See Vienna Orientation Bulletins

Affordable Eating in Vienna (Dining Booklet)

For more information, please contact Dr. Stephen Hemenway at
616/395-7616 or hemenway@hope.edu.

Program Objectives

In 2013, the Hope College Vienna Summer School celebrates its 57th year!  This summer’s two sessions offer college credits in numerous academic fields: German Language 1 and 2, Vienna’s Musical Traditions, Austrian Art and Architecture, Modern Austrian History, Empires of the World and Mind, Theology and Ethics (An Illustrated Guide), Intercultural Communication, Economic and Business Issues in the European Union, a Senior Seminar on “Vienna:  Values in Transit,” and Independent Studies. Field trips within Austria and excursions to neighboring countries add a significant dimension to the learning experience.  The program, open to qualified applicants of any age who have completed at least one year of college before summer 2013, has a maximum of 55 students per session.  Minimum grade point average for acceptance is usually around 2.80.  A student on disciplinary probation will need clearance for eligibility.   

Since the pioneer days of 1956 when the late Dr. Paul G. Fried (history professor and director of international education at Hope College) founded the Vienna Summer School, more than 3,000 students from at least 200 colleges and universities have discovered how summer study in Vienna can provide them with a meaningful introduction to the rich heritage of European civilization.  Dr. Stephen I. Hemenway, current director of the Vienna Summer School and professor of English at Hope, will lead the group in Vienna for his 38th consecutive year.      

Living in Vienna

Vienna Summer School combines serious academic study with the benefits of living in a culturally rich city.  Students reside with Austrian families, usually in double rooms, where breakfast is provided and clothes are laundered; they receive monetary refunds for daily dinners and are urged to explore local restaurants.  Students from previous summers have contributed 350 restaurant reviews to "Inexpensive Eating in Vienna," a guide provided to all participants.  Some use kitchen facilities at their residences to prepare light meals.  Students receive weekly transportation passes valid on all trams, buses, subways, and trains in metropolitan Vienna.

Cultural Activities

Vienna features everything from famous choirboys to fabled coffeehouses, from Sachertortes to the Spanish Riding School, from baroque churches to a modern United Nations complex. While in Vienna, German-language students improve fluency; art/architecture and theology students explore museums and churches; students in history and “Empires” courses visit Habsburg residences and World War sites; music students attend operas and concerts; communication and business students meet experts from international agencies; “Values in Transit” students question distinguished Austrian speakers daily.  Many of these opportunities are available to all participants. Students get reimbursements for cultural events connected with courses.  Non-credit German-conversation classes meet a few afternoons each week.  Beginners find these survival sessions beneficial, while those with German abilities gain more confidence.

Flights

For students participating in the full program or first session only, Dr. Hemenway has reserved group flights on Tuesday, May 7, from Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago with arrival in Vienna on Wednesday, May 8.  Students with other flight arrangements must arrive in Vienna no later than noon on May 8 for bus rides to Mörbisch (a village near the Austro-Hungarian border) for orientation.  For second session students, group flights from Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago depart on Thursday, May 30, and arrive on Friday, May 31.  All students must arrive in Vienna by noon on May 31 for orientation.  Return dates from Vienna (or other cities) are open, but flights from Vienna to Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago have been reserved on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 22, for students leaving at the end of each session.  Participants will receive complete flight information and options in December.

Weekend Excursions

On weekends, Dr. Hemenway arranges and leads excursions to places outside of Vienna.  Plans for the first session include two-day weekends in Salzburg (Austria) and Prague (Czech Republic). The second session features a two-day weekend in Budapest (Hungary), an overnight hiking trip in the Austrian Alps, and a weekday in Bratislava (Slovakia).  Since weekend trips are considered part of the academic program, costs of transportation, hotels, guides, admissions, breakfasts, and dinners are included in the overall price.

Courses and Faculty

Students may enroll for either or both of the consecutive sessions.  Each student selects one course per session for four hours of credit.  Classes may be audited, but full tuition must be paid. Transcripts for non-Hope students are sent to home colleges for credit transfer.  Enrollment for each course is limited to 15; a course with low enrollment may be canceled.  German-language courses are taught partly in German, but all other classes are taught in English.  Most courses fulfill “general education” requirements for Hope students.  Classes convene at the Austro-American Institute of Education across the street from the Opera in central Vienna. 

