Vienna Social Housing Field Study FAQ
General Program Information
The program is an intensive 6 day and 6 night program. The program begins Sunday evening, and the majority of the curriculum activities are held during the 5 weekdays between your arrival and departure dates.
The field study tuition fee is $7,800, which includes tuition, ground transportation in Vienna, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and lunch, as well as 3 group dinners.
We offer three payment methods: credit cards, checks, and ACH transfers. Please note credit card payments will include a 3% surcharge at the time of payment. A $1,000 deposit is required to hold a spot in the program, with the remaining balance due no later than 30 days prior to the field study.
Each year, GPLA endeavors to raise scholarship funds for participants who need financial support to attend the program. We do not guarantee funding will be available and encourage those interested in attending to seek support from other sources if available.
The scholarship application process engages a holistic review process for equitable selection. The application includes a questionnaire, short answer statements, and an essay that help to identify how this experiential education aligns with your work on housing in California. We prioritize funding for individuals actively working in housing and related fields, with a particular focus on those working within disadvantaged communities and those with lived experience.
For those traveling from the West Coast, there is a 9-hour time difference, which means you will arrive the day following your departure.
For your departure, you have the option to leave in the afternoon of the final day or the morning after, as your hotel accommodation is reserved for a total of 6 nights.
Interested participants can review the different cohort dates, associated deadlines, and access the registration form all in one place. Click here to learn more.
There are no prerequisites to participate in the field study beyond being an individual who can utilize the knowledge acquired during the program to inform their work once they return home.
The curriculum is geared towards housing professionals and policymakers in housing and housing-related sectors.
The purpose of the field study is to support practitioners interested in learning about the world’s best practices in social housing. It is especially relevant to those interested in creating permanently affordable mixed-income housing communities aligned with transit, open space, and other community-serving amenities.
Yes, once we receive a deposit, you will receive an invitation to an online orientation class. In this session, you will learn about the program’s educational goals, review the itinerary, gain foundational knowledge about Vienna’s social housing model, and be provided with packing and travel recommendations.
In addition, you will receive a comprehensive briefing book that will provide you with in-depth information about the field study and the Vienna Social Housing Model. This will help you become well acquainted with the discussion subjects and planned site visits before the field study.
Each delegation/cohort is comprised of up to 45 delegates.
Our cancellation and refund policy are available upon request. Please contact our enrollment team for detailed information.
Travel, Accommodation, and Amenities
During the Vienna Social Housing Field Study, we typically stay at a central hotel that is able to accommodate participants in a private room with one or two beds.
Yes, if you intend to maintain your current room when extending your stay, kindly inform us during the registration process, and we will coordinate directly with the hotel to accommodate your request. The cost of any additional hotel nights will be borne by the participant.
For citizens of the United States, a visa is not required to visit Vienna. U.S. citizens can find passport and entry requirements here.
Be sure to check your passport before your departure date to ensure it will be valid for at least 60 days AFTER the date you plan to return to the U.S.
Yes, you can provide this information during the registration process.
All curriculum content, lectures, and materials will be provided in English.
In central areas of Vienna, English is commonly spoken, and German-to-English interpreters would not be needed.
While specific attire recommendations will be covered during the Orientation call, you should pack comfortable clothing suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities. Please review the estimated weather conditions before arriving as Vienna has weather conditions that can vary depending on the season.
Yes, many participants prefer to bring their laptops or tablets for note-taking purposes. Charging outlets are accessible within the hotel, although we recommend bringing an electrical adapter to ensure compatibility with your chargers.
Yes, there is WiFi access at the hotel, and there is city-sponsored public WiFi in many locations throughout the City of Vienna.
There are numerous ATMs available throughout the city where you can withdraw cash in the local currency, which is the Euro (€).
Additionally, you can find currency exchange services at various banks, exchange bureaus, and at the Vienna International Airport. Many businesses, including hotels and restaurants, also accept major credit cards.
It’s advisable to inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues while using your credit or debit cards while in Vienna.
Yes, we have an emergency plan outlined in the field study materials, which will be provided to you after the Orientation.
Yes, you’ll have three open evenings and one unscheduled half-day to explore Vienna on your own. Vienna is known for its many concert venues and has a wide array of cultural experiences and culinary options. We encourage you to go out and explore this beautiful city.
Meals and cultural activities during these free evenings are not included in the program fee and will be the delegate’s responsibility.
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