What to Do and Where to Go when Studying in Austria

In the Austrian Alps: Go skiing! Skiing is an Austrian obsession. There is no better place to ski than the Alps, so definitely take advantage of the close proximity while you are studying abroad. It generally costs more than a ski trip in the states, but is well worth it. You can go with a group from cities like Salzburg or Innsbruck (just ask around about snow shuttle groups) or arrange your own transportation to a resort mountain.

In Innsbruck, Austria: Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, for a good reason. The city is world renowned as a winter sports center. If you are studying during the winter, go skiing, and if you are there during warmer periods definitely go hiking in the area. Nearby you can also go paragliding or bungee jumping to get a taste of the extreme sports. For students who want a less extreme adventure, there is plenty to see in the Old Town and several museums you can explore.

In Vienna, Austria: Vienna is Austria's largest city and its cultural, economic, and political center. Vienna offers students many opportunities to experience great operas and theatre performances. Staatsoper and the Volksoper are two wonderful opera houses where students can score cheap tickets at the last minute before a performance. Museumsquartier is another must see for students. It houses several museums including the Museum of Modern Art and the Leopold Museum and offers student discounts for admission prices. Vienna has many universities and several international schools so you will meet many other students in the city that can guide you on the nightlife offered in this vibrant, lively city.

In Salzburg, Austria: Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria for students to live or visit. The Old Town part of Salzburg is famous for its baroque architecture and preservation. Just wandering around the city is hours of fun for any visitor. Mirabell Gardens, Hellbrunn, Leopoldskron, Getreidegasse (the main shopping street), and the Fortress are great to check out and most places offer student discounts for admission and tours. You won't get a student price, but you may want to check out one of the many companies that give Sound of Music tours. Just look across the street from Mirabell for these companies' booths. Salzburg hosts three universities and thousands of students, so there will always be someone new to meet and hang out with. The city is definitely a tourist city though, so if you get homesick you can always find a group of American tourists.