Thank you for your interest in Achievement Study Abroad.  If you have any questions, we're easy to reach and will get right back to you, normally within a work day.  Just send us an email at 

contact [@] achievementstudyabroad.org or use the contact form below.

To reach us in the event of an emergency from a US number, dial 01149 176 457 46249.

When are the application deadlines?

For the Vienna-Marburg Combined, Marburg Stand-Alone and Vienna Stand-Alone programs: April 15th for the fall semester and October 15th for the spring semester.

For the Vienna Summer program: March 15th.

Is there an application fee?

Yes, we have a $200 application fee that is due after you submit your initial application and when you decide that you would like us to start processing your application. The non-refundable fee is applied to your program fee once you are admitted to the program and enroll.

What level of proficiency in German will I need to be admitted to the program?

We believe it's not that important where your German is on a proficiency scale right now, but how important proficiency in German is to you and what you plan to accomplish through studying abroad with Achievement. For some students fluency is very important either because German is their major or they plan to take classes in their major (a natural science, for example) in German during their semester or year abroad. Other students are more focused on gaining international experience, and they take some or even most of their classes in English. On that note: there is a solid English department at the Uni Marburg, and our students, including English majors, take some amazing classes in English here. Other departments also offer part of their curriculum in English, and we help students find and register for those courses as part of our academic advising.  

For students wanting to make big strides in German proficiency, we definitely have that covered! Every day on an Achievement program provides the opportunity to immerse one's self German so that students feel increasingly comfortable in daily conversation, taking notes in class in German, and even holding presentations in German. We have had students arrive here with virtually no German who return home more or less fluent after two semesters, which is why we prefer not to have rigid language requirements. We're more interested in the student's motivation and approval from their home campus.

The housing opportunity in the castle is the ultimate immersion experience and we therefore recommend it to any student who is eager to meet and live together with other German students. For more information, contact us at castle [@] achievementstudyabroad.org and we will be in touch with application materials.

What will my living situation be like?

In Vienna, Achievement students live in international student dormitories and share a suite with two or three other students. The suite has a common kitchen area and bathroom. Each suite has private, lockable single rooms so that students have full privacy when they want it.

In Marburg, Achievement students live either in a student dormitory or in the castle, which belongs to the Uni Marburg and serves as a very unique form of self-governed (well, kind of) student housing. In both cases, Achievement students live alongside other German and international students. The dormitory rooms are single occupancy and the castle rooms are double occupancy. The cooking areas are where students often socialize.

Students interested in living in the castle (who wouldn't be?!) can drop us a line at
castle [@] achievementstudyabroad.org 
and we’ll be in touch with an application and further information.

Should I bring a smart phone or laptop with me?

Most students bring both with them, but it is entirely up to each student. Since international smart phone plans don’t always work, students may want to plan on purchasing a “brick” upon arrival in case their smart phone doesn’t work immediately, then tackle the smart phone issues later if necessary.  

The laptop is handy for skyping with family and completing homework. Wi-Fi is available in student housing in Vienna. In Marburg the housing options provide internet access via student matriculation information, which Achievement Study Abroad obtains for the students.

What are Vienna and Marburg like?

While vastly different in some ways, both cities are easy to adjust to and friendly toward American exchange students like you. 
 

With a population of around 1.7 million, Vienna is a large capital city with an excellent public transportation network and endless opportunities to discover the city and the surrounding area / Austria. The worst thing anyone can do in Vienna is hang out online in their room.  Carpe diem!

In Marburg students often remark that they are surprised at its size. While Marburg is not anywhere near the size of Vienna, it’s also much bigger than your average college town in the US. Marburg’s population is around 75,000 with another 27,000(-ish) students. So the university is not small, and the population is packed into a relatively compact area. The effect is that, in the city center there is always something going on, and the university is at the heart of the bustle. As Prof. Bunsen (yes, the Bunsen burner guy) said after leaving Marburg to assume a professorship in Göttingen: “Göttingen hat eine Universität.  Marburg ist eine Universität.” (Goettingen has a university. Marburg is a university.)

What’s included in the program fees?

Quite a lot! Starting with language course fees and some activities in Vienna, public transportation passes in Vienna and Marburg, semester fees at the Universität Marburg, get-togethers at the program director’s home, student housing for the duration of the program (including over semester breaks for full-year students), group travel that includes train fare, accommodations and museum passes, orientation, pre-departure and academic advising, grade report, Ucard with library card function.

As listed on each program details sheet, there are also expenses not included in the program fees, including:

• meals
• international airfare
• US passport
• student residence permit in Germany (applied for on-site in Marburg)
• mandatory German health insurance (done on-site in Marburg)
• textbooks
• additional personal expenses (laundry, cell phone with a local #)
• Rundfunkgebühr (around 20 EUR per month in Marburg)

Check out our program detail sheets on the programs and pricing page and be in touch if you have any questions.