Welcome Parents

Many of our students refer to their semester in Austria as the most impactful, transformative experience they had at Franciscan. Between the educational value of learning about history and culture within the setting where it happened and the personal enrichment of setting off on an international adventure, everything about the Austria Program helps our students—your children—to grow into capable adults with broadened horizons and an authentically Catholic perspective of the world around them.

We welcome you to learn more about our Austrian Program! Read on for more information about how you can visit your son or daughter in Austria and how we prioritize safety while your student is studying abroad.

Tuition, Costs, and Fees

Since the Kartause is Franciscan University’s campus in Austria, tuition, room, and board for the Austrian Program are the same as main campus in Steubenville. The additional costs associated with the Austrian Program include:

  • International health insurance: ~$200 (more information below)
  • Austria fee: $1,000
  • Student Visa fee: $300
  • Travel to and from Austria (on your own)
  • Travel costs in Europe
    • Eurail Pass (varies)
    • Spending money ($3,000 – $5,000 recommended)

International Health Insurance

The Schengen Student Visa requires all students to have International Health Insurance. Franciscan University purchases the needed coverage from Cultural Insurance Services International and then bills you the ~$200 cost, which covers the entire time you will be abroad. It includes the following coverages:

  • No deductibles, no co-pays
  • Guaranteed direct payment to doctors and hospitals in Europe
  • Urgent and emergency care including repatriation
  • $100,000 insurance per accident or sickness with no lifetime maximum
  • Full coverage for all cases regarding a pandemic
Health and Medical

We have it all covered while students are in Austria, from prescriptions to medical services to emergencies. Prior to traveling abroad, we highly recommend that your student schedules a general physical and is up-to-date on his or her immunizations. To obtain a visa, your student must have international health insurance which is available through Franciscan University. More on medical facilities in Austria »

Safety Information

Emergencies Abroad

In the case of an emergency the University will post the most up-to-date information in this area of the website regarding the safety and whereabouts of its students and the situation at hand.

You can also review our Gaming Crisis Management Plan here.

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Visit Your Student in Austria

There are two main options to visit your student while he or she is studying at our Austria Program:

The Austrian Experience

Let us handle all of the planning and logistics! Every semester our Pilgrimages Office coordinates a trip to Austria which spends four days based at the Kartause in Gaming, and then travels to Salzburg and Vienna for the weekend before returning to the United States. This trip includes many events at the Kartause, including a formal dinner with faculty, a student talent show, day trips, and an opportunity to see how our students live while in Austria. Find out more from the Pilgrimages Office.

Parents Week
Visit Most Any Time

Family and friends are welcome to visit the Kartause completely on their own most any time during the semester, just not during the week of the Austrian Experience. Be sure to communicate with your student and with the staff at the Kartause to be sure your visit won’t be during any other major event, and be sure any travel plans won’t interfere with the mandatory attendance policies for students.

Travel Information