Fall: 20 weeks (mid September to early February)
Spring: 16 weeks (mid February to late June)

Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program is open to students in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources who would like to study agricultural and environmental subjects for a full semester at a prestigious European university – the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). 

All available courses are taught in English, so knowledge of the German language is not required.  However, students who have some level of German speaking ability will have a great opportunity to improve their language proficiency by daily contact with their Austrian hosts.  Every student will be paired with a native BOKU student for the semester.

What can I study?

The University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna offers courses in the following areas:

• Agricultural and Food Economics
• Agro Biology
• Animal Sciences
• Applied Plant Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Engineering
• Equine Science
• Food Science and Food Technology
• Forest Science
• Land Management and Civil Engineering
• Landscape Architecture Planning
• Management of Environment and Bio Resources
• Mountain Forestry
• Mountain Risk Engineering
• Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering
• Organic Farming
• Viniculture
• Water management
• Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management
• Wood and Fibre Technology and Management

More information on specific classes can be found at their web site.  

All coursework will be pre-approved by individual departments for transfer of credit upon the student’s return from Austria.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU ANR majors only.

All students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must also submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program and meet with Rhonda Crackel prior to applying.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will live in university approved apartments with other BOKU students from many countries throughout the world.  The university has a Center for International Relations which will assist students with housing and course enrollment.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Rhonda Crackel
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
121 Agriculture Hall
Phone (517) 353-8878

Perry Ng
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
135 GM Trout Building
Phone: (517) 355-8474

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• transportation to Austria
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visit
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees, a total for these costs is approximately $5,093 (FS08) per semester.

A program fee of $126 (FS08) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance

Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for fall semester and October 15th for spring semester.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources also offers its students special study abroad scholarships.  Check with Rhonda Crackel at for further details

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for fall programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.