Faculty-led Program in Austria/Hungary (Prof. Andreini)

MUS 1100: Soundscapes - Music in Culture: European Classics (3 credit hours) 

• This is a UNIFI: Human Expression category course. The course can also fulfill other credit needs, such as UNIFI elective credit. Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

No prerequisites. All majors welcome. Participation in this program requires several class meetings during the Spring semester, although the course is scheduled as a Summer session course. The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.  

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

NOTES:

• Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
• Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Tentative Program Dates: Tuesday, May 20 - Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Dates do not include travel to/from destination)

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Students arrive and travel to their accommodations via public transport. We’ll kick off our trip with a group welcome dinner. Afterward, settle into your lodgings and familiarize yourself with local transportation options to get ready for the coming days!

Day 2: Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a half-day walking tour of Vienna's city center. We’ll explore the heart of Vienna, where the renowned pedestrian boulevards landmarks like the majestic Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), and the expansive Hofburg, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. The tour also includes a visit to the Wien Museum Mozart Apartment and St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Day 3: Tour Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, known for its imperial ceremonial rooms and magnificent, sprawling gardens. In the evening, attend a Mozart & Strauss concert at Hofburg Palace.

Day 4: A day trip to Eisenstadt, the home of the Eszterhazy Palace where Prince Nikolai Eszterhazy employed the famous composer Joseph Haydn and his orchestra.

Day 5: Enjoy a free day in Vienna. Recommended activities include visiting Belvedere Palace or Prater Amusement Park.

Day 6: Travel to Budapest via train.  Check in at the hotel followed by a walking tour of the historic Buda Castle district with a beautiful overview of the city from the Budapest Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.

Day 7: Walking tour of downtown Pest, the urban center of the city.  Our tour will begin at Deak Square.  From there we'll visit the famous “Chain Bridge” which connects the cities of Buda and Pest, visit Saint Stephen’s Basilica (free), Hungarian National Parliament, Vaci Utca (“shopping street”) and the Great Market Hall.

Day 8: Continue exploring downtown Pest.  We’ll spend time in the Jozsefvaros (the traditional Jewish district).  The district was heavily bombed in World War 2 and was also the epicenter of the 1956 Revolution but has recently been revived as a thriving arts area.  We’ll then visit Terror Museum which shows the city's darker history under Nazi and later communist Russian control. Our day will conclude with a casual evening “gypsy” influenced jazz music.  

Day 9: After a walk down the grand Andrassy boulevard, enjoy a guided tour of the Hungarian State Opera house.  We’ll have lunch at Franz Liszt Square, filled with wonderful restaurants in a district booming with music. 

Day 10: Discover City Park and Heroes’ Square, including the House of Music, Széchenyi Baths, the Art Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Day 11: Take a day trip to Szentendre, a charming town along the Danube River with cobblestone streets, vibrant arts scene, unique galleries, cozy cafés, and local craft shops. Enjoy a scenic riverside walk, have an ice cream, or visit the Marzipan Museum before returning to Budapest for an evening concert.

Day 12: Today you'll visit MÜPA (Palace of Fine Arts), including the world class Ludwig Modern Art Gallery and multiple concert venues.  Nearby, we'll cross the river to Kopaszi-gat park for a bit of relaxation.  

Day 13: Enjoy a free day with an optional day trip to Balatonfüred at Lake Balaton. Stroll along the picturesque promenade, savor the stunning lake views, and relax in a lakeside café.

Day 14: Enjoy your last final day in Budapest.  By this point, you’ll surely have some “wants” on your to do list - today is the day!  (Recommended activities include one of the many thermal baths!) or time We’ll wrap our adventure as a group and exchange stories on a Dinner Cruise on the Danube.  

Day 15: Departure day. Students travel to the airport on their own via public transportation.

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Austria/Hungary, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Stephanie will help you every step of the way. 

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Austria and Hungary

Students will stay in hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center while abroad. The cost of these hotels are included in the “Program Cost” line item of the program cost estimate. A few meals are built into the “Program Cost” (example: all breakfasts at hotels and 2 additional group meals in Austria/Hungary). Students will pay for the remaining meals out-of-pocket while traveling and are encouraged to try the local foods.