Welcome to IES Abroad Vienna

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Welcome to Vienna

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Welcome to Vienna! Frequently rated one of the best places in the world to live, Austria’s capital city is home to an astounding number of legendary composers, several imperial palaces, brims with arts and cultural activities, and is also the birthplace of Freudian theory. As you can see, there’s more than a few reasons why this “City of Music” is a worldwide favorite, and will become yours, too, when you study abroad there.

Our Center

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Willkommen im IES Abroad Center, home of our Vienna programs. Did you know that Vienna was our first Center more than 65 years ago? Today, our beautiful Center, known as the Palais Corbelli, is an elegant 17th century palace in the heart of the city, just minutes from the many museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions that have bestowed international fame on Vienna. The bustling Center features classrooms, a small library, computer lab, a reception area, and offices as well as an ornate concert hall, instrument storage, practice rooms, lounge and study room.

Academics

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We offer a wealth of rigorous courses in multiple disciplines at our Vienna Center. Our world-class faculty includes instructors who have been teaching our students for more than 30 years! There are also many courses available to you at the prestigious Universität Wien.

Internships & Field Experience

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Gain international work experience with a part-time semester internship or field experience. We can find you an internship that pairs with your interests and major. Education Field Experiences are also available, giving you the rare opportunity to immerse into Vienna classrooms, assisting Austrian teachers and students in acquiring better English language skills.

Housing

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There are three housing options in Vienna. First, you can live with two to five other students in these double-roomed apartments with fully equipped kitchens. There are also apartments where you can live with a local resident, such as a landlord/lady and one or more additional IES Abroad students. Or you can live in a residence hall among Austrian and international students in a double room with a shared bathroom and access to a kitchen. All of our housing comes with free Wifi.

Music Facility and Recording Studio

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Vienna is a city that lives and breathes music, which makes it the perfect place to study, compose, and perform music. We are one of the only study abroad providers who can boast its own music department. This is the Rococo-designed Concert Hall in our Center. It has outstanding acoustics and seats 50 people. The Hall features two grand pianos and a harpsichord, and serves as the venue for student concerts and recitals. We also have a state-of-the-art recording studio, practice rooms, classrooms, and instrument storage lockers.

Schloss Schönbrunn

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Spend the afternoon visiting the Schloss Schönbrunn, which was originally the palace and gardens of the Habsburg monarchs, who lived on the property from the 18th century to just after World War I. Designed by architects Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Nicolaus Pacassi, it has many stunning Baroque features, and is the site of the world’s first zoo in 1752.

Stephansdom

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Stephansdom or St. Stephen’s Cathedral, is Vienna’s most-famous and most-central landmark. The beautiful cathedral, easily recognizable by its colorful tiled roof and massive south tower, is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. Inside, the cathedral features many altars, several chapels, an ornate stone pulpit, and tombs, crypts, and catacombs. It is believed that the moment Ludwig van Beethoven realized that he was completely deaf was when he saw birds fly out of the Stephansdom’s bell tower, but could not hear the bells tolling.

Hofburg Palace

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Originally built in 1279, this former imperial palace now functions as the official office and residence of the Austrian president. Many areas of the Palace are open to the public, including the Imperial Silver Collection, highlighting the over-the-top luxury and pomp of the banquets once held here. Be sure to see the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments.

Naschmarkt

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No trip to Vienna is complete without a visit to the Naschmarkt, which is nearly a mile long and features stalls selling every kind of food imaginable, as well as spices, oils and condiments, flowers, and souvenirs. There are also many restaurants and cafés to relax in while you shop. There’s also a flea market on Saturdays.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

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Home to masterpieces by Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and more, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (or Art History Museum) is definitely worth a visit. Relax and enjoy the impressive marble sculptures and fountains at the lovely Maria-Theresien-Platz public square between the Kunstishtorisches and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum).

Belvedere

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This Baroque collection of two palaces (Upper and Lower Belvedere), stables, and Orangery upon expansive and beautifully-manicured grounds, was built as the summer home for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Today, the Belvedere’s grounds are open to the public and the buildings serve as museums and exhibition halls.

Burggarten

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Next to the Hofburg Palace, the Burggarten features an elaborate English-style garden with a lovely pond and several monuments. But the highlight of your visit will be the Palmenhaus, a fabulous Art Nouveau greenhouse that includes a butterfly house, a wonderful terrace, and a stylish café, where you can enjoy something to eat or drink while taking in the lush green surroundings.

Rathaus

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The Neo-Gothic Rathaus (Town Hall) is used as the office of the mayor and city council of Vienna. Many events, such as film festivals and concerts, are held in the Rathausplatz, with food and drink stalls set up for visitors to enjoy.

Kahlenberg

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With its vantage point high above the Vienna Woods, it’s easy to understand why Kahlenberg is one of the most popular day trips from Vienna—the views of the entire city and nearby vineyards are spectacular! Kahlenberg is on the foothills of the Eastern Alps and is easy to get to via bus. While it’s beautiful anytime of the day, it’s particularly awe-inspiring at sunset.

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