Country Overview
Austria is associated with beer, waltzes, and weiner schnitzel, but this country of 7.9 million has far more to offer.

Austria is a landlocked country bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Switzerland. Its grand capital city, Vienna, has 1.5 million residents and continues to attract tourists just as it used to attract artists and composers from all over Europe.

The Alps cover the western and southern regions of Austria. Skiing is a favorite pastime for many who are happy that the ski season lasts from December to April. Flower lovers adore the meadows when they bloom in the spring, filling the air with the scent of edelweiss, poppies, and orchids. Almost half of Austria is forested. Lakes provide the opportunity for water-skiing, sailing, and windsurfing.

The climate is moderate. The temperature can vary dramatically by altitude.

97% of Austrians are of Germanic origin. The rest are of Slovene, Croat, and Turkish extraction. The official language is German, but Turkish, Slovene, Hungarian, and Croatian are also spoken by some. English study is required in the schools and is spoken by many.

Austria is a republic. Its parliament consists of 183 representatives from several political parties. The head of the government is the president, who is the ceremonial head of state and has limited political power. The president is elected every six years. The chancellor heads parliament. Parliamentary elections are held every six years.

The United States and Austria enjoy a good relationship both politically and economically.

The official Austrian currency is the Euro, which officially replaced the Schilling on January 1, 2002. The main industries are machinery, textiles, iron, steel, and timber.

Historically, Austria has made huge contributions to the arts. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Austria was the musical center where all the great European composers spent time. This musical tradition remains strong today. Austria is famous for the Vienna Boy's Choir, Vienna Philharmonic, the Staatsoper (State Opera), Mozart and Strauss.

Other famous Austrians include Sigmund Freud, painter Gustav Klimt, film director Fritz Lang, actor/Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 80's popstar Falco.

Austrian cuisine is hearty and rich. Common foods include weiner schnitzel (fried cutlet covered with a coating of egg and breadcrumbs), schweinsbraten, tafelspitz, and marillenknodel. Breakfast usually consists of coffee/tea/milk/hot chocolate and some bread or a roll with butter and jam or honey. Lunch usually includes soup, a meat dish, salad or cooked vegetables, and (possibly) dessert.

Dinner is beginning to replace lunch as the main meal of the day. Because both parents work in many households, dinner often consists of only one dish.

Sundays are the day for three full meals.

Austrian desserts are deservedly renowned. Excellent pastries and cakes sit enticingly in bakery windows. If you have ever had strudel, you'll understand.

School
The Austrian school system is quite rigorous. Students are required to attend for nine years, until the age of fifteen. This education is free.

Classes typically have twenty to thirty students. Students spend about two hours per day on homework.

University education is popular. About 70-80 of students go on to university after completing high school. Many students from other countries attend Austrian universities.

The literacy rate is 98%.

Teenagers
Like American teenagers, Austrian teenagers enjoy playing sports, hanging out with friends, going to the movies, going shopping, and dancing at discos (dance clubs).

Favorite sports include snowboarding, skiing, in-line skating, and mountain biking.

Austrian teens dress in comfortable, casual clothing, like jeans, T-shirts, and sweaters.

Teenagers usually start dating around the age of fourteen. Sex and birth control are often discussed openly.

Curfew on weeknights is generally 10 p.m. On weekends, teens are often allowed to stay out until 12 or 1 a.m. The legal drinking age is 16, and it is customary (especially in the countryside) for youth to drink alcohol.

It is very common for Austrian teens to smoke.

Teenagers can take the driving test when they turn 18.

Community
Austrians spend an average of 2-3 hours per day watching TV. American TV shows are very popular and the source of many misconceptions of the United States.

Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Hours are shorter on Saturdays, and stores are usually closed on Sundays. These hours are beginning to extend.

Austrians are fans of walking. Whereas many Americans go for rides in the car to see scenery, Austrians choose to walk through the beautiful scenery.

88% of Austrians are Roman Catholic. The second largest denomination is Protestant (6%). Younger people are generally less religious than older people. Church attendance is on the decline.

Family
Families tend to be small, with one or two children. It is common for both parents to work. The percentage of mothers working outside the home is one of the highest in the industrialized world.

Because your student's parents will most likely both work, your student will be accustomed to helping out around the house. He or she may even be a culinary expert. Be sure to explain your expectations as to what types of chores your student is responsible for.

Children move out of their parents' homes around the age of twenty.
Customs When greeting each other, Austrians usually shake hands and say, "Gruss Gott" or "Guten Tag." Friends and relatives hug and say, "Hallo," "Hi," or "Servus."

Austrians are not Germans and consider it an insult to be mistaken for such. The two cultures have distinct customs, attitudes, and values. Austrians are famous for their Gemutlichkeit, or relaxed and happy approach to life.
Austrians love to learn and to engage in discussions on current affairs. Austrians of all social classes recognize the importance of being cultured and informed.

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