Vienna Summer - Psychology | IES Abroad

Vienna Summer - Psychology

This program is temporarily suspended for Summer 2021. Explore our other study abroad programs for 2021, as well as details on our health & safety protocols, travel guidelines, refund policy, and more.

Tips for Navigating This Page

As you explore the details of this program across the Overview, Field Trips, Daily Life tabs and more, know that these tabs are reflective of our future programming once COVID regulations allow us to resume. If you’re considering studying abroad in the nearer future, look for term-specific tabs like Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 to see how we’ve adjusted program details to give you that IES Abroad experience you’re looking for, while keeping you safe and healthy.

Summer 2021

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to cautiously assess how we can deliver safe, quality programming this summer.

While some of the details of this program may need to shift for Summer 2021—such as housing and field trips, based on changing travel/quarantine regulations—you can rest assured knowing that the essence of this program will stay the same, including the academic focus and the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom.

As always, every decision we make for this term will be guided by our Students First philosophy, which puts you, your well-being, and your academic and personal growth at the forefront. Our advice? Give yourself the chance to study abroad this summer by submitting an application, and know that we’re planning for all of the what if’s so you can have a safe, healthy, and study abroad-filled summer. We and our refund policy have your back.

Why Vienna?

As the famous psychologist Carl Rogers once said, "This is where all the trouble started!" In Vienna, the birthplace of psychoanalysis and home to Sigmund Freud and numerous other legendary psychologists, you can experience both the history and practice of psychology from a unique vantage point. Explore the richness of this city’s past and present in an academic environment specially designed for the student of Psychology.

What You'll Study

The program is organized into three topics:

Psychology & Society in Vienna
Health Psychology & Communication Skills
Psychology of Prejudice & Discrimination

Students examining Psychology & Society learn about the emergence of psychology in Vienna and consider closely how different methodologies today both reflect and challenge Freud's legacy. Students studying Health Psychology & Communication Skills take a more practical approach as they explore the field of counseling, and develop skills in listening and empathy. Those with an interest in examining how people influence and are influenced by their social setting will take Psychology of Prejudice & Discrimination.

You also gain or build German language skills through language courses available at all levels.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

We offer unique courses that explore Psychology and related subjects through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You enroll in two or three courses, for a total of 6 to 9 credit hours (an additional fee applies for students taking more than 6 credits). German language instruction is optional, and beginning German is available for students with less than one year of college-level German.

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.

German Language
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
GR 101 - German Language in Context: Novice Abroad I	Summer	German	3
GR 201 - German Language in Context: Novice Abroad III	Summer	German	3
GR 301 - German Language in Context: Emerging Independent I	Summer	German	3

Psychology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PS 343 - Psychology And Society In Vienna	Summer	English	3
PS 353 - Health Psychology and Communication Skills	Summer	English	3
SO/PS 340 - The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination	Summer	English	3

Sociology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SO/PS 340 - The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination	Summer	English	3

Field Trips & Events

We organize various course-related trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Austrian culture and society. Destinations may include:

The Sigmund Freud Museum
The "Narrenturm" (first psychiatric asylum)
The Museum of Medical History (Josephinum)
The Federal Institute for the Blind (Bundesblinden Institut) with its Museum of the Blind

Additional program activities may include:

A day trip to the concentration camp at Mathausen
Shades tour
Viktor Frank museum
Walking tour of Jewish Vienna
Alfred Adler Center
Additional lectures in cooperation with other universities

Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Vienna is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

After arrival in Vienna, you participate in an orientation program which introduces them to the city of Vienna, the IES Abroad program, and student life in the city. During the first few days, you settle into your housing, take care of formalities, receive briefings on safety and security, and tour Vienna and the surrounding area.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Vienna, it will feel like home.

Your housing will be in single-occupancy bedrooms in an apartment. Meals are not included in the program fee.

Get to Know Your New City

Experience an Opera at the Wiener Staatsoper

Students have the incredible opportunity to see world-class opera performances for only a few euros.

Relax Along the Danube Canal

Enjoy the late afternoon sun while you take in the tranquility of this waterway.

Visit a Museum or Two on a Rainy Day

Whether you’re into classic or modern art, history, science, architecture, or nearly anything else, at least one of the 100+ museums of Vienna will interest you.

Ride the Praterturm at Prater Park

The “Prater Tower” is the highest swing ride in the world, providing both thrills and spectacular views of the city!

Sip Wine at an Authentic Heuriger

These Viennese wine taverns serve locally-produced wines and snacks to thirsty and hungry patrons who sit at long picnic tables.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Summer 2021
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2021	$4,935	$1,920	$135	$6,990

Scholarships & Aid

Featured Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.

Criteria reviewed to determine award:

Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
IES Abroad program location.
IES Abroad membership status of home campus

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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Our Center

While in Vienna, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Vienna Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Vienna experience.

Also known as the Palais Corbelli, the IES Abroad Vienna Center is an elegant, early 18th-century palace in the heart of the city and is just minutes from many of the museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions that have bestowed international fame on Vienna.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad classes in the Center’s classrooms
Relax in the lovely student lounge
Music students can take advantage of the practice rooms, recording studio, and instrument storage
Enjoy a student concert (or perform in one!) in the rococo concert hall, featuring a Steinway D

Other features include WiFi, printer access, computer lab, and a small library.

Our Staff

Morten Solvik, Ph.D.

Center Director

An international scholar, Dr. Solvik holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Music and Intellectual History from Cornell University. Born in Norway, he speaks Norwegian, German, and English fluently, and uses French as a research language.

Dr. Solvik was instrumental in setting up the IES Abroad Vienna Music Program, which he has coordinated since 1999, and has also designed and taught numerous courses in Music History. In addition to his work with IES Abroad Vienna, Dr. Solvik has served as lecturer at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst (The University for Music and Performing Arts). His teaching and administrative experience is augmented by his active and productive scholarly career as an expert on Gustav Mahler.

IES Abroad Vienna Staff

Ginte Stankeviciute, M. Sc.
Academics Manager

Katherine Mawdsley
Special Programs Manager

Meral Kölblinger
Living in Vienna Coordinator

Mathias Schmerbach
Accounting and Business Operations

Tobias Sigmund
Student Services Manager

Kaja Ciupinska
Events & Trips Coordinator

Kaja Seruga
Summer Internship Assistant

Matt Schreiber
Program Assistant

Ben Wyatt
Program Assistant

Marija Milosavljevic
Program Assistant

Dieter Strobl
Facilities and IT Manager

Gavin Lord
Health and Safety Coordinator

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.

In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.

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student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

How We Support You

We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:

International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
And more!

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