Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I go to Vienna?
2. What makes IGE different than other programs in Vienna?
3. What do the fees include?
4. Do I have to know German to attend?
5. Where do I live?
6. How do I get around Vienna?
7. Are there free weekends when I can travel?
8. How many courses should I take?
9. Will the courses transfer to my University?
10. Are the courses taught in English or German?
11. Do I have access to the Internet or do I need to go to an Internet cafe?
12. How safe is Vienna?
13. How many students are accepted into the program?
14. Can I have visitors?
15. What is there to do for fun in Vienna?
16. What is the weather like?
17. What is traditional Viennese cuisine?
18. How much money should I plan on saving for a semester in Vienna?
19. What if I need a doctor while I am in Vienna?
20. Should I bring travelers checks? Debit cards? Credit cards?
21. If one meal a week is provided, what do students do for the rest of their meals?
1. Why should I go to Vienna?
Vienna is a European city at its finest. Full of history, art, music, theatres and cafes, there really is something for everyone. Vienna is also home to one of the major facilities of the United Nations and houses a huge range of International Organizations, from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). All of these organizations bring a cosmopolitan flair to Vienna that is simply lacking in other European Cities. Because of its central location in Europe, Vienna is the ideal hub from which to explore Europe. Bordering Switzerland, Italy, and Germany to the west; and Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic to the east there is always a train going somewhere.
2. What makes IGE different than other programs in Vienna?
Because IGE runs smaller programs than other providers, our students receive individual attention. IGE is the only program that includes both significant travel and an extensive introduction to the city of Vienna as part of the standard program. We are also the only program in Vienna that provides transportation passes so that students are free to explore the city as much as they wish. Each week the students meet together with the director and sometimes faculty at a local restaurant for dinner provided by IGE. This is an important component of the program because it brings students together with their faculty and allows them to experience cuisine that may be out of a student’s budget as well as get to know the directors of the program on a more personal level.
3. What do the fees include?
Program fees include: tuition, a dorm room with a communal kitchen, travel component, city transportation passes, and dinner once a week.
4. Do I have to know German to attend?
German is not a requirement to attend IGE, however it is encouraged that each student makes the effort to learn a few words before arriving in Vienna.
5. Where do I live?
Students live together in double rooms at a student dormitory, which is set in a park-like setting near the Vienna woods. The dormitory provides housing to 400 students, approximately half of which are international students, and half of which are Austrian students.
6. How do I get around Vienna?
Students are provided with monthly transportation passes that allow them to explore Vienna by streetcar, subway or bus.
7. Are there free weekends when I can travel?
Every weekend is the student’s to travel as they wish, unless a prior trip has been planned. Students will receive the schedule during orientation week.
8. How many courses should I take?
Most students find that four or five courses are a good balance. This gives the student plenty of time to devote to each course, while still allowing the student time to travel and learn everything that cannot be taught in a classroom.
9. Will the courses transfer to my University?
All courses are approved for credit by our affiliated universities. If your University will not accept IGE courses directly, IGE will provide an official transcript from an accredited US University at no additional cost.
10. Are the courses taught in English or German?
With the exception of the German language course, everything is taught in English.
11. Do I have access to the Internet or do I need to go to an Internet cafe?
All of the dorm rooms are equipped with Internet access, so students should bring Ethernet cards and a cable to hookup upon arrival. There is a computer available to students, but it’s often in use. There are also Internet cafes all over Vienna if a student doesn’t own a laptop, but there will be a lot of computer work, so laptops are recommended.
12. How safe is Vienna?
Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world. However, as with any big city, safety precautions are emphasized during orientation week.
13. How many students are accepted into the program?
Only 20 students will be accepted each quarter/semester, so apply early.
14. Can I have visitors?
Visitors are welcome and encouraged. There are discounts available at the hotel onsite.
15. What is there to do for fun in Vienna?
Anything that students enjoy doing in the United States they can also enjoy in Vienna, and much more. There is no end to the live performances in the city. Whether you enjoy opera or something more modern, you will find something entertaining. The famous Lippizaner horses are housed in Vienna. True red carpet performances are pricey, but you can watch them do their morning exercises to classical music for a relatively small fee. If you enjoy museums, you can wander through the world famous Kunsthistoriches (Art History), the Belvederes, or the Leopold Museums. Everyone from Klimt to Monet to Renoir to DaVinci are represented within the city. Or, if you’re feeling daring, explore the eerie catacombs under Stephansdom. Vienna is home to many large city parks, as well as the world-renowned giant ferris wheel (Riesenrad). The Danube Island (Donau Insel) has a network of walking paths and gelato shops.
16. What is the weather like?
From January through the middle of March it can be very cold and snowy with temperatures around freezing. Layering is a must. Close to the end of March through April it becomes spring, seemingly overnight, and some days it’s rainy and other days it’s sunny and warm.
17. What is traditional Viennese cuisine?
Vienna is famous for many different specials, but none so famous as “Wiener Schnitzel,” which, contrary to popular belief thanks to the chain restaurant, is not a hot dog but a golden fried thin slice of pork (occasionally veal). Viennese cuisine consists mostly of meats such as pork, chicken and turkey, and lots of potato entrees. During the winter months Vienna also offers some very tasty soups like Goulash or Garlic Cream. And don’t forget the ubiquitous bratwurst!
18. How much money should I plan on saving for a semester in Vienna?
How much money a student needs really depends on their spending habits, how much traveling is going to be done, and sticking with a budget. There have been students in the past that lived on 50 euros per week; however, IGE recommends around 100-200 euros per week as a more likely number. It truly depends on how much traveling a student does, because it is more expensive living on the road.
19. What if I need a doctor while I am in Vienna?
All of the staff in Vienna are well aware of the fact that some students may need a doctor for one reason or another while living in Vienna and they are fully capable of helping a student find a doctor with whom they are comfortable and helping with any communication barriers that may arise. Cash is necessary for these doctor visits as American insurance is not recognized overseas, but can be reimbursed by most insurance companies upon return to the USA. It is a good idea to check with your provider before you leave to find out what kind of coverage they offer.
20. Should I bring travelers checks? Debit cards? Credit cards?
The easiest way to deal with the exchange of currency while in Europe happens to be using your debit card at nearly any of the ATMs throughout Europe. A fee is being charged now to debit cards and credit cards, and some banks may charge up to $5.00 per transaction. Major credit cards (such as Visa, Mastercard and occasionally American Express) are nice to have, and can be more convenient at times than paying for things in cash. Many, but not all, restaurants take a credit card, same as most major stores, and train stations (for tickets). Grocery stores, drug stores, cosmetic stores and most small stores will not accept a credit card or American debit card. Traveler’s checks can be both a pain, and quite an expensive transaction, but because they are insured, can be nice to have. The students will learn where and how to cash them during orientation week.
21. If one meal a week is provided, what do students do for the rest of their meals?
One meal is provided by IGE during the week. The rest of the week the students are on their own to provide meals. Each of the floors where the students are staying is equipped with a communal kitchen. They have their own locking cupboards where they can store dry goods. It is very common for Austrians to shop daily for their fresh food and most students will find this is the easiest way. Each year students have found a few other students to pool their money, share the cost of groceries and cook together each evening, and they often remark how much they enjoyed that time together.
