Wake Forest University Vienna: Flow House

Vienna is the city that gave waltz to the world. Mozart, Haydn, Strauss, Schubert, Brahms, and Beethoven are just a few of the many composers who lived and worked in Vienna. In addition to its rich musical history, Vienna is a culturally diverse and vibrant city. It is home to the Vienna Boys' Choir, the famous Lipizzaner stallions, and countless coffee houses (an integral part of Viennese life). Located in the heart of Europe, students may easily travel east to the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary and west to France, Italy, Spain, England, and Switzerland.

In 1998, Wake Forest purchased a three-story villa in Vienna. The acquisition was made possible through the generous donation of Vic and Roddy Flow of Winston-Salem and the House was named in their honor. Built in 1898, the house was formerly the office of the U.S. Consulate.

Flow House is situated in a northwest section of Vienna, one block from the Turkenschanz Park. Located in the prestigious 19th district, the area is well-known for its embassies, diplomatic residences, and distinguished private homes.

Each fall and spring semester, a group of Wake Forest students and a Resident Professor live and study together at Flow House.

Field trips around the city, attendance at musical performances, museum visits, and cultural events are an integral part of the academic program and are highlights for many students. Longer excursions to other cities are also part of each semester's schedule of events. Past groups have visited Salzburg, Prague, Budapest, Dresden, Leipzig, and Weimar. All students take at least three courses taught in English plus a German language course. Classes are held at Flow House. Local courses are taught by Austrian professors. Students enroll in an appropriate level German language course (beginning-advanced) and elective courses from the following subjects: Art History, Economics, Music, and History. In addition, the Wake Forest Resident Professor teaches two courses from his/her discipline. Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday, leaving a three-day weekend to explore Vienna or travel to other destinations.

It is the student’s responsibility to speak to their major and minor advisor(s) regarding their abroad coursework and how (or if) it will count towards their degree plan.

The following German levels are taught at the Flow House:

• GER 110 (4h)
• GER 150 (4h)
• GER 214 (3h)

Spring 2023 with Gary Miller, Health & Exercise Science 

HES 350 Humans Physiology (3h)
A lecture course which presents the basic principles and concepts of the function of selected systems of the human body, with emphasis on the muscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and nervous systems.

HES 351 Nutrition (3h)
Lecture course which presents the principles of healthy nutrition including an understanding of nutrients and their metabolism as well as the impact of nutrition on weight management and chronic diseases. 

HES 384 Special Topics: Medical Terminology (3h)  

Other courses offered will include two electives taught by local professors.
HST 120 Formation of Europe: Habsburg Empire and its Successor States (3h) (D or HST major/minor credit)
The development of Central and East-Central Europe as a multiethnic unity under the Habsburgs, 1526-1918, and its dissolution into successor states and subsequent interactions, 1918-1989. 

MSC 241 Music in Vienna (3h) (D)
Study of music and musical institutions of Vienna and Central Europe 

HMN 190 Contemporary Viennese Experience (1.5h) (p/f)
Social, cultural, and environmental factors of life in contemporary Vienna.  Includes site visits, guest lectures, and interviews with Viennese.

Fall 2023 with Dr. Rebecca Thomas, German and Dr. Chuck Thomas, History

HST 120 Formation of Europe: Habsburg Empire and its Successor States (3h) (D) (Will be cross-listed for HST major/minor credit) taught by Dr. Chuck Thomas
The development of Central and East-Central Europe as a multiethnic unity under the Habsburgs, 1526-1918, and its dissolution into successor states and subsequent interactions, 1918-1989. 

GES 341 Austrian Literature in Translation (3h) (D)
Examines the literature of Austria from the decline of the Habsburg Empire to the present day. Intended for current and/or prospective German major or minors. 

Other courses offered will include two electives taught by local professors.
MSC 241 Music in Vienna (3h) (D)
Study of music and musical institutions of Vienna and Central Europe 

ECN 271 International Economics (3h) (D)

HMN 190 Contemporary Viennese Experience (1.5h) (p/f)
Social, cultural, and environmental factors of life in contemporary Vienna.  Includes site visits, guest lectures, and interviews with Viennese.

Spring 2024 with Dr. Christian Waugh, Psychology  
PSY 280 Directed Study: Social Psychology (3h)

PSY 317 Special Topics in Experimental Psychology: Stress and Coping (3h) (D)

Other courses offered will include two electives taught by local professors.
HST 120 Formation of Europe: Habsburg Empire and its Successor States (3h) (D or HST major/minor credit)
The development of Central and East-Central Europe as a multiethnic unity under the Habsburgs, 1526-1918, and its dissolution into successor states and subsequent interactions, 1918-1989. 

MSC 241 Music in Vienna (3h) (D)
Study of music and musical institutions of Vienna and Central Europe 

HMN 190 Contemporary Viennese Experience (1.5h) (p/f)
Social, cultural, and environmental factors of life in contemporary Vienna.  Includes site visits, guest lectures, and interviews with Viennese.

