Until you have been inside an Austrian coffee house it’s hard to imagine just how charming they are, and just how quickly you'll devour an apple strudel and order another. But Austria has more to offer than just strudel and schnitzel.

By understanding more about our Austrian exchange students’ lives back home, it will help you gain insight into their culture and background and prepare you for a successful hosting experience. Let’s start by learning about what’s typical in Austrian communication, home life, education and food, as described by our program participants.

Communication style

Austrian communication is direct, and many students have a difficult time understanding hints or passive requests. They can be very direct, but do not intend to be mean. Using swear words casually in Austria is common. Austrian humor may be sarcastic. They may be reserved initially and are not accustomed to small talk.

Tip From EF: Make sure you have open and honest conversations about expectations in the home. Discuss appropriate language and expectations around using please and thank you. Share expectations clearly and directly with your student to ensure that they are understood. To help your student become open to small talk, ask your student about their culture and family traditions.

Food habits

While regional dishes vary, potatoes, noodles, dumplings, sauces, vegetables and pastries are traditional in Austria. Healthier diets with vegetables and organic food are becoming popular. Austrians buy groceries often and prefer fresh foods for cooking. Pork, beef and chicken are popular in Austria. Due to their proximity to Italy, Austrians also love Italian food. The legal drinking age for beer and wine in Austria is 16, though they must wait until 18 to drink spirits.

Tip From EF: Invite your student to go to the grocery store with you! While shopping, encourage your student to share what they prefer to eat and discuss what new foods they are willing to try. Schedule a few meals together as a family each week to help the student feel welcomed and at home.

Home life

Austrian teenagers tend to be more independent than their American counterparts. Austrian teens typically do not have curfew or need to check-in regularly with parents. In many Austrian families both parents work, therefore it is common for children to go to and from school by themselves starting at the age of six. Austrian students are not used to asking for rides as most ride their bike or take public transportation. Most Austrians enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot of time being active and participating in sports. Day trips with the family are quite common in Austria. Many students spend their weekends with family on day trips to nearby parks, nature reserves or museums

Tip From EF: Sit down with your student at the beginning of the year and go over all rules, schedules and expectations; write them down. Be sure to include simple things such as how to use the washer and dryer, how to get around town, the importance of checking in and their curfew. Be sure to include conversations on travel expectations and opportunities.