IES Abroad Vienna

I had the best summer of my life. The teachers were great and when I got sick one day and I couldn’t come she was very understanding. The program is made so that you’re able to travel on weekends, which was great! There were many field trips (I think every week I had a field trip!) we traveled to a cemetery, an ice cream shop, and so many more amazing places! I loved this trip and highly recommend. Being in Vienna for 6 weeks changed my life and view on travel.

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.

Vienna is THE place to study abroad! It is a central location so it is perfect for other traveling, the culture and history is amazing, the food is incredible, and the city is unlike anything else. Through IES I got a lot of info about things to do, local places to visit, customs, etc. They also provided us with a dance class to prepare us for the Concordia Ball (a summer ball where everyone comes all dressed up and dances all night) - SO much fun!

I had an amazing time with IES Abroad! They did an amazing job with, especially with orientation and getting us settled. They made sure to prepare us for the cultural differences we would be experiencing, how to navigate around the city, find our niches and interests, and gave us tips on how to blend in in the city. I felt a lot more prepared and comfortable with my program than my fellow peers studying elsewhere. IES 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 truly loved every second of my semester abroad. Going to study in Vienna was my first time leaving the country, and despite being nervous and a little afraid of what my five months in a different country, speaking a different language, was going to hold, I would do it all over again. IES gave me the opportunity to connect with American, Austrian, and other international students and really step out of my comfort zone. I loved how immersive my experience was and even though I had no prior German experience, the program prepared me for life in a german-speaking country. 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!

Austria has a very unique history in Europe and I believe is one country that really ties relations with the majority of surrounding European countries. It's history and culture is old with wide-ranging influences, but yet was a country I previously knew little about nor had hardly heard of. Going to Austria opened up my understanding of a whole continent and it's recent history. Because it is a centrally located country as well, I also got to visit surrounding countries to tie into my understanding of Austria and the European view of the world stage. Austria was so complex and diverse, especially for being a small country; the learning and exploring never stopped.

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, but mostly the food. Sometimes I even dream about the Wurst and Käsespätzle. Through IES Abroad, I found 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. 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 have the abroad experience I had hoped and dreamed about. No issue was too small or too large for them to take action and, to the best of their abilities, resolve. I can definitely say that I came home more confident, more loved, more appreciated, and more cultured; all thanks to IES Abroad, my peers, my experiences, and my new home, Vienna. 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.

I had a great time studying abroad in Vienna! I was able to take courses in both English and German and really improve my language skills. The program requires you to take at least one German course and there is a 2 week German intensive period. I really enjoyed the classes because most of them incorporated field trips around the city which was a really cool way to learn about the history and culture of Austria. IES is pretty strict about attendance, there is an attendance policy and a required German class on Friday mornings. There are ample travel opportunities though and I was able to engage in countless cultural experiences and events. IES provides a very safe environment and provide you with the resources you need to thrive. Vienna is a great place to live and learn and if you want a structured program with German language learning opportunities, this is the right program for you!