HISTORY OF THE AUSTRIAN SUMMER SCHOLARS
PROGRAM
The Austrian Summer Scholars Program at Miami
University began in 1974 as an experimental exchange
between students from the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien
and Miami University.
During the mid 1970s until 1990, the exchange allowed
Austrian students to visit Miami University, live in
the residence halls, and attend summer session classes
as well as participating in special programs and trips
designed to familiarize them with life in America.
Beginning in 1986, a new exchange agreement between
Miami University and the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien
was designed to expand international opportunities for
students and staff from both institutions. The purpose
of the program, which began in the 1989-90 academic
year, was to intensify the international outlook at
both institutions. The agreement made use of the many
personal and cultural contacts already established
through Miami's Austrian Summer Scholars Program. Miami
Students who wished to study in Austria were eligible
for scholarships ranging from $500-$1000, funded by
Austrian exchange students in gratitude to Miami for
serving as host of the summer program. Under the
agreement, each university exchanged up to two
full-time students for an academic year on a
one-for-one basis.
From 1994-1995, as a result of several factors
influencing both universities, along with the decline
of students interested in studying in Vienna and Oxford
through the exchange, the year-long program was
dissolved and the exchange evolved back into the
focused intensive summer program lasting six weeks,
usually from late June to early August.
From 1996 to the present, Miami University continues to
welcome the Austrian Summer Scholars to its campus, its
classes, and the Oxford community.