Stanford-Vienna Exchange
Learn more about the exchange program between MIP and the Vienna School of International Studies (DA).
Three months is not a very long time to be away from Stanford, and there's a lot to gain: the experience makes you rethink prejudices, experience new ways of learning, new people, and how they deal with things differently coming from various backgrounds.
María García Lecuona
MIP Alumna, Class of 2015
The Stanford–Vienna Academic Exchange is an Autumn Quarter exchange program between MIP and the Vienna School of International Studies (DA). Two second-year students from each institution are selected by application to receive fellowships to spend Autumn Quarter in an academic exchange at the other institution. The DA is a postgraduate professional school dedicated to preparing talented graduates for international careers and positions of leadership in international affairs. Training areas encompass international relations, political science, international and EU law, economics, history and languages.
Studying at the Vienna School of International Studies
At the DA, MIP students will work with renowned European scholars and a diverse, vibrant group of students at one of Europe’s most highly regarded international studies institutions.
In particular, MIP students will have the opportunity to:
- Focus on European Union issues and policies
- Enroll in intensive German or French language study
- Take study trips to other regions of Europe, and visit the many international organizations headquartered in Vienna and nearby cities
- Participate in specialized courses and seminars led by prominent scholars with the goal of training students for careers in international organizations, public service, and international business
- Academics
- Funding
- Housing and Transportation
- Health Insurance
- Contact Information
Academics
Academics
MIP students enroll in a combination of advanced courses, language courses, and skills courses. The official course list for the autumn trimester at the DA will be available in late August−early September.
Additionally, MIP students will be eligible to enroll in any upper-division course at the DA for which they are qualified. With approval, MIP exchange students may also seek to perform directed research under the supervision of a DA faculty member.
Participating students must complete all requirements listed in the M.A. curriculum, however, the minimum number of Stanford units required to graduate will be reduced to 65. In addition to the 65 units, MIP students must complete, at minimum, three full-time courses at the DA (15 units or more). Coterms, joint, or dual degree students must complete 54 units at Stanford University, not including coursework taken at the DA in Vienna.
Academic Advising
MIP students will meet with academic administration at the DA during orientation week to discuss course enrollment. Students will then send their proposed list of courses to the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs for approval. Enrollment will be available at the DA in late September−early October.
Enrollment Status
During the exchange quarter, the selected MIP students will maintain the status of "active but not enrolled" at Stanford, i.e., they cannot take courses through Stanford University. Students will receive official transcripts from the DA for Autumn Quarter. The exchange quarter at the DA will not be listed on students’ Stanford transcripts.
Grades
DA grades received by MIP students will not be factored into their Stanford GPAs. However, students will be required to maintain good academic standing and adhere to the Honor Code and Fundamental Standard.
For more information on academics and funding, please download the 
Stanford-DA Exchange Outbound Student Information.
Stanford-DA Exchange Outbound Student Information.Funding
Students receive a fellowship for autumn that includes one quarter of Stanford tuition, roundtrip flight to/from Vienna, housing, a living stipend for meals, books, supplies, and other personal expenses. Additionally, students may apply for an academic development travel grant to take advantage of their location in Europe. Past participants have used this grant for activities related to their program of study, such as presenting at a conference in Germany, visiting International Organizations in Brussels or Geneva, or performing research in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In exchange, students will be evaluated on how well they met their proposed course objectives and be expected to write a short report and donor letter describing their experience and the impact of the exchange on their development in the MIP program.
Housing and Transportation
Students will be assigned private dorm rooms at the DA, centrally located in Vienna, and will have full access to all student resources including libraries, gyms, and social areas.
Arrival Information
The arrival date for MIP students is generally around September 20, although students may be able to move into their rooms earlier in the month. Students' departure date roughly coincides with the end of Stanford's Autumn Quarter in mid-December. Please visit the DA website to view their academic calendar.
Please note: Prior to orientation, most DA administration and faculty will be on vacation, so there will be limited activity on campus. However, students can leave luggage in their rooms and travel during this period if they wish.
Health Insurance
Students will be enrolled in Cardinal Care and charged the annual fee unless they opt out in Axess by September 15. In order to do so, students must provide evidence of alternative coverage. For students who have Cardinal Care, Vaden Health Center suggests that students register with Health Net in advance of travel.
Contact Information
How to Apply
Eligibility
To be eligible, MIP students must have completed one full year of credit (45 units) by the start of the exchange in Autumn Quarter. Students must also be in good academic standing, both to apply and participate, and they must have no restrictions on spending the entire quarter in Vienna, Austria. Please see the University Bulletin for policies on academic standing.
Deadlines
Application deadline: March 9, 2020
Notification email sent to applicants: no later than March 30, 2020
Deadline to commit to participate: April 24, 2020
How to Apply
MIP students must submit the following materials to Jonathan Achter:
- Application Form
- Statement of Purpose (explain your interest in the program, applicable background, and ways your participation in the program would further your academic and professional goals)
- Unofficial Stanford transcript
- Resume
Applications will be evaluated on academic performance, demonstrated interest in European studies, and alignment of academic and professional goals with the exchange program.