Independent Study Projects

Independent Study Projects that make specific use of the Vienna locale are possible during either session, but second session is preferable.  A project, worth four hours of credit, is an alternative to listed courses. Prior approval (with project goals and outline) must be obtained from the appropriate department and from Dr. Hemenway, who arranges meetings with Austrian resource persons and supervises the project.  Former students have pursued independent studies in creative writing, political science, education, sociology, theater, film, music, religion, and German literature.

Course Offerings

First Session Orientation and Classes -8 May to 30 May

German I stresses basic skills necessary to communicate in German.  Students earn credit for German 101, the first component of the Second Language general education requirement.  Prof. Karen Kalser, free-lance teacher and mother of four, has taught in the program since 1996. 
 
Vienna’s Musical Traditions focuses on Vienna's contributions to classical music and opera (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Strauss, Mahler, Schönberg).  Students may get credit for Music 295 or History 295 or fulfill the Arts I (Music 101) or Cultural Heritage II (History 131*) general education requirement.  Dr. Wolfgang Reisinger, a Viennese native with Ph.D. degrees in Music from the Universities of Vienna and Kansas, has served as director of the Vienna Church Music Conservatory and organ consultant for the Vienna Archdiocese.  He composed music sung during Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 visit to Austria.  Student homework includes attendance at the world’s finest operas and concerts.
 
Modern Austrian History fulfills the Cultural Heritage II (History 131*) general education requirement or is an elective (History 295).  The course focuses on Austria from the decline of the Habsburg Empire, through both World Wars, up to Austria’s entry into the European Union.  Museum visits, walking tours, and films make Austrian history come alive.  Dr. Herberth Czermak--Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire, professor-emeritus at the University of Vienna’s Institute for Translators, and teacher for many American programs overseas--has taught in the Vienna Summer School since 1987. 
 
Austrian Art and Architecture focuses on the rich treasures of the Baroque and Rococo, for which Vienna provides an ideal setting.  Austrian artifacts from Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Biedermeier, and Modern periods are also examined.  Many classes occur in museums, palaces, monasteries, and churches.  Students may earn credit for Art 295 or History 295 or fulfill the Arts I (Art 111) or Cultural Heritage II (History 131*) general education requirement.  Dr. Beatrice Ottersböck, noted art historian and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, has taught in numerous American programs here since 1968.
 
Empires of the World, Empires of the Mind fulfills the Cultural Heritage II general education requirement (IDS 172).  Incorporating literature, philosophy, and history from the 16th to the 20th centuries, the course examines cultural/intellectual developments of Central Europe from the Holy Roman and Austro-Hungarian Empires to the dawn of modern Austria.  Readings include fiction (Kafka), history (Morton), philosophy (Kant, Nietzsche), and cultural criticism (Freud).  Dr. Janis Gibbs, Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializes in the interplay of religious, social, and cultural factors in early modern German cities. 
 
Theology and Ethics: An Illustrated Guide fulfills the Religion 200-level general education requirement (Religion 260).  It examines Christian beliefs about God, creation, evil, salvation, and their implications for Christian ethics.  Students read key biblical texts and theological commentaries and take field trips to churches, museums, and performances to learn how the arts exemplify theological themes. Dr. David S. Cunningham, Ph.D. from Duke University, Professor of Religion, and Director of Hope’s CrossRoads Project, focuses on the intersection of theology and the arts as one of his academic specialties. 
 
*History 131 counts for CH II if a student has taken or will take IDS 171 or IDS 175 for CH I.  Consult the Hope College Catalog and your advisor.

Second Session Orientation and Classes - 30 May to 21 June

German II, a continuation of German I with Prof. Kalser, develops the acquisition of a communication knowledge of German.  Students earn credit for German 102, the second component of the Second Language general education requirement.  German 101 or its equivalent is a prerequisite.
 
The Austrian Art and Architecture course is offered during this session by Dr. Ottersböck (see description under First Session).
 
The Empires of the World, Empires of the Mind course is offered during this session by Dr. Gibbs (see description under First Session).
 
Intercultural Communication (Communication 295) lets students use their experiences in Vienna as experiments in new ways of understanding their own and other cultures. They explore how cultural “programming” affects different areas of life, business, and communication.  They examine the immigrant experience, culture shock, language barriers and biases, and intercultural competence.  Each student becomes a “cultural detective” preparing a relevant project.  Field trips to the United Nations, Central Bank, etc., supplement lectures and readings.  Prof. Elisabeth Cassels-Brown, M.A., teaches International Business at Vienna’s Webster University and has taught various courses for the Hope program since 1992.  
 
