Semester in Vienna (Partner)

We offer a German semester abroad in Vienna, Austria through a partnership with Central College (Iowa). In this program, you will experience two countries, Germany and Austria, and rich cultures filled with enough history, art, and food to keep you exploring all semester long.

Don't just visit: become immersed. In the Central College Abroad program you will study the German language intensively so can begin your journey right away. Dive in to the community and interact with locals through internships and service-learning trips, or get out and explore the region on Europe's excellent public transportation systems. Discover what it feels like to live in the midst rich historical heritage. During your semester in Germany and Austria, you will find a new story around every corner.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the capital of Austria as well as its largest city. Vienna has claimed the title of "Worlds Most Livable City" four years in a row (2009-2012). The city boasts a strong historical and cultural heritage (Vienna is a great destination for fine arts study) as well as excellent public transportation, well-organized public services, a fair cost of living, quality educational systems and a mild climate.

Things to do

One of the highlights of studying through Central College Abroad Vienna is the number of cultural activities and excursions that are included as part of your program fee. Recent excursions include:

• Visits to famous Vienna sites—the Wien Museum, the Archives of the Austrian Resistance, the Jewish Museum and Parliament
• A tour of Belvedere and Schönbrunn Palaces
• Concerts, theatre and opera performances around Vienna
• A weekend in Budapest, Salzburg or Graz
• A day in Austria's Wachau Valley

Outside of regular program excursions, many students choose to explore on their own, either over the weekend or during a semester break. In the past, students have taken advantage of the amazing skiing in Austria, as well as short trips to nearby cities such as Graz. Longer trips have taken students to Budapest, Prague and many other places in Europe.

Population

Approx. 1.8 million

Academics

The Central College Abroad program in Vienna is a German language immersion program for core language as well as majors and minors. A typical course load is 12-18 credit hours. The academic program is broken down into six areas:

• Optional intensive language preparation at the Goethe Institut in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
• Culture Course, required of all students
• Central College Abroad language courses and electives for intermediate level and above
• Intensive language program to fulfill core language requirement
• Affiliate university electives through the University of Vienna (for high intermediate and above)
• Internships and service-learning available for all students

See the CCA course catalog for more information on available classes. Learn more about direct-enroll transfer credits in academic services.

Accommodations

Students are placed in Viennese residence halls located throughout the city. Whenever possible, Central College Abroad participants share a double room with either a native speaker of German or an international student whose native language is not English. Student residence halls in Vienna are operated by private foundations and do not offer a meal plan, so a meal plan is not included in the program fee. All students will have the opportunity to cook in the communal kitchen and socialize with other Viennese and international students. Student status also grants access to the many inexpensive government-subsidized university cafeterias (Mensen) located throughout the city.

Eligibility

To study with Central College Abroad, you must: be 18 years of age or older, have completed two semesters of college after high school graduation, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Cost

The Vienna Semester is a non-Calvin program but students remain eligible for Calvin financial aid at the same level as if they were on campus. The cost is the same as Calvin’s tuition, room and board rate plus an administrative fee. For more details about the program cost, visit the financial information page.

Click here for more information on what is included in the program fee.

Central College Abroad also provides scholarship opportunities for non-Central students applying for semester programs. Scholarship applications should be made after acceptance into a Central College Abroad program. Please note that the deadline for semester scholarship applications is the same date as the deadline for the semester program applications.