It is very important to prepare for living in Vienna and also for your studies a in advance. This will help to reduce cultural shock, something which we all feel from time to time, by making you feel better informed and more in control.
The following tips will give you an overview of the living in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Visas
Citizens of EU countries and other countries with special bilateral agreements might not need a Visa for their first semester or another limited period of time in Austria. Other students need a Letter of Acceptance or Invitation Letter from the University to apply for Visa in Austria. This should usually be done from the home country via the Austrian Embassy.
Do not enter Austria with a tourist visa if you intend to study, as it is extremely difficult to change your status once in the country. You may even have to return to your home country and reapply for a student visa from there.
Students are strongly advised to make sure they understand the Visa regulations and conditions.
Luggage
Check the baggage allowance of the airline you will be traveling on. If your luggage exceeds the baggage allowance, it is usually much cheaper to ship goods than to pay airline excess baggage charges. Goods can be shipped by sea or air. Make sure you choose a reputable company, and insure your belongings from being lost or stolen. Remember, storage space in Vienna might be extremely limited so avoid over-packing.
Money
Some countries place restrictions on the export of money and it is essential that you make arrangements in sufficient time for the funds to be available in Vienna by the start of the academic year. Advice on how to transfer money is probably best sought from your bank at home since the local conditions and regulations vary widely. Find out what methods of transferring money are available, including the security of each method, the costs involved, and how long the process will take.
If you need any specific documentation to confirm that you are coming to Vienna, contact the Admissions office at info@iuvienna.edu.
Clothing
The shopping facilities in Vienna are plentiful and offer a range of clothing and footwear from practical to high fashion. Mariahilfer Strasse has an abundance of shopping and is conveniently located just a few blocks from IU. Also, larger shopping malls are located at Handelskai (Millennium Tower), LAgner City, Shopping City SAd, Donau Centrum (Kagran), and Shopping City Nord. These have a wide variety at reasonable prices. It is also possible to find a nice restaurant and places to relax with friends.
For the winter months you will need warm and waterproof clothing. It may be easier to buy this in Vienna where there is a wide range of clothing available at reasonable prices. If you are arriving from September to March, it may be very cool or cold so make sure that you have some warm clothing on hand when you arrive. Wearing several layers of lightweight clothing is the best way to keep warm.
If you come from a very different climate, it may be cheaper to buy your clothes once you arrive in Vienna. But do remember if you come in autumn or winter that you will need a warm jacket and an umbrella!
Most students dress in casual clothes such as jeans, tracksuits, and t-shirts. (When making in-class presentations, you are encouraged to dress in a professional manner). There is no particular dress code in Vienna; it is very much up to the individual. However, dress to be as comfortable as possible. You are also encouraged to dress with modesty, as lack of modesty can be misunderstood in many cultures and religions.
Medical Information
Prescription medication can present a special challenge. It''s not impossible to get medications shipped here, however you will have to have a note from a doctor and you should anticipate having to pay Customs fees on the incoming medications. It would be easiest if possible to get the desired amount for the days you will be gone. Or, be sure to bring a recent prescription so it can be filled in one of Viennaas many pharmacies (Apotheke).
It is also important to arrange for insurance cover before you come to Austria; in fact, you will need to prove you are insured if you need a visa. Medication in Vienna is expensive.
If you need insurance, a possibility is to obtain the Austrian private insurance at a reduced rate for IU students from Generali Insurance Group. The student can apply through IU (Business Office). The cost for an IU student is 51 Euro/monthly. (More information is available on our web site).
Other Useful Items
* Important Documents-Passport and photocopies, birth certificates (originals or notarized copies), medical, legal, or financial records, and proof of health insurance.
* Adapter plugs and converters-Austrian plugs have two round prongs and run on 220 volts. Buy an adapter and converter plugs before you come so you are able to use some of the appliances that you may bring (i.e. a laptop, kitchen equipment, etc.)
