vienna photo
I love that in Vienna there is always something really exciting to do. You can go to the theatre, to the opera or to the ballet every weekend. And for something special to do you can go to a café, like Café Central.
– Rachel Stehouwer
Calvin College

orientation/excursions

Each Central program offers an in-depth orientation that will acclimate students to the country's language and culture as they get a feel for their new environment.

Vienna orientation
Get to know your surroundings by beginning your semester abroad with a full orientation led by your resident director. Your two-week orientation is designed to give you the tools to begin to explore your new home in Vienna. During this time, you will learn how to use the public transportation system, discover the city and complete final course registration.

Cultural excursions
One of the highlights of studying through Central College Abroad Vienna is the number of cultural activities and excursions that are included as part of your program fee. Many of these excursions, facilitated by the resident director, link directly with your course work in Austria and Germany and continue throughout the semester. Recent excursions that connected students to Austrian culture included:

  • the Wien Museum, the Archives of the Austrian Resistance, the Jewish Museum and Parliament
  • Belvedere and Schönbrunn Palaces
  • concerts, plays and theatre performances
  • a weekend trip to Prague and a day trip to the Wachau Valley

Outside of regular program excursions, many students choose to explore on their own, either over the weekend or during a semester break. In the past, students have taken advantage of the amazing skiing in Austria, as well as short trips to nearby cities such as Graz. Longer trips have taken students to Budapest, Prague and many other places in Europe.