Why Study Abroad in Austria?

The hills are alive...with the sound of you studying abroad in Austria! Are you looking for a reason to improve your German skills, or traverse the mighty Alps, or eat your weight in schnitzel with noodles? Sounds like it’s time for you to head to Österreich! Let us tell you why study abroad in Austria is the right move for you.

Honestly, how can you argue with this view?

Snuggled in the middle of Europe, Austria is home to the waltz, Swarovski crystals, and world-famous apple strudel, and it dominates so much in outdoor recreation that it’s even held the Olympic games twice.

Whether you’re into natural beauty, hip urban environments, the arts, groundbreaking architecture and engineering, or world history, there are so many reasons why study abroad in Austria makes for the opportunity of a lifetime!

10 valuable reasons to study in Austria

Do you dream of singing through the Alps like Maria von Trapp or sporting a pair of lederhosen and making new friends over a few steins in a bierhall? Or experiencing living history (both good and bad) by seeing Mozart’s original violin, the weapons that killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand and started WWI, or even Hitler’s elusive mountaintop retreat?

From the most dazzling and horrific pieces of world history to its natural beauty and countless outdoor recreational options, Austria is truly the perfect place to expand your education! 

1. It’s a bit more off-the-beaten-path

Why study in Austria? Because Berlin and Munich are great, but what about the other places to study German abroad? Austria is ideal middle-ground because it’s something different than Germany, but not quite as different as Switzerland (even fluent German speakers have a hard time understanding Swiss German…).

For some, Austria is “so off-the-beaten-path” that it even gets confused with Australia. The country’s unofficial slogan is actually “There are no kangaroos in Austria!”

2. It’s the best of all worlds

Studying abroad in Austria means soaking up the history of beautiful cities.

From Vienna’s cosmopolitan-yet-regal ambiance to the more quaint and cobblestoned cities of Kaprun and Innsbruck, Austria offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a bustling, international city or a more intimate and charming setting, there’s a place for you here. 

Spend your days tracing the steps of some of the world’s most powerful rulers, or wake up every day surrounded by the majestic Alps. Or, in some parts of Austria, you can do both at the same time! Regardless of your urban or rural desires, studying abroad in Austria will far exceed your expectations.

3. It’s seriously gorgeous

From the snow-capped mountaintops and strikingly beautiful alpine lakes to the ornately-decorated palaces and historic towns, there’s no such thing as an ugly part of Austria. If you’re a nature buff (or trying to become one), you’ll be blown away by all of the outdoor recreation options deep in spectacularly beautiful locations.

Or, if you’re more impressed with man-made beauty, you’ll never run out of unique architecture, museums filled to the brim, or larger-than-life cathedrals and castles to marvel at. This small country’s evocative landscapes and uniquely historic sites are just a few reasons to study in Austria.

4. Location, location, location!

Located smack-dab in the middle of Europe, Austria is an awesome jumping-off point for adventures. Whether you want to hop a train and travel for the day to Switzerland, or score a cheap Ryanair flight and galavant around Ireland for the weekend, it’s super easy and affordable to go basically wherever you want.

The train system in Austria is fantastic, and most corners of Austria have access to inexpensive flights. If you’re looking to save more money, don’t be afraid to get creative and fly out of Munich or Zurich!

5. Take the road less traveled

One of the best reasons to study in Austria is that you’ll have the choice between both busy cities and remote surroundings.

One of the best reasons to study in Austria is its proximity to more off-the-beaten-path destinations that you might otherwise not have traveled to. Everyone loves to flock to Paris or Rome, but what about the unique gems that are Budapest, Zagreb, or Bucharest? Or jaw-droppingly gorgeous Lake Bled in Slovenia, or the living fairytale of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, or any never-heard-of-it village in the Alps?

From stunning castles tucked away high in the mountains, to the most charming cities covered in glittering Habsburg history, to the quaintest hamlets with the friendliest people and best cheeses, there’s always something to explore here.

6. It’s surprisingly affordable 

Sure, it’s easy to blow your budget in any place you’re traveling to, but overall, Austria is an affordable place to study abroad. This is especially true if you’re in a city like Vienna or Salzburg with a lot of international students.

Things like housing might be a little more expensive than what you’re used to (depending on where you are in the city), but you’ll love having €2 kebabs for dinner every night, or splitting that bottle of delicious €5 wine with new friends. Studying abroad in Austria is only expensive if you make it that way!

7. The academics are top-notch

Why study anywhere else but the home of world-famous scholars and artists such as Mozart, Freud, Strauss, Klimt, Haydn, and Doppler? This small but mighty country has produced some of the most famous surnames on the planet, and it all started with a superior academic system and a culture that values innovation.

If you want to study at some of the same world-renowned universities that these geniuses attended (or taught at!), Austria is waiting for you. Check out some of our top picks for education in Austria for international students!

8. It’s not all just German

Studying abroad in Austria will give you the opportunity to gain language skills while living in a storybook setting.

Did we mention that Austria is snuggled in the middle of Europe? That means it’s surrounded on all sides by different languages. With Italian, Czech, Hungarian, many Slavic languages, and of course, German influences, Austria is a melting pot of languages, cultures, and histories. 

Because of these influences, there’s a ton of diversity between regions. Someone studying abroad in Salzburg, which is only a few miles from the German border, could hear completely different vocab than someone in Graz, which is near Hungary and Slovenia. 

9. It offers a unique view on European history

Most students are very familiar with the “German” parts of modern history (especially when it comes to World War II) but how much do you know about the Austrian side of things? From the regal-beyond-belief histories of the Habsburg empire (ever heard of Marie Antoinette?) to the atrocities of the Holocaust and powerful overcomings from their darkest time, Austria holds an incredibly unique role in European history.

There’s so much more to learn than just “Hitler was Austrian” and “the von Trapps escaped the Nazis”...studying abroad in Austria will quickly change this for you!

10. Guten Appetit! 

We all know the true way to any study abroad student’s heart is through your stomach, so it would be sinful not to mention all of Austria’s delicacies! Like we mentioned before, Austria is a melting pot of cultures, meaning there’s a ton of diversity in its cuisine.

From the divine traditional dishes like schnitzel, spätzle, strudel, and sachertorte to global influences like kebabs, falafel, sushi, fondue, and pizza, you definitely won’t go hungry here. There are so many choices that even vegans and those keeping gluten-free will also see why studying abroad in Austria is great for your stomach!

Talk to Our Online Advisor and Get Matched with 5 Study Abroad Programs in Austria for FREE

Education in Austria for international students is one-of-a-kind

Austria is an undeniably valuable location for study abroad students.

From the spectacular scenery to the fairytale villages and castles to the hopping city centers, it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with this small country. Even if you’re only looking to enroll in a month-long language school or want to immerse in a full year abroad, students of all types agree why study in Austria is the perfect experience. So, grab your dirndl or lederhosen and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Prost!

View ALL Study Abroad Programs in Austria