Austria
Karl-Franzens University in Graz - Fall or Spring Semester Exchange
Full Information: Modern Languages website.
Faculty Liaison: Prof. Cordula Brown, cordulab@seattleu.edu, Modern Languages & Literature, Xavier Hall
Overview: Karl-Franzens-University, with approximately 22,000 students, was founded in 1585, and is the second largest university in Austria. The university is based in the beautiful Austrian cultural center of Graz. The program is generally offered in the fall for the full year, although very advanced language students may participate only in spring semester.
Courses and course credit: Students have the option of several language, rhetoric, culture, business and internationally-focused courses geared towards American exchange students. Students with sufficient language ability can take advantage of additional courses taught in German. A standard full-time load at Karl-Franzens University is 30 ECTS credits per semester or 60 ECTS credits per year. 30 ECTS credits will transfer to Seattle University as approximately 22.5 quarter credits. Classes are worth between 3 and 6 ECTS credits. In order to satisfy Seattle University CORE or Major/Minor requirements, courses must be worth at least 6 ECTS credits. It may be possible to combine Graz courses (with a similar topic) to fulfill SU requirements. Students can earn credits towards general electives at the standard credit conversion rate (2 ECTS credits = 1 semester credit = 1.5 SU credits). Students should meet individually with the Education Abroad Office and their academic advisor to determine course equivalencies. To see course listings, please find full information on the Modern Languages website.
Academic Fees: As an exchange program, you will simply pay SU fulltime student tuition for the duration of the program. Students will be responsible for covering room, board, personal, etc. expenses in addition to the tuition.
Housing: Dormitories (Residence Hall or Apartment Style). Cost for housing varies between EUR 600 and EUR 1,250 per semester (Double Occupancy). Food costs are additional and meal plans are not available. It is estimated that the average cost of living per semester (rent, food, books, health insurance, local transportation) is roughly between EUR 2,500 and EUR 4,900.
Semester Dates: The academic calendar at Karl Franzens University is based on a semester system, but the dates do not coincide with semester-based schools in the U.S. Semester I starts at the beginning of September and lasts until the end of January. Semester II starts at the beginning of February and lasts until the end of June. The academic year lasts from September through June.
German Language Proficiency Test: A proficiency exam is not required for exchange students.
Orientation: Orientation for international students takes place at the beginning and end of September. During orientation, students will attend info sessions about courses and will register for classes. Additionally, student will attend an intercultural orientation.
Related Links
Karl-Franzens University in Austria
Example of Participant Acceptance Letter
Country Specific Information