Program Details
| Program Length | Start | End | Gateway | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | AUG 18-21 | JUL7-10 | New York/ Washington, D.C. | 15.5-18 |
| Semester | 1.Late January 2.AUG 18-21 | 1.Early July 2.FEB3-5 |
New York/ Washington, D.C. | 15.5-18 |
Age Explanation: Age on Departure reflect both the years and month(s) of the age of the applicant at the start of the program. For example, if the age is listed as 16.1 the applicant should be 16 years and 1 month at departure. For a more detailed look at age ranges see Programs-at-a-Glance.
NOTE: Only students who have learned German in school for at least one year or students who have taken an intensive German language course (certified) before their arrival, will be considered for acceptance in this program.
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.
Year and Semester Programs
After arriving in Vienna, you’ll attend a four-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 working 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 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. View PDF Brochure for Austria School Programs.
