Student Comments
IGE Vienna has afforded me the opportunity to enrich myself academically and culturally in a fun and exciting environment. At IGE, you are more than just a name in the program’s roster. The small group size allows for a more intimate experience that is responsive to your personal interests and objectives. However, probably the best thing about IGE is the emphasis it places on integrating you into the local community. By living in a dorm with Austrian students and studying at the same university, you gain a much deeper appreciation for the Viennese culture and way of life. IGE has been one of the best decisions of my college career, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an exciting and enriching experience in one of Europe’s most underrated cities.
Tyler – Dartmouth College, Winter 2010
As far as study abroad programs go, IGE is an absolute gem. The degree of personalization in this program is incredible. While tons of programs claim that you can make your abroad experience into exactly what you want, IGE gives you the freedom and resources to actually do it. My time in Vienna has been absolutely amazing. We have all been able to become extremely comfortable in a completely foreign environment with little trouble simply as a result of the hard work of our program directors and faculty. People aren’t just an office here. The small size of our group has allowed everyone to express themselves as a individual and not get lost in the shuffle. Our professors actually care about our well-being and want to get to know us as people, not just students. The way IGE is set up makes going to class into an actual rewarding experience instead of a chore. You will learn more about Viennese culture, history, and life than ever expected and have a fantastic opportunity to adopt an amazing city as your second home.
Brooke – University of Denver, Winter 2010
The IGE Vienna program is an amazing cultural experience that you won’t regret being a part of. Some of the specific advantages of the program are the housing arrangments and the professors. You get to room in an international house, which if you take advantage of, will cause you to meet a ton of new friends and build great relationships with people from all over Europe. The local professors are also outstanding because they give you an experience from their local point of view that is hard to find.
Brent – University of Denver, Fall 2009
In large part, my choice of study abroad programs was influenced by the fact that I am dyslexic, and I wanted to ensure that I would have the resources I needed to have a successful experience. First, I wanted a small program would allow me to get to know the other participants and give me the same type of individual attention I regularly get in classes at DU. Second, although I was interested to learn to speak a new language, I wanted the instruction to be in English. Finally, I was interested in studying somewhere in Europe. I identified three programs that met my criteria: the faculty-led programs in London and Bologna, and IGE Vienna. After researching each program and getting input from friends and former participants, I ultimately choose the IGE Vienna program because its class offerings and because it provided an excellent location for traveling around Europe.
Noah – University of Denver, Fall 2009
There is a lot to say about IGE: Vienna but the most important is that it is the time of your life! You will never have another opportunity in your life to experience this. Through the IGE program, I learned a ton about this incredible city, the surrounding area, the culture, language and life itself. I enjoyed every minute of this program and I can’t wait to go back. I even had a friend from another Study Abroad program come and visit me in Vienna and we spent the weekend talking about how much she wished she had chosen IGE: Vienna.
Eric – University of Denver, Fall 2008
IGE Vienna provided the greatest study abroad experience I could have asked for. The IGE staff and faculty in Vienna provide a home away from home atmosphere, which really made me feel comfortable throughout the experience. Classes were very relaxed yet thought provoking and the trip included in the program was one of the best trips I took while abroad. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to visit an exciting European city with a laid-back feel!
Faven – University of Denver, Fall 2008
The IGE Vienna program provided me with a cultural experience that you can’t put a price on. From the beginning you are provided with the tools and helpful instructions you need for living abroad in Central Europe that best comes from someone who actually lives in Austria, the Program Director and his family. The personal attention you are provided is something you won’t receive from many other study abroad programs that feel as though they are run with business in mind, not your experience abroad.
Chris – University of Denver, Fall 2008
IGE Vienna was THE highlight of my educational career at the University of Denver. I felt extremely blessed to be a part of that group. For me, choosing a study abroad program among the countless offered at DU came down to 4 factors:
1. Travel to a place most people don’t consider (for whatever reason), a place off the beaten path – now don’t think that makes Vienna a small town out in the middle of nowhere. Quite the opposite. It’s the metropolitan epicenter of Europe, smack dab in the middle. Look it up on a map if you don’t believe me;
2. Travel with a group – I needed that extra security blanket, being my first time abroad and having an instant group to travel with, a Professor (Kevin) to coordinate when needed from Denver OR from Vienna, and friends to laugh with while you learn German, all created comfort being so far away from home.
