Austria has long enchanted outsiders with images of snowcapped Alpine peaks, the intellectual and artistic ferment of Vienna's coffeehouses, and the musical and political dominance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The intellectually and culturally fertile country of Austria is an ideal study abroad destination for students of all disciplines and academic levels. Today, Austria holds a central place in the continent-wide effort to build a shared European culture. Study abroad in Austria is a perfect way for students to experience these exciting times for Europe.

The Austrian National Anthem is aptly named "Land der Berge" or "Land of Mountains." A republic in Central Europe divided into nine federal provinces, Austria lies mainly in the Alps, and three-quarters of its terrain is mountainous. With its central location bordering eight countries, Austria's role as the crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe makes it the perfect base for European study tours. The roots of Austria's educational system can be traced to the monastic schools of the Middle Ages, which were considered the cultural centers of their time. One such school, Schottengymnasium in Vienna, was started by the Benedictines in 1155 and is still in operation. After World War II, various initiatives were implemented to strengthen the educational system, and since then Austrian schools have received international recognition in both the arts and sciences.

Vienna, or Wien as it is known locally, extends across the Danube River, and its suburbs reach into one of the world's best known forests, the Vienna Woods. With its elegant residences, baroque architecture and well-manicured parks, Vienna is one of Europe's grandest cities. Vienna is home to the largest of Austria's six universities, Universitaet Wien, where a full range of study abroad programs is available. The study abroad program at the AHA Vienna Centre makes use of Vienna's history as a lens through which to study art, music, literature, philosophy and science.

Graz is Austria's second largest city. Located on the banks of the Mur, it is an important industrial, commercial and educational center. Its main university is Graz University, also known as Karl Franzens University. The language institute Deutsch in Graz has specific programs designed for education students, teachers and professionals and combines intensive German language study with practical training and study tours. German speakers compose nearly 90 percent of Austria's population, with most others speaking Turkish and Slavic languages.

Salzburg, Austria's fourth-largest city and birthplace of Mozart, is another noted Austrian study destination. In Salzburg and Vienna, it is clear why Austria is often called "The Land of Music." The Mozarteum University Salzburg, Actilingua Academy in Vienna and Cultura Wien offer outstanding programs combining German language and music study. Austria's cultural life has been enriched by such luminaries as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, and Gustav Mahler. Vienna's Volksoper (People's Opera) opened in 1904, and the Salzburg Festival, a prominent opera, drama and music event, has been held continuously since 1920.

Among the best known modern painters of Austria is Gustav Klimt, the pioneer of the Jugendstil aesthetic movement, the Austrian offshoot of the art nouveau style popular throughout much of Europe at the time. Adolf Loos, Joseph Hoffmann and Otto Wagner were Austria's most important modern architects, and created the Kirche am Steinhof and the Postsparkaassee, the most important buildings of the Jugendstil. Salzburg College and the University of Innsbruck are just two of the many institutions that offer study abroad programs in art history.

Austria's remarkable economic recovery after its independence was restored in 1955 is a fascinating topic of study. Austria became a member of the European Union in 1995, and in 2002 adopted the euro as its official currency. The economy benefits greatly from strong commercial relations with Central and Eastern Europe. The MCI-Management Center Innsbruck GmbH, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz and the Vienna University of Economics & Business Administration offer comprehensive study abroad programs in finance, economics, international business, and other related areas.

There is no shortage of libraries and museums in Austria to enhance study, aid research and nourish the mind. The largest library is the National Library, which includes a fascinating collection of ancient and rare manuscripts, maps and globes. In Vienna, students will find the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig.

Austrians enjoy sports and outdoor activities year-round, taking full advantage of the varied climate and wide variety of landscapes. One popular sport is alpine skiing and Austria frequently dominates the Nations Cup. Football (soccer) is the most popular team sport in Austria, and the country will jointly hold the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship with Switzerland. Water sports are popular at the country's many lake resorts, and after a day full of recreation, a time-out at one of the thermal, alpine or medical spas is a welcome respite.

No study abroad adventure would be complete without sampling the local cuisine. Popular favorites include Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), Backhendl (fried breaded chicken), Emmental cheese, Sachertorte (chocolate layer cake) and Krapfen (a jam-filled pastry). An Austrian entrepreneur made the Red Bull Energy Drink the global brand it is today. And of course, students in Austria should not miss the chance to meet friends at the local coffee shop.

Once the center of a vast multiethnic empire and today a pivotal link between Eastern and Western Europe, Austria projects a dynamic cosmopolitanism. Study abroad here will surely be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Resources -

IIEPassport.org: www.IIEPassport.org
IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding: www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
U.S. Embassy Vienna: vienna.usembassy.gov/en/index.html
Austrian Embassy, Washington D.C: www.austria.org
Austrian Foreign Ministry: www.bmeia.gv.at
AHA Vienna Centre: ahastudyabroad.org/programs/austria
Universitaet Wien: univie.ac.at
Graz University: www.kfunigraz.ac.at
Deutsch in Graz: www.dig.co.at
Mozarteum University Salzburg: www.moz.ac.at
Actilingua Academy in Vienna: www.actilingua.com
MCI-Management Center Innsbruck GmbH: www.mci.edu
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz: www.jku.at
Vienna University of Economics & Business Administration: www.wu-wien.ac.at

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