Spend your semester in three European capitals and engage with sophisticated analyses of Europe’s most complex challenges around the future of democracy, conflict, and international relations.
16
None
German
English
Feb 1 – May 16
Austria
Serbia, Hungary
Vienna
Varies
Geopolitics & Power
Analyze Europe’s most pressing sociopolitical and economic challenges—including the war in Ukraine—and how they intersect with issues of mass migration, refugee crises, and the rise of far-right nationalism and populism. You will examine the threat of illiberal democracies on the future of political organizing and evaluate impacts of civic engagement and social movements across different European contexts, where everyday citizens are demanding change.
The program is based in Vienna, an influential diplomatic hub at the intersection of Western, Central, and Eastern European political traditions. From this strategic vantage point, you will examine European perspectives on conflict and democracy through a comparative lens: Austria’s distinctive role in international mediation, Hungary’s experience with democratic backsliding and recovery, and Serbia’s post-conflict transformation in the Western Balkans.
In Vienna and during excursions to Budapest and Belgrade, you will engage with policymakers, academics, and civil society actors to learn about an array of political agendas, local activist movements, and regional identities within the shifting power relations of contemporary Europe. This multi-country approach provides you with a nuanced understanding of how different European regions respond to shared challenges of democracy, security and human rights.
None
Students studying on this SIT semester-length program can choose to simultaneously complete a minor, with no additional coursework or cost. At SIT, a minor is a minimum of 16 credits taken within a content area. This standout credential can help boost your future job or graduate school applications.
SIT's program in Austria offers the choice to do a minor in comparative politics or European studies. You'll develop analytical skills in comparative political analysis, conflict resolution frameworks, and democratic governance while engaging with policymakers, civil society organizations, and academics across three European capitals. Through coursework on peace studies and illiberal democracy, field visits to institutions in Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade, and your Independent Study Project or internship, you'll examine democratic backsliding, post-conflict transformation, migration policies, and populist movements while analyzing how different European regions navigate shared challenges of security, human rights, and civic engagement.
Visit Hungary, Austria’s eastern neighbor, and explore the capital, Budapest, and its beautiful architectural landmarks and vibrant urban life. Learn about Hungary’s recent post-communist transition to democracy and a free-market economy, and its EU membership since 2004. Examine Hungary’s current position in relation to EU policies on refugees and migration, the war in Ukraine, and questions related to the future of democracy and peace in Europe. Learn from local civil society actors’ claims for free media, democracy, and human rights.
As the largest urban center in southeast Europe, Belgrade not only is a dynamic political center but also an exciting and vibrant cultural center known for live music and excellent nightlife. Explore Serbia’s unique position within Europe, from the Ottoman Empire’s invasion of European lands to the legacies of the Austro-Hungarian empire, followed by the formation of Yugoslavia until its demise at the end of the 20th century. Visits to local museums and heritage institutions reveal Serbia’s place within the layers of European histories during war and peace.
Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.
The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.
Conflict and the Future of Peace in Europe
(PEAC3000 / 3 credits)
This course focuses on the developments in conflict, as well as peace and conflict resolution in Europe since the end of the Cold War to the present. From Vienna’s perspective as a hub of international diplomacy to the war in Ukraine, students use lenses of critical peace and conflict studies to comparatively explore themes of post-liberal peace, Austria’s neutrality, everyday peace and security, as well as justice, narratives, and contested memories after conflict.
Democracy, Illiberalism, and Humanitarianism in 21st Century Europe
(PEAC3005 / 3 credits)
Recent years have seen political developments across old and new democracies ranging from the rise of populist leaders and diminishing support for democratic rule to the growing polarization of public opinion. The illiberal turn is forcing many societies across Europe to face their pasts, present, and futures as internal divisions grow deeper. Through engaging lectures, discussions, and field visits in Vienna and multi-day excursions to Budapest and Belgrade, students explore challenges to democratic institutions and values across Central Europe, Western Europe, and the Balkans, developing critical insights into contemporary European political dynamics.
German I
(GERM 1003/3 credits)
German II
(GERM 2003/3 credits)
German III
(GERM 3003/3 credits
Emphasis on speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction.
Social Science Methods and Ethics in Global Contexts – syllabus
(RSCH3500 / 3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce you to the methodological tools deployed by social scientists to conduct empirically grounded and theoretically engaged research. The course will cover the basic elements of research design, the role of theory in empirical research, and the ethics for social scientific research, with particular attention to the complex ethical considerations that arise when conducting research in international and cross-cultural contexts. Students will gain hands-on experience with both basic quantitative and qualitative methods, with the flexibility to emphasize their preferred methodological approach in their final work. Using this project-based approach, the course will prepare you to design and execute social science research projects while developing competency across methodological traditions.
OR
Global Organizational Culture and Ethics – syllabus
(GOCE3500/3 credits)
This course equips students to engage meaningfully and ethically in internship experiences across diverse sociopolitical, cultural, environmental, and global contexts. Using a critical, practice-based approach, students examine the nature and purpose of internships as transformative experiential learning opportunities that connect to the program’s Critical Global Issue theme. Emphasis is placed on navigating workplace and organizational cultures, reflecting on identity and positionality in professional settings, and applying ethical principles to working globally with communities, individuals, and environments—particularly in collaboration with vulnerable populations and in sensitive ecological or habitat settings.
Choose between the following two courses:
Independent Study Project – syllabus
(ISPR3000/4 credits)
The Independent Study Project is conducted in an approved location appropriate to the project in Austria. Requests for field work in Budapest or Belgrade will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Sample ISP topic areas:
Browse this program’s Independent Study Projects / undergraduate research.
OR
Internship & Seminar – syllabus
(ITRN3000 / 4 credits)
This seminar consists of a four-week internship with a local community organization, research organization, local or international NGO in Austria. The aim of the internship is to enable the student to gain valuable work experience and to enhance their skills in an international work environment. Students will complete an internship and submit a portfolio in which they process their learning experience on the job, analyze an issue important to the organization, and/or design a socially responsible solution to a problem identified by the organization.
Sample internships:
Host family: You may choose to live with a host family in Vienna, including during your independent project or internship in the city. Living with a local family is a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the people, realities, and challenges facing the region today. While offering an excellent opportunity to improve your language skills, the homestay experience will add warmth and create lasting bonds beyond the program. Your host family will also be a great source of information about local places to visit, eat, and explore.
Residential housing: You may choose to live in a student residence in Vienna. Your residence will be furnished and include a single room with a private bathroom, a desk, linens, kitchen facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Please note that specific housing locations and amenities are subject to change.
Bed and breakfast or hotels
Recent positions held by alumni of this program include:
Fulbright research scholar
Fulbright English teaching assistant
Global networks program manager at the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, New York, NY
Senior program assistant at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Washington, DC
Leading team member with International NGOs assisting migrants
SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.
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A critical step in preparing for your study abroad program is planning how you will maintain your health and wellbeing. Please review the following information carefully and contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
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Depending on your passport of origin, you may need a visa for this program. Please contact your admissions officer for more information.
