Austria, the heart of Europe and home to the great composers Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven is perfect for German-speaking students looking for a taste of history combined with modern studies and technology. Austria’s magnificent landscape lends itself to numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, swimming, and biking.
Founded in 1966, Johannes Kepler Universitat Linz (JKU) is a modern, campus-style university with innovative interdisciplinary programs in business and technology, and a renowned center for computer research. Many courses are available in English. The university is located in a residential area 10 minutes from downtown by tram. Total enrollment: about 16,000 students (about 1,500 international students).
This program is best for a student that is independent. A student must be comfortable with advocating for themselves on campus to thrive in this location. Student services and especially class registration may not be at all similar to what is done at the College and may be difficult for some students to adjust.
Learn more about the Johannes Kepler Universitat Linz here! Read the ISEP Country Handbook to learn more about visa requirements, educational system, and culture.
Experiences of Former Students
Read a story by an ISEP student who studied abroad at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz.
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To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:
Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information). |
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Located on the banks of the Danube, Linz has its origin in a Roman settlement and served as a residence for German emperors during the Middle Ages. The third largest city in Austria, Linz is a flourishing industrial, commercial and cultural center. The main square in the center of the city, laid out as a market place in 1260, is surrounded by a pedestrian zone with a variety of shops and cafés. From Linz, it is an hour drive to the Austrian Lake District with sailing, mountaineering and skiing facilities. The city’s central location provides numerous opportunities for day and weekend excursions, and breathtaking skiing destinations are close by. As an ISEP student, you will be assigned an Austrian student mentor to assist you upon your arrival. The student union also ensures that ISEP students have a great time during their stay in Linz. The team organizes regular events and trips within Austria as well as to Budapest, Prague and more. During its pre-semester program JKU also offers a complementary “Cultural Sensitivity” training (free) and various tours to local places of interest (some for a small fee). Numerous sports classes are offered by the University Sports Institute (10 to 20 Euros per semester). |
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As an ISEP student, you can build your own program by choosing your courses from a variety of fields. Use the notes for course searching to help you find which courses are available. Take courses in either English or German at this modern, campus-based University in the high-tech city of Linz, the third-largest in Austria. One of the European Capitals of Culture, Linz offers modern museums, research facilities and front-row views of the Danube River. Innovative, interdisciplinary programs in business, economics, technology and the social sciences are offered for students at all language levels and pre-session German courses are included in ISEP benefits. Economics and business administration, mathematics in industry, physics, polymer engineering and computer science are recommended for ISEP participants. Website for Course Availability COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH Strong subjects for students wishing to take courses in English are business, economics, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics. Students may also take courses from other faculties provided they can find enough courses in English to fulfill their requirements. JKU offers a 2-3 week intensive German course prior to the beginning of each semester (included in ISEP benefits). 2-8 hours a week of Intensive German courses are available during the academic year in conjunction with a reduced number of regular courses (included in ISEP benefits). About 300 courses are taught in English each semester. Fields of Study
HINTS FOR RESEARCHING COURSES
Researching courses in English on an Austrian university homepage can be difficult and confusing. Here find a quick guide to navigating a university website, finding courses in both English and German, and some translations of common words and major fields of study. Here is a link to Courses.
Registration and Credit Issues
What to Expect Link to the University Home Page.
Academic Environment and Teaching Style Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm. Professors are often more formal than those in the United States. All courses/modules may have prerequisites. Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it. Be aware of these limitations. Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette. |
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ORIENTATION
Linz has situated 180 km from Vienna and 140 km from Salzburg and can be reached easily by train or plane. On request exchange students can be picked up from the train station or the airport Linz by a student representative of the REFI (exchange student network) organization.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES The city’s central location provides numerous opportunities for day and weekend excursions, and breathtaking skiing destinations are close by. As an ISEP student, you will be assigned an Austrian student mentor to assist you upon your arrival. The student union also ensures that ISEP students have a great time during their stay in Linz. The team organizes regular events and trips within Austria as well as to Budapest, Prague etc. During its pre-semester program, JKU also offers a complimentary “Cultural Sensitivity” training (free) and various tours to local places of interest (some for a small fee). Numerous sports classes are offered by the University Sports Institute (10 to 20 Euros per semester). |
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Students receive a housing stipend and choose the residence hall of their choice; the stipend covers housing in a double-occupancy room. A stipend is provided to cover the cost of meals. |
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For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange program includes orientation, on-site director, college fees, housing and a stipend to cover the equivalent of 19/meals per week. Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:
Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change. You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution. Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices. Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here. |
Program Dates
Spring ONLY: Early March to Early July
All dates are tentative and may change. ISEP will alert all accepted students of final dates.
Program Type
Exchange
ISEP Exchange chance of placement for US students is generally Good.
Languages of Instruction
English