Study Abroad in Vienna...

Students who study abroad in Vienna will discover a vibrant, contemporary city brimming with historical treasures and aesthetic appeal, not to mention some of the finest Wiener schnitzel on the planet.

Vienna, or "Wien" in German, is the capital city of Austria and the center of education, culture, politics and economics in the country. Located along the Danube River, Vienna is set against a picturesque backdrop of snow-capped Alps. It is a modern city that dates back to Celtic and Roman times, and a stroll through its streets will provide a window on its turbulent and fascinating past. Vienna's many parks have given it a reputation as one of the greenest cities in the world.

In recognition of Vienna's unique urban architectural heritage, UNESCO designated the city center a World Heritage Site in 2001. One standout example of this legacy is the baroque palace Schloss Schönbrunn, which features 1,441 rooms, gardens, mazes and the oldest working zoo in the world. The palace's Great Gallery is adorned by gilded scrolls, frescoes and crystals. The former Jewish quarter, the Judenplatz, is now a memorial to the Austrian Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust. The site features a medieval synagogue, and artifacts that date back as far as 1200.

Architecture students in Vienna may opt to study at the prestigious University of Applied Arts, where they are likely to study the Burgkapelle, or Royal Chapel, which was built in the 13th century. The chapel was redesigned in the Gothic style in the 1400s. Other styles of architecture in Vienna include Romanesque, Baroque, and Art Deco or "Jugendstil." One example of the Gothic style is Saint Stephen's Cathedral, whose 370-foot steeple is visible from all over the city. The internationally renowned Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, established in 1692, is another excellent choice for students of architecture and the arts.

Art students in particular will enjoy the more than 100 museums in Vienna, including the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts. One of the most eminent museums in Europe, it houses works by the likes of Raphael, Vermeer and Velasquez, as well as the largest Bruegel collection in the world. The Kunsthistorisches Museum building is a work of art in itself, and is decorated with murals by the famed painter and Vienna native Gustav Klimt.

Vienna's world-renowned music and performing arts traditions offer another window on Austrian culture. Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss all wrote music and performed in the city. The Vienna State Opera and the associated Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, with origins in the 18th century and ties with influential composers such as Gustav Mahler, has achieved a worldwide reputation for excellence. The Vienna Boys' Choir also enjoys an international reputation. Students can study music, experimental theater and modern dance at the University of Music and Performing Arts.

Vienna's strength in the arts is matched by a tradition of excellence in humanities scholarship. The city is particularly known for its role in the development of psychoanalysis, inspiring Sigmund Freud as well as theorists Alfred Adler, Jacob Moreno and Viktor Frankl. The University of Vienna, the oldest university in the German-speaking world, carries on this tradition of critical inquiry as an ideal place to study the humanities, theology and philosophy. Established in 1365, it offers more than 120 degree programs and hosts international students from 130 countries. The university also offers comprehensive German language programs. Students interested in studying Austrian history will also find programs at the university.

Vienna is home to one of the four headquarters of the United Nations. Students studying international business or economics will find it a dynamic city, since the continued development of Eastern Europe has made it a development hub for the entire region. The Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration is the largest business university in Europe.

In Austria, higher education is divided into three sectors: Universities, Colleges of Art and Music, and decentralized non-university institutions. Most higher education institutions combine research and teaching, and classes are taught in German. Austrian higher education has enjoyed a long, respected tradition, and universities have developed programs to welcome and accommodate international students.

When they are not studying, students can take advantage of the bustling nightlife in Vienna, or go bungee jumping from the Donauturmstrasse, the city's tallest structure. Students who enjoy outdoor adventure will find hiking, skiing and ballooning in the area. Vienna's cafés, which are said to have invented coffee filtration, provide a typically Austrian opportunity for socializing and relaxation.

Vienna's modern, efficient transportation system allows easy access to the city's many attractions. For students wishing to travel farther afield, Vienna's location at the convergence of East and West makes it a good starting point for journeys to Venice, Rome, Berlin, Prague, Budapest or the Balkans.

Whether they choose to study the arts, humanities, business, economics, theology or architecture, students will find a chance to broaden their horizons in Vienna, both academically and otherwise.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
IIE Passport Study Abroad Directories: http://www.iiepassport.org
Austrian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture: http://www.bmukk.gv.at/enfr/index.xml
City of Vienna: http://info.wien.at/article.asp?IDArticle=9010
U.S. Embassy, Vienna: http://www.usembassy.at/en/index.html
Tourism: http://www.vienna-tourism.at/
American International School, Vienna: http://www.ais.at/
University of Vienna: http://www.univie.ac.at/
Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna: http://www.akbild.ac.at/portal_en?set_language=en&cl=en

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