The IUHPFL German program began in 1962 in Trier, Germany. Two years later, Krefeld became the site for German students and remained so for 50 years. In 2015, our German program was moved to Graz, Austria, where IU Overseas Study has had a strong presence for over 40 years. Graz continues to be a popular and welcoming host city for our German learners. 

See our Program Site Blogs to learn more about what happens during programs.

Austria

Graz

Graz offers a welcoming, scenic environment for IUHPFL participants with a wonderful network of host families.  Although IU Overseas Study has a program in Graz, IUHPFL participants will not share host families or programming with university students.

Fun facts:

• Although there are various German dialects spoken in Austria, standard German (Hochdeutsch) is commonly spoken in Graz.
• It’s been designated as one of the best preserved historical sites in Europe.
• It was voted the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2003.
• In 2008, it was named City of Culinary Delights.
• It’s located on the beautiful Mur River in a lush and forested region of Austria.
• It sits 120 miles southwest of Vienna, which is an excursion destination for participants of this program.