Youth For Understanding USA
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What kind of exchange experience do you want?
I want to spend a all program lengths  studying in Austria, or maybe all regions. And I'm looking for something with a traditional exchange  and I definitely want to show off my need for  any language skills. Can I go whenever?
  • All around the world.

    all regions
    Africa & Middle East
    Asia & Pacific
    Eastern Europe
    Latin America
    Scandinavian Countries
    Western Europe
    North America
  • Pick a place, any place.

    Say what?

    Any language requirements?

     Any  Yes  No
  • What I'm into.

    a traditional exchange
    a gap year option
    college & university programs
    language classes
    a connection to the Arts
    sports & outdoors
    a volunteer program
  • How long I want to go.

    All program lengths
    Summer
    Short-term
    Semester
    Year-long

    When can I leave?

    whenever
    May to September
    December to March
Show me my options >

Glance

Scholarships Available

385 - Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Stud...
368 - YFU Community Grant
384 - YFU Financial Aid Fund

Age Requirement

Spring 2019 departure: August 1, 2001 - January 31, 2004 ; Fall 2019 departure: March 1, 2002 - August 30, 2004. Students who are slightly overage will need approval from YFU Austria. Graduated student and students outside the age range will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Language

German. No previous language study is required, however basic German language skills are necessary. Intensive individualized language tutoring can be arranged upon arrival in Austria. Standard German is spoken in most Austrian schools, but you should be prepared for the possibility that the community where you stay may speak German dialects unique to that region.

Host Family Placement

Most students are placed in suburban or rural areas. It is important to note that students are rarely placed in large urban centers. Families typically have the expectation that their host child actively participates in host family life.

School

The Austrian school year begins in September and ends in July. School in Austria typically begins at around 8:00am and can go until 2:00pm-5:00pm depending on the day. 

Trips

Students who travel to Austria during the winter year will also experience a long, school-free summer break (about 9 weeks) when they have the opportunity to participate in summer activities, which may include attending a camp, a summer course, or a trip with your host family.

Giant mountains, green valleys, forests and lakes make Austria a prime destination for you to spend your Study Abroad experience in Central Europe. For either a semester or academic year, you could live with a host family and study in this beautiful country! Mountain climbing, skiing, hiking, cycling, and boating are just some of the activities that YFU exchange students to Austria can experience.
Learn more about Austria.

Academic Year and Semester Programs

 

School: While attending a public secondary school, you will stay with a local host family and participate fully in the academic and cultural life of the school. Students are typically placed in the 6th, 7th, or 8th class of "Gymnasium" or "Mittelschule Neu" and are usually in fixed classes, meaning you will spend each day with the same students. This will make it a lot easier to find friends! Each class will also have its own teacher (Klassenvorstand), and she or he is responsible for your class and will be a great resource during your program. Students will also take a range of different classes including German, math, biology, arts, and physical education.  YFU Austria prides itself on its ability to dedicate lots of individualized attention to each student, ensuring the best possible exchange experience.

 

Orientations: All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June. In Austria, students will participate in post-arrival, mid-year, and re-entry orientations to cover topics including communication, adaptation, integration, values, and perceptions. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

 

Year and Spring program students may have the option to participate in the YFU Young Europeans' Seminar, a week-long program of seminars, educational workshops, inspiring guest speakers, panel discussions, and other activities.  The Seminar takes place in Germany in late June and is attended by around 500 other YFU exchange program participants from across the continent. Space is limited and participation requires an additional application and fee.

 

 

Tuition Includes:

-Placement with a host family
-Enrollment in a local Austrian high school
-Airport transfers
-Domestic and international travel
-All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
-Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
-Support from a YFU Austria Area Representative while on program
-Comprehensive Insurance
-German language study support if needed (class, private lessons, online course, or conversation partner, depending on available local options)

 

Additional information:

Visa Information: Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment.

 

Additional costs: Program tuition does not include personal spending money or school-related costs such as books and school trips.  

 

Important Infomation: Students who have previously participated in a semester or year exchange program are accepted on a case-by-case basis. YFU Austria cannot guarantee that students will receive transcripts as required by a student's school in the United States. Many host families in Austria have pets, so students should be prepared to live with animals in the house.

 

Programs Code Departure Return Full Tuition
Year
Fall Year
Spring Year

1055  
1276  

early September
mid February

mid July
early February

$14,995
$14,995
Semester
Fall Semester
Spring Semester

1056  
1261  

early September
mid February

mid February
early July

$12,495
$12,495