For two weeks before the official start of the program year on 1 October, incoming US program participants have an opportunity to attend a program-specific orientation. In the first week, US students and scholars are invited to a three-day orientation organized by Fulbright Austria. In the second week, US teaching assistants are invited to a four-day orientation organized by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education. And on the Friday between the two orientations, the entire community is invited  to a homecoming meet & greet to welcome the US students, scholars, and teaching assistants to Austria and to welcome home the returning Austrian program participants.

Of course, the orientations aren’t just about providing our program participants with information; program participants also have ample time to network, and activities are organized to lighten the mood. The students and scholars are treated to a mini-golf mixer and a special reception hosted at the residence of the US ambassador to Austria. The teaching assistants get to dip their toes into traditional Austrian dances, take a tour of St. Pölten, the capital of Lower Austria, attend a reception hosted in their honor by the Lower Austrian government, and go on a hike in the Austrian Alps.

We hope you enjoy the video about the orientation weeks and events as well as the photo albums from the mini-golf mixer, the reception at the US ambassador’s residence, and the homecoming meet & greet.