* Books and dictionaries-They are available here but may be much cheaper in your country.
* Kitchen Equipment- there are kitchens on each floor in the dormitory where many IU student choose to live; however, you must supply your own utensils and cooking ware.
* Items from home-Photos and posters to decorate your room will help you feel more at home.
* Money-It may take some time to set up a bank account in Austria so bring enough cash to cover your start-up expenses, or use your ATM card to obtain Euros directly. An enrollment confirmation from IU assists you in getting a student account at Viennaas major banks.
* Miscellaneous items-Personal medical prescriptions, a supply of recent passport-sized photos, a camera, laptop, alarm clock, movies, games, towels, etc.
Finance and Funding
Managing your finances is one of the most important and challenging aspects of a successful and enjoyable academic experience. Before you leave your home, you should ensure that your financial matters are in order.
Students are strongly advised not to embark on a course of study unless they have adequate funding to support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the course. Be realistic about the costs involved. Once you have started a course, financial assistance is extremely limited. Any forms of sponsorship should be arranged in your home country well in advance of the start of a course.
Cost of Living
Most prospective students have concerns about money. Coming to Vienna may be your first experience of living away from home and naturally, you are wondering how you will manage. Be reassured: most students do manage, albeit on a tight budget. It is important that you have a clear idea of the likely overall cost of studying in Vienna, not only tuition fees, but all the everyday expenses you will have. Prices for accommodation and daily shopping vary between different locations in Vienna.
As a rough guide to costs, a atypicala studentas basic monthly expenditure is shown below. No costs have been included for social life as these vary dramatically from student to student! Students living in Vienna should take account of the following expenditure estimates:
Monthly
Rent for a room in a dorm 230-350 Euro (for apartments it varies 200-450 Euro), including electricity/heating (Please also note that often a deposit of 3 months rent is also charged, and perhaps a finder''s fee as well)
Insurance for students: 51 Euro
Food and other incidentals: 200 Euro minimum
Public transport: 27 Euro (or 117 per semester or 4 monthsa period)
Leisure: minimum 60 Euros
Visa Extension: 100 Euros yearly
(These figures do not include sightseeing outside of Vienna)
Total: Minimum 550 Euro/Month
Shopping in Vienna
Shops in Vienna generally open at 9:30am to 7:00pm Monday through Friday and 9:30am to 5pm on Saturday. Only one Billa supermarket at Praterstern and another one at Franz-Josefs Bahnhof are open on Sundays and public holidays (very useful in case you forget something). Some of the supermarket chains are: Hofer (the cheapest), Spar, Billa, Merkur, Zielpunkt. You have to be patient on weekends and on public holidays because there might be long queues.
The Naschmarkt (U4 KettenbrAckengasse) is the largest open air market in Vienna and is open on Saturday. It is the best place to look for staple items like flowers, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, cooking utensils, clothing and etc. This can be a great shopping experience because you can bargain for the cheapest prices! Please carefully guard your wallet and personal belongings because large crowds make pick pocketing easy.
If you plan on cooking for yourself, there is no need to be concerned that you will miss the specialties of your home country; markets, specialty shops, and large supermarkets stock a wide range of authentic ingredients from around the world. Other international students will advise you on where to find your favorite products and for the cheapest price.
Prices of Everyday Products
Milk- 1a per liter
Tea bags (20-25 bags) - 1.50 - 2.50a /package
One pound Coffee- 4.50 a
Bread- 1.00- 3.00a/500g
Sugar- 1.00 a/kg
Butter- 1.50 a/ 500g
Cottage Cheese- 2.50 a/200g
Rice- 2.00 a/ kg
Eggs- 2.50a/ 10 eggs
Toothpaste- 2a a tube
Potatoes- 1.70 a/kg
Shampoo- 3a a bottle
Chicken- 9.00 a/ kg (4.50 a/pound)
International University Vienna
