Austrian Program
Each semester, approximately 200 undergraduate students from any major have the opportunity to participate in Franciscan University of Steubenville’s renowned Study Abroad Program in Austria. Most students enroll during their sophomore or junior year. Located in the picturesque village of Gaming in the foothills of the Austrian Alps, the program is housed in a beautifully renovated fourteenth-century Carthusian monastery. All classes are taught in English by Franciscan University professors and follow the University’s standard grading system.
This unique academic experience also serves as a transformative semester of pilgrimage, offering students the opportunity to grow intellectually, culturally, and spiritually. Through excursions to major Catholic sites across Europe, participation in a vibrant sacramental life, and intentional community living, students are invited into a deeper encounter with Christ, openness to conversion of heart, and a profound experience of authentic Christian community—the three pillars that define Franciscan University’s mission.
To be eligible to participate in the Austria Study Abroad Program, students must have attained at least sophomore standing by the semester of participation. Transfer students are eligible to participate during their first semester at Franciscan University.
Participation is also contingent upon satisfactory academic and disciplinary standing. Students with serious or repeated violations of the Code of Student Conduct—including, but not limited to, academic dishonesty, harassment, substance-related offenses, or other conduct inconsistent with the mission and standards of the University—may be deemed ineligible to participate at the discretion of the University.
In addition, students must possess a valid passport by the beginning of the semester preceding their semester abroad to ensure sufficient time for visa processing and other international travel requirements.
Tuition, room, and board for the Austrian Program match those of the main Steubenville campus. Additional costs include travel, administrative fees, international health insurance, a student visa, and program-related excursions. Undergraduate participants must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours. Online courses generally do not fulfill this requirement, except for transfer students who have completed at least 60 credit hours; such students may substitute one approved online course (minimum 3 credit hours) for a seated class, with faculty chair approval. This online course must not duplicate a class offered in Gaming during that semester. A student who drops below 12 credit hours due to withdrawal from any course (seated or online) will be subject to academic review, which may lead to dismissal from the program. Students may take additional online courses beyond the 12-credit minimum in accordance with general University policies. Graduate students must maintain a minimum of 9 credit hours, including at least one seated course in Gaming. See "Gaming Typical Course Offerings" to assist with academic advising and course planning. Course availability in Gaming may vary by semester.
Honors Program students should consult the section titled “Honors Students Studying in Gaming” under the Honors Program for further guidance.
Students planning to study in Austria during their senior year must apply for graduation before the conclusion of their junior year. Any academic deficiencies are the sole responsibility of the student and may result in the cancellation of their Austrian semester.
Nursing Majors and the Austrian Program:
Nursing students participate in the Austrian Program during the fall semester of their sophomore year. Prior to departure, they must successfully complete an approved medical microbiology course during the summer and submit an official transcript to the University as proof of completion. In addition, nursing students must complete all standard program eligibility requirements within the required timeline to ensure their participation.