I became more outgoing, met incredible friends who I will be friends with for life, and was able to experience Europe in a way that only living in the heart of Europe allows you to do.
Salzburg is such a culturally rich city of music and history that there is always something to see or do. You can go to Munich for a weekend, see the Salt Mines, the Fortress that once protected the city from invaders, or simply stroll along Getreidegasse and take in the sights. Even though Salzburg is a small city, with approximately 150,000 residents, you will never feel bored or alone. The people are helpful and friendly and the scenery from any corner is extraordinary. The fortress atop a hill in the center of the Alt Stadt gave me a sense of comfort, of home, while living in Salzburg, because I knew whenever I saw it that I was safe and that I was living in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. As my friends all like to say, we all left a piece of our hearts in Salzburg and can't wait to go back and visit again. Three years after my experience, a day hardly goes by that I don't think about study abroad and the wonderful time I had living in the Austrian Alps.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Brette: Studying abroad opened my eyes to so many opportunities in life that I would probably have not even considered had I not gone to Europe. Moving to a foreign country not knowing a soul and being successful and happy there gave me the courage to know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I learned that it is up to one individually to take advantage of opportunities and that sitting out will only give you regret later. Academically, studying abroad gave me a unique knowledge base for appreciating cultures and made me a more understanding individual. Professionally, studying abroad is a great resume builder and talking point in interviews. It shows employers that you are independent, cultured, and willing to try new things. While many students study abroad, only a small percentage of them study in Salzburg and that will make you even more unique and strong as a candidate.
Studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria was by far the greatest choice I made during my college career. Before I went abroad I would talk to as many classmates as possible that went abroad to get an idea of what I was getting myself into. They all told me that it was an indescribable experience that changed them and at the time I couldn't comprehend how living four months in Europe could be THAT life-altering. Now I know that it is an experience that changes you forever, that helps you grow as a person, and gives you the some of the best friends and memories you will ever know. Studying abroad in Salzburg only makes the experience better because you will be in the heart of Europe, in a city rich in culture and history, living atop the Austrian Alps!
Further Info
About AIFS Study Abroad
Founded in 1964, AIFS prides itself as an industry leader in providing summer, semester, and academic year study abroad programs. AIFS sends nearly 5,000 undergraduates every month to study abroad in one of 23 AIFS international campuses.
Programs are available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, as well as multi-country programs. AIFS offers Gap Year programs, along with internships and volunteer opportunities abroad. With locations throughout the world, AIFS College Study Abroad is able to offers high-quality, college-level courses in subject areas as diverse as Islamic Studies, French Cinema, business and engineering.
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The excursions were a great part of the experience with being able to hike Hohenwerfen, and to visit Munich, Vienna, and Innsbruck. The cultural excursions were a nice touch as well such as the sausage stand scavenger hunt, or the trip to the Christkindlmarkt. The housing accommodations in Salzburg are all great, especially the St. Sebastian Institute because it is situated within the city. I loved attending the University of Salzburg and enjoyed all of my classes. The course load is just enough that you can fulfill school requirements and still be able to enjoy your time in Salzburg. I would highly recommend this program especially because the AIFS Salzburg staff is amazing and supportive of their program members.
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