University of New Orleans students and administrators returned to Innsbruck, Austria this summer as the University’s flagship study abroad program resumed in 2022. All study abroad programs were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the pandemic delayed the program’s official 45th year celebration in 2020, the University’s largest and oldest study abroad program marked that milestone this year.

The UNO-Innsbruck International Summer School held its 45th summer session from July 2-August 12 with 213 students from more than 15 different universities. The students were enrolled in 36 classes representing 16 disciplines taught by 20 faculty members from the U.S. and Austria.  

“Classes were augmented by numerous guest lectures and field trips as well as extracurricular afternoon activities every week,” said Alea Cot, assistant provost for international education. “Activities offered were as diverse as visits to Swarovski headquarters for business students and local museums for anthropology students, to summer tobogganing, castle visits and mountain hikes.”

A highlight of the summer was a lecture given by Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Austria. Kennedy was born in Crowley, Louisiana.

“We were honored to welcome her and introduce her to the rich tapestry of student and faculty activities that are a hallmark of the 45 years of partnership between UNO and the University of Innsbruck,” Cot said.
 
“We learned that Ambassador Kennedy is a strong advocate for the transatlantic relationship between Austria and the U.S. and considers international exchange and student mobility as vital to the continuing bonds between the two countries.”