Study in Austria
Choose Your Program
PROGRAM DEPARTURE RETURN FULL TUITION
2025 Fall Year Late August Early July $16,995
2025 Dance Fall Year Late August Early July $17,995
  • 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)

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 “Neue Mittelschule” 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 they are 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.

All students applying for the 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.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place online, dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

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.

  • 2025 Fall Departures: Students born February 28, 2008 – August 30, 2010.
  • 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.

German. Basic German language skills are necessary, and intensive individualized language tutoring can be arranged upon arrival in Austria and may be an additional fee. 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.

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.

YFU Austria offers a special dance program for interested students in addition to their classic program. Students enrolled in the dance program are enrolled in dance classes 2-3 days per week, depending on their school schedule and availability. Classes offer various styles such as ballet, contemporary, musical, acrobatics, and fitness.

PROGRAM DEPARTURE RETURN FULL TUITION
2025 Fall Semester Late August Early February $14,995
2025 Fall Semester Dance Late August Early February $15,695
2025 Spring Semester Early February Early July $14,995
  • 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)

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 “Neue Mittelschule” 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 they are 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.

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring departures). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place online, dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

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.

  • 2025 Fall Departures: Students born February 28, 2008 – August 30, 2010.
  • 2025 Spring Departures: Students born August 31, 2007 – March 31, 2010.
  • Students who are slightly over age will need approval from YFU Austria. Graduated students and students outside the age range will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

German. Basic German language skills are necessary, and intensive individualized language tutoring can be arranged upon arrival in Austria for an additional fee. 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.

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.

Study Abroad Participants
What to Expect

Austria is a Central European nation with rhythm, charm, and beauty to spare. In addition to its gorgeous and historic architecture, Austria is full of giant mountains, green valleys, and romantic lakes.

If you love the outdoors, you will definitely enjoy taking a “Spaziergang,” a leisurely walk in the gorgeous green countryside. Mountain climbing, hiking, skiing, cycling, and boating are all fantastic ways to spend a day in this German-speaking paradise. Many international headquarters for large businesses are stationed in Austria, providing a nation rich with multiculturalism and a global outlook. While in Austria, you will learn to cook Austrian dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Strudel with your host family.

Education in Austria is among the best in the world, ranking high among the most developed countries – the literacy rate in Austria is 98%. Austria is also globally recognized for its music! You could head over to the Salzburg Festival for theater and music, which takes place five weeks each summer in Mozart’s birthplace, to celebrate this beautiful staple of Austrian culture!

Travel to Austria to see amazing landscapes, drink heavenly coffee, and gain an amazing cultural perspective while listening to wonderful concerts in Vienna. Ja!

YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Austria:

YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund

Applications for Spring/Winter programs must be submitted by September 15 for review. Summer and Fall departure programs must be submitted by March 15.

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. For dance students, dance outfits or other equipment are not included in the program tuition.

Important Information
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.

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

Have questions or want to learn more about YFU Study Abroad Programs?