Fall 2024 with Dr. Jarrod Whitaker, Religion
REL 101: Intro to Religion (D)

REL 242: Sex, Death, and Salvation (CD, D)

Other courses offered will include two electives taught by local professors.
HST 120 Formation of Europe: Habsburg Empire and its Successor States (3h) (D or HST major/minor credit)
The development of Central and East-Central Europe as a multiethnic unity under the Habsburgs, 1526-1918, and its dissolution into successor states and subsequent interactions, 1918-1989. 

MSC 241 Music in Vienna (3h) (D)
Study of music and musical institutions of Vienna and Central Europe 

HMN 190 Contemporary Viennese Experience (1.5h) (p/f)
Social, cultural, and environmental factors of life in contemporary Vienna.  Includes site visits, guest lectures, and interviews with Viennese.

Spring 2025 with Dr. Christa Colyer, Chemistry

CHM 280: College Chemistry II (3h)
Counts towards Chemistry major/minor or Chemistry elective credit. Advanced study of fundamental chemical principles. Pre-requisite of CHM 111 required. This course is commonly taken by pre-health students at Wake in the spring of their sophomore or junior year.

CHM 351: Special Topics
More information TBD

Other courses offered will include two electives taught by local professors.
HST 120 Formation of Europe: Habsburg Empire and its Successor States (3h) (D or HST major/minor credit)
The development of Central and East-Central Europe as a multiethnic unity under the Habsburgs, 1526-1918, and its dissolution into successor states and subsequent interactions, 1918-1989. 

MSC 241 Music in Vienna (3h) (D)
Study of music and musical institutions of Vienna and Central Europe 

HMN 190 Contemporary Viennese Experience (1.5h) (p/f)
Social, cultural, and environmental factors of life in contemporary Vienna.  Includes site visits, guest lectures, and interviews with Viennese.

Resident Professors:

Spring 2023: Dr. Gary Miller, Health & Exercise Science, millergd@wfu.edu 
Fall 2023: Dr. Rebecca Thomas, German and Russian, thomasrs@wfu.edu and Dr. Chuck Thomas, History, thomascs@wfu.edu
Spring 2024: Dr. Christian Waugh, Psychology, waughce@wfu.edu
Fall 2024: Jarrod Whitaker, Religion, whitakjl@wfu.edu
Spring 2025: Christa Colyer, Chemistry, colyercl@wfu.edu

Flow House can accommodate sixteen students. There are five student bedrooms on the top floor. A classroom, spacious kitchen, library with state-of-the-art technology, dining room, and living room are located on the middle floor. The house is wired for Internet access and students should bring their laptop computers. A three-bedroom faculty apartment is on the first floor. The house contains separate laundry facilities for faculty and students.

NOTE: All students participating in the WFU/Vienna: Flow House program are required to live in program-provided housing. Housing accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.

The students have opportunities to go on excursions with the Resident Professors and the local professors. Generally students are taken on at least one weekend excursion outside of Austria. Some past excursions have been to Prague, Krakow, and Budapest. These excursions offer students the opportunity to see new locations and learn about their connections to Austria. The trip includes guided tours through the city and free time for the students to explore. The cost of the trip is included in the program cost and the trip is usually mandatory.

In addition excursions have also been arranged so students can attend local festivals. A past excursion included attending Almabtrieb, an annual September festival in Austria. It takes place at the Marienseerschwaig near the Alpine village of Moenichkirchen. The locals have a party marked by the driving of the cows and horses from the higher elevation meadows down to the valley before winter sets in. Everyone dresses up, including the cows, and celebrates together.

The faculty director is responsible for the selection of each group based on the following criteria:

• Academic suitability
• Social and emotional maturity
• Classification
• Seriousness of the student in pursuing the academic and cultural aims of the program
• Applicability of the program to the student's interests and studies

Students who have completed one year of college German (111 and 112 or 113) are given preference for admission, but students without German are also encouraged to apply and have participated successfully in past semester programs.  Majors in all disciplines are eligible.

Students pay current Wake Forest tuition and housing. Students are responsible for all meals, round-trip airfare, additional travel, books, visa fees, and other personal expenses.

Students are eligible for Flow House specific scholarships and in addition may apply for scholarships through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.  Students should also contact the German Department for information on their scholarship opportunities.

Dr. Rebecca Thomas, Ph.D
Director of Flow House
Professor of German
Phone: (336) 758 4408
E-mail: thomasrs@wfu.edu

Christina Canon
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
Reynolda Hall, Room 116
E-mail: canonc@wfu.edu

Flow House Global Ambassadors
- Tahjanee Givens
givetv20@wfu.edu
- Asheton Ayotte
ayotag20@wfu.edu
- Zach Bokhari
bokhz20@wfu.edu

House address
Flow House
Gustav Tschermak-Gasse 20
1190 Vienna, Austria
Phone: 011-431-367-0740
Fax: 011-431-367-1442

Fall and spring semesters

The program is set up so students have most Fridays off for exploring Vienna and surrounding cities. The program includes a 10-day break generally halfway through the semester. It is important to note that students cannot travel for the first three weeks of the program due to orientation.