3. A flexible program – I was a student athlete, played for the DU Women’s Soccer Program. Thanks to an injury I suffered my junior year, I had an extra year of eligibility which afforded me the opportunity to go abroad. But I needed a program that would allow me to finish some remaining credits and make it back for graduation ceremony. The IGE Vienna group helped with the logistics every step of the way. I was able to finish my credits, get back for graduation without hitting any speed bumps.
4. Finally, Travel somewhere I’d want to visit again with my family – historical, cultural, musical, theatrical, artistic, modern, bustling, FUN! I enjoyed my trip so much with the IGE Vienna group that I’m taking my first reunion trip with my mom just two years after I was there. I’ll be there in March 2010, look me up!
Elise – University of Denver, Winter Quarter 2008
IGE Vienna is like a family. If you have never studied abroad before, IGE is the best way to go. The IGE staff and faculty know exactly what you are thinking as an American student in a foreign country that doesn’t speak English and at first they act as a gateway into a new culture, language and lifestyle. The problem with big programs is that they don’t have people who actually care about your growth and development as a student abroad. IGE, however, will not hold your hand through the whole experience. You will get plenty of opportunities to travel on your own and to do your own thing. At the place you will be living, (Europahaus) you will get the opportunity to meet other European students. After a while you don’t feel like you’re an American hanging out with European students, you just feel like everyone is a college student. If you want to start learning German, IGE is a great starting place to do that as well. They have great language learning courses and you will also learn German from the other European students at Europahaus. If you want the complete study abroad experience IGE is it.
Alex – University of Denver, Fall 2007
My time abroad in Vienna with the Institute for Global Education (IGE) in the fall of 2007 was one of the most illuminating experiences of my life. IGE Vienna offered me a unique experience to study in a country rich with culture and history, build upon my language skills through formal classes and personal interactions, travel the continent with very knowledgeable professors at my side, experience a different way of life, and network with local students and professionals in similar fields of study. The accommodations were fantastic as they allowed us to interact with fellow students from all over the world and eventually become very good friends with many of them. The professors, both the American and the Viennese, were well versed in their respective fields and offered us unique insights into not only our studies but to the world. Overall, the trip was invaluable and offered me so much more in return than I ever imagined.
Matt – University of Denver, Winter 2007
I had the unique privilege to study abroad twice during my college career. Both of my semesters abroad were with different organizations, but my time abroad with the other program hardly compared to my experience with IGE. Ability to travel, cultural immersion, and academic quality were all far superior during my time with IGE in Vienna. In addition, the level of attention and care directed towards the students by the IGE staff and faculty differed greatly from the hands-off approach by the larger program. This resulted in a much easier transition to the new culture and environment. I greatly miss my time abroad in Vienna with IGE and would recommend the program to anyone looking to study abroad.
Jake – University of Denver, Winter 2007
I was so glad I chose to join IGE Vienna for my study abroad experience. I absolutely loved our small group of individually unique people. Our leaders truly took the time and energy to plan a great, diverse learning experience with the few group travels, cultural tours of Vienna, and exceptional classes. By the end of my time with IGE Vienna, I felt that I had a comprehensive understanding of the life and culture of Vienna, Austria along with countless memories of the many adventures that will be with me for a lifetime!
Rashawna – Point Loma Nazarene University, Spring 2007
My study abroad with IGE Vienna was by far the most culturally enriching and rewarding experience of my life. The limited number of people that IGE accepts for their term works towards the student’s benefit as he/she will develop a close “family type” relationship with their fellow “study abroad” partners which is unique when compared to other programs. Kevin and Aimee are incredibly gracious hosts and play an interactive role in their students experience while abroad. The weekend excursions with Kevin to the capitals of Eastern Europe are some of the most memorable of the term. The amount of culture, history, museums and diversity that Vienna posseses makes it a city comparable to few and will provide the student and endless amount of activities in which to participate. I recommend this program for anyone that wants a renewed perspective of the world and a chance to explore a continent that has much to offer. I would do it all over again if I had the chance.
