Focus on Austria

  Austria

• Salzburg: 
Salzburg
• Vienna: 
Vienna
• Klagenfurt: 
Klagenfurt

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: inquire for specific dates

Description: Austria sits in the heart of Europe, and has historically been a crossroads for communication in Europe. Its citizens are known for their Gemutlichkeit - their characteristic way of taking things easy. One way they relax is by skiing; there are more than 1700km of ski slopes in the Austrian Alps. It's even possible to ski in summer! Between New Year's and Ash Wednesday there are thousands of galas throughout the country. Famous Austrians include musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; artist Gustav Klimt; and actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger. AFS Austria has been hosting AFS Exchange Students for more than 56 years.

Highlights: After arriving in Vienna, you'll attend a seven-day orientation to introduce you to local life and culture. A German course will be organized for students, but every student should already have a basic knowledge of the language. Austria has a deep educational tradition, having established a compulsory school system in 1774. You will attend a public school and be placed in either grade 9, 10, or 11. The Austrian school system gives students plenty of free time since school days only last until approximately 2pm. While homework will take up some of that time, extracurricular activities such as choir, sports, and theater groups are available.

Cost in US$: $8,900 - $9,900

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

AFS Intercultural Programs's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947