Study Abroad in Klagenfurt, Austria

The University of Klagenfurt is located in southern Austria in the scenic province of Carinthia.  Klagenfurt is surrounded by the majestic southern Alps and is home to one of the largest lakes in Austria, the Wörthersee, which makes it a major tourist area.

 

For a European university, the University of Klagenfurt is a new university, having been established in 1970, and a small university, having approximately 7,500 students.  Moreover, unlike most European universities, KLU has a central campus, with a main building that houses the library, most of the classrooms, faculty offices, and student gathering places in one central location.  Most student residence halls are within walking distance from the main building.  There are also several student hangouts in the vicinity and a youth hostel.  The Wörthersee Lake is a 10-minute walk from the University.

 

KLU has four main academic units: the Faculties of Business, Cultural Studies, Interdisciplinary Research, and Technological Sciences.  Thus, it seems most suitable for students from the humanities, social sciences, business, computer sciences and math. The University of Klagenfurt boasts that it is in the center of the “Silicon Alps” for its focus on technology. 

 

KLU also prides itself on its international connections.  It has programs and contacts with more than 100 universities in Europe, the United States, Australia, Africa, and Japan.  In the U. S. its main exchange programs are with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Oklahoma.

The City of Klagenfurt has a population of about 90,000.  The area is ideal for skiing, biking, mountain biking, swimming, jogging, sailing, hiking, that is, practically every possible outdoor sport. The university is a 15-minute bus ride from the city center and a 20 minute bike ride along the canal.  The city center offers diverse cultural attractions, including a world-class opera, theater, museums, galleries, bookstores, cafes, boutiques, and restaurants.

  

CURRICULUM

 

Pacific students will take a full-time course load, consisting on the average of 6-7 courses per semester, which include German language and culture courses and regular university courses in a wide range of disciplines (KLU courses are typically 2 credits each) up to a maximum of 10 courses, or 20 credits. There are intensive language courses offered in three-week intervals, with classes held every Monday to Friday. In addition there are semester-length courses on grammar, conversation, phonetics, and culture.  Since most courses are conducted in German, students should possess advanced German-language skills.

 

HOUSING AND MEALS

 

Students will reside in rooms in one of the three main residence halls. The residence halls are located  2-30 minutes walking distance from the university.  Accommodation is organized by the ÖAD (Austrian Academic Exchange Service) and students are usually placed in double rooms. Meals are not included in the program. All of the residence halls provide communal kitchens where students can prepare their own meals.