Economic and Business Issues in the European Union fulfills the Social Science I (Block B) general education requirement as Economics 200 or 211 or a major elective requirement as Economics 395 or Management 395.   This course provides an understanding of economic principles and policies of the European Union and examines the impact and implications of the EU and its single currency on businesses and people.  Readings, discussions, and field trips explore these issues under the guidance of Prof. Brian Gibbs (Hope alumnus), lecturer and Ph.D. candidate at Regensburg University in Germany.  With 25 years of experience in strategy and operations consulting to businesses worldwide, Gibbs has served many vital roles in the summer school since 1985. 
 
Vienna: Values in Transit celebrates its 25th year as a Senior Seminar course (IDS 495).  Students in this values-oriented class listen to and question the philosophies and life choices articulated by daily speakers from Austria and other countries.  Distinguished artists, business people, clergy, environmentalists, politicians, teachers, and World War II veterans and victims share their life stories.  Under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Hemenway (Ph. D. from University of Illinois), students interact with speakers and each other, write journals, and formulate personal views for a "Philosophy of Life" paper.   Prerequisite:  at least second-semester junior status.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Approximately $35,000 is available in scholarships for Vienna 2013.  One blue scholarship application form suffices for a student applying for any of eleven endowed funds:  Jurries Family, Gibbs Family, DeNooyer Family, Fried, Mitsos, Fritz, Hemenway, Snow, Cady-Blom, Doublestein, and Austrian Faculty Funds.  Descriptions of and specific requirements for each scholarship are listed on the form.  A student applying for any of the first seven funds must have the scholarship application signed by someone in his/her Financial Aid Office to verify financial need.  Each applicant must also submit a creative essay; see blue scholarship application for explicit details.  Completed scholarship applications and essays are due at the International Education Office by Wednesday, November 28.  Last year more than 20 students received partial awards ranging from $500 to $3,000. Students may also check with financial aid officials about guaranteed student loans.

Applications

Application and scholarship forms are available from Ms. Kendra Williams at Fried International Center, 116 Martha Miller Center, 257 Columbia Ave., Hope College, Holland, MI 49423 (phone: 616/395-7605; email: kwilliams@hope.edu), or from  Dr. Stephen Hemenway, English Department, Lubbers 310, Hope College, Holland, MI 49422-9000 (phone: 616/395-7616; email: hemenway@hope.edu).  Early (pre-Thanksgiving) applications are encouraged; some first session classes generate wait lists.  Deadlines are listed in the Calendar.

Program Costs

1) Full Six-Week Session with Weekend Trips* = $6,800.  Included are tuition costs for eight semester hours of academic credit, German language instruction, housing, breakfast and dinner every day (including weekends), tram-bus-subway passes in Vienna, cell phones, orientation/farewell festivities, and most field trips/excursions required for courses.  Also included are transportation, hotels, guides, admissions, and special events for weekends in Salzburg and Prague during first session and for weekends in Budapest and Austrian Alps and day trip to Bratislava in second session.  A student enrolled for both sessions saves $500. 
2) First Session Only with Weekend Trips* = $3,800.  Included are tuition costs for four semester hours of academic credit, etc. (see everything listed in first sentence in #1) plus costs for out-of-town orientation and weekend excursions.
3) Second Session Only with Weekend Trips* = $3,500.  Included are tuition costs for four semester hours of academic credit, etc. (see everything listed in first sentence in #1) plus costs for weekend excursions.
4) Round Trip Flight Estimates:  7 May departure = $1,290; 30 May departure = $1,695
This flight fee, paid directly to a travel agent, is not part of the Hope College costs.  Return dates are negotiable individually.

*The above cost estimates are based on prices and exchange rates as projected in September 2012.  They may be revised if economic or political conditions change significantly. 

Calendar

Deposit/Refund Policy & Notice of Nondiscrimination

Upon written notification of your acceptance, a deposit of $300 (which will be applied to final balance) must be made by January 9 for scholarship winners, January 14 for all others accepted in December (or later for January applicants); $200 is nonrefundable.  Half of balance is due by 29 March 2013; final half is due by 26 April 2013.  If you withdraw from the program before classes begin, the unexpended portion of the fee will be returned.  After classes begin, refunds cannot be made except for grave reasons.  Hope College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, creed, or handicap to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Hope College.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, creed, or handicap in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school administered programs.

New Photographic Credits: Amanda Black, Delilah Clement, David Cunningham, Allyson Dreger, Anna Klein, Samantha Lorden, Elizabeth Meiusi, Andrew Robitaille.