Program Site
The study center of Salzburg College is located in the historic Meierhof which forms part of the Leopoldskron Palace estate. In recent years it has become famous as the setting for the film The Sound of Music.

With a population of about 140,000, Salzburg is situated on the northern edge of the eastern Alps and close to the German border. Surrounded by picturesque mountains, the city still mirrors in its historical center over a thousand years of European history and culture. Its rich musical heritage is reflected in a great variety of concerts and other musical evens held throughout the year.

Academic Program Highlights
The program begins with a one-week academic field trip through Germany that provides a hands-on introduction to European culture as well as an opportunity to meet the other students. The trip includes visits to Trier, the oldest city in Germany, and Cologne and Bonn. A romantic drive along the Rhine introduces history, legend and literature with stops in the imperial cities of Worms and Speyer which were also centers of Jewish culture and of the Protestant Reformation. A visit to Heidelberg, medieval Rothenburg and Nuremburg complete this introduction to European "historical consciousness."

The Salzburg College program is based on the belief that a broad insight into European civilization and contemporary issues, along with language competency, will provide a meaningful basis for different areas of specialization. Several areas of concentration are offered, including European Studies (German language and literature, History, Economics and Politics, Education, Art History and Music History), Communications (intercultural Communication, Mass Media, Public Relations and Journalism), International Business (international Marketing, Public Relations, and Internships), Studio Art and Photography (including Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Museum Internships, Workshops, Personal Exhibition Opportunities and Artist Apprenticeships), Music Performance (Individual Instruction, Music Theory, the "Mozart Project," and Personal Recital Opportunities). Classroom work and field experience are integrated. Excursions, guest lectures, and interaction with local professionals are an important part of the program. Salzburg College faculty are Austrians, many of whom have also taught at American universities. Courses are taught in English. Students earn up to 15 undergraduate credits in the program.

Program Duration
Late-August - Mid-December (Fall)
Mid-January - Early-May (Spring)

Application Deadlines*
Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1

*Note: Contact Rio Salado College for exact dates.

Recommended Credits
12 - 15 credits

Transcripts
For all courses taken at the Salzburg College where there are equivalent courses in the MCCCD, the official record for those credits will be posted on the MCCCD, Rio Salado College, transcript.

Eligibility
The program is open to students with at least a 2.7 GPA who are of at least sophomore standing, 3 letters of recommendation.

Student Life
As a complement to the academic program, students take day trips to nearby towns, including both the lake and mountain district and Munich. There is also a 4-5 day field trip to Vienna. Students are housed in an Austrian homestay, which is included in the program cost. Breakfast, dinner and weekend meals are provided by the host families. Weekday lunches are served at the College. Housing assignments are based on interviews conducted during the initial field trip to Germany, where students have a chance to express their preferences concerning family circumstances, desired degree of involvement, language needs (most families speak some English), and other personal concerns. Students have classes and study at the new Salzburg College Study Center on Ursulinenplatz in the center of Salzburg.

Costs
The cost of a semester may vary as changes occur in the economies and currencies of the U.S. and Austria. The factors listed below are used to calculate program costs.

  • Tuition at Rio Salado College (assessed according to the student's residency status).
  • Program costs in Austria, including instruction, housing, application and orientation fees, insurance, books and field trips.
  • Transportation to Austria.
Financial Aid
Any financial aid for which students are eligible during the course of their study at Rio Salado College, including Pell Grants, can be used toward the cost of the program in Austria.

For More Information
Office of International Education
Rio Salado College
2323 W. 14th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 517-8416
(480) 517-8849 Fax
Contact: Erma Abeyta, Director of International Programs
OIE@riomail.maricopa.edu