Austria
Graz & Vienna, Austria
May 14 – June 5, 2010 
Total Program Fee: $4,320

     Academics and Courses    Application    Cost of the Program    Important Details 

Program Location:

Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, has long enchanted people from all over the world with images of snowcapped Alpine peaks, the intellectual and artistic ferment of Vienna's coffeehouses, and the musical and political dominance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Few countries could be more exciting to study in than Austria, a peaceful democracy with cultural and economic ties in both eastern and western Europe. Today, Austria holds a central place in the continent-wide effort to build a shared European culture. Study abroad in Austria is a perfect way for students to experience these exciting times for Europe.

Program Description:

Situated in the South of Austria, Graz offers a heady mixture of Austrian and Mediterranean culture. Graz has great weather, an impressive old town and a large and wide variety of cultural highlights. Graz is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal state of Styria (Steiermark). In this program, students will have the option of studying different levels of German language or theatre. The program will culminate in a five-day-long stay in Vienna where all program participants will attend a theatrical production in one of Vienna’s famous theater houses.

Excursions: There will be multiple excursions in and around Graz. Excursions will include visits to Old Town, Schlossberg and the Armoury of Styria as well as local museums and places of historical and cultural significance. Individual instructors will arrange local excursions related to their classes. The end of the program will include a 5 day excursion to Vienna.

Please note: Prospective students should be aware that study abroad programs require a great deal of walking. You should be prepared to walk at least a mile or two each day. You may also walk over uneven, possibly slippery or rocky terrain even in cities.

Classes: Classes will be held four hours per day during the week.

Accommodations: In Graz, students will be staying at Bildungshaus Mariatrost. Breakfast and one other meal will be provided. Students will be responsible to pay for dinner and for meals on excursions. In Vienna, we will be staying at Hotel Kugel where an extensive breakfast is served. In addition, an allowance for one other meal will be provided.

Academics:

All TnCIS programs are academic in nature and course work that takes advantage of the program location will be the central focus. TnCIS program courses are for credit only. In Austria, students will enroll in ONE of the following courses:

GERMAN: GERM 1020: Beginning German II (Prerequisite: German 1010)
This course will focus on the essentials of German, developing listening and reading comprehension, oral and written communication, and cultural understanding. See course syllabus 

GERMAN: GERM 2010: Intermediate German I (Prerequisite: German 1020)
This course will concentrate on conversation, writing, listening and reading in German. The emphasis will be on communicative proficiency. See course syllabus 

GERMAN: Intensive German Conversation (Prerequisite: German 2020)
This course will focus on intensive conversational practice in simulated and real-life situations. See course syllabus 

THEATRE: Theatre Special Topics: Dramatic Studies (No Prerequisites)
Dramatic Studies is a course taught in English and designed to enhance the student's enjoyment of plays through understanding their part in communicating the human experience and shaping culture. See course syllabus 

Application:

Applications will be available online beginning October 15, 2009 and are due on February 11, 2010. APPLY NOW. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have completed a minimum of 12 college credit hours. Eligible students currently enrolled or accepted and in good standing (this includes academic and disciplinary matters) at a TnCIS Member Institution may apply to any TnCIS study abroad program. A complete application consists of:

     1. The completed online application
     2. The nonrefundable $100 application fee (paid at your home institution)
     3. An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
     4. A letter of recommendation

Please click here to download the letter of recommendation form. This letter should be filled out by a professor who can make a statement regarding your preparedness for the program and how you would benefit from the program.

Other important forms you need to review prior to submitting your application include the program contract, agreement, medical surrogacy and medical history forms. These forms will be filled out by the applicant after being accepted into the program and turned into the TnCIS office. Details will be sent out in the acceptance letter. These forms are updated every year as needed. DO NOT complete these forms before being accepted. Any updated forms will be sent to you via email. Click here to view the forms.

Students will be notified of acceptance by email and a letter. Once accepted, please consult the TnCIS website and the email address used on your application on a regular basis for deadlines and other important information. In international travel frequent changes are to be expected. Email is the primary channel of communication for the office and you will be responsible for information sent to you via email. This information is intended to keep you updated on all activities necessary in your preparation to participate in the program.

Cost of Program:

The total cost of the program is made up of the application fee, program fee**, tuition and airfare. All fees are paid at your home institution.

Application Fee: All students are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 by the February 11, 2010 application deadline.
 
Total Program Fee: The total program fee for Austria is $4,320. It covers roundtrip international travel from Nashville, program lodging, group excursions, required ground transportation, two meals daily and limited health insurance. Expenses not covered in the total program fee are: passport, textbooks, one meal per day and personal spending money.

Tuition: All member institutions provide a tuition scholarship. Therefore, tuition is charged to the student account, but then covered by the institution.

Airfare: The group roundtrip international airfare from Nashville is included in the Total Program Fee.

**TnCIS estimates fees based on the current global financial environment and all attempts are made to keep costs down whenever possible. However, due to the constant fluctuation in the value of the American Dollar and currencies in program countries, it is possible that costs may increase. Therefore, TnCIS reserves the right to notify students regarding an increase in fees due to exchange rates by March 18, 2010. 

Payment Deadlines: February 11th - $100 Nonrefundable Application Fee
                       March 18th - Full payment due (Program fee and airfare)

Cancellation Policy: Through March 18th – Full refund less $100 application fee
                       Between March 19th and April 15th - $1500 cancellation fee 
                       After April 15th – No Refund

Important Details:

Financial Aid: Applications for financial aid (scholarships, grants and student loans) must be made through your home institution. Please consult your TnCIS campus representative (see member list) for information and instructions. Scholarships are available at many member institutions. To see FAQ’s on study abroad financial aid click here. 

Mandatory Orientation: A thorough pre-departure orientation is an essential part of your preparation to study abroad. The mandatory TnCIS orientation for all programs will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in Central Tennessee. According to Tennessee Board of Regents policy, all students must attend. Exact time and place will be announced at the beginning of March on the TnCIS website and in your acceptance notification. Please reserve the date.

Passports: It is critical that you obtain a passport if you do not already have one, or renew yours if it has expired. If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months after your return date. For an application and details on obtaining a passport or renewing one, please refer to the US Department of State passport website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Non-US Citizen Participants: If you are an international student or non-US citizen (i.e. do not hold or are unable to obtain a US passport), you must provide a copy of your current passport and a visa to enter the country of your study abroad program. If a visa is not required, a statement from the program country embassy which indicates that you have appropriate documentation for entry to that country is required. Necessary documentation is the responsibility of the participant. Please contact TnCIS for assistance.

TnCIS Contact Information:

TnCIS Office TnCIS
PO Box 22990
10915 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37933-0990

Theresa Castillo
Program Coordinator, TnCIS
tcastillo@pstcc.edu
865-539-7279