The document summarizes the early history of IES Abroad's Vienna program, which was founded in 1950 by Paul Koutny, Clarence Giese, and Alberta Giese. Paul Koutny, an Austrian, had the idea to offer American students the opportunity to study in post-WWII Vienna. Clarence and Alberta Giese were among the first group of students and later worked closely with Koutny to develop the program. They recruited students, developed orientation programs, and helped administer the early years of the program out of a boarding house in Vienna. The program has since expanded but continues to provide students unique access to Viennese culture, music, and life.

1. Celebrating 60 Years... VIENNA: THEN & NOW
THEN Michael Steinberg
Executive Vice President of
Academic Programs
When I was the Director of the IES Abroad Vienna program in
the fall of 1979, we enrolled 150 students, including a talented
group from Indiana University, into a special year-long music
CLARENCE AND ALBERTA GIESE AND PAUL KOUTNY: program. This program was the Center’s only offering at the time.
EARLY PIONEERS The Center was located at the Palais Kinsky. Within these
majestic surroundings, students attended classes and gathered Now: Students stand in line to enter the Wiener Staatsoper.
IES Abroad began with an inspired plan: offer 23 furniture and worked extra jobs to raise the money for lunch (always including the best schnitzel in Vienna and an
Above: Alberta and Clarence Giese walk
American college students the opportunity to study necessary so they could join the first group of otherwise unidentified wild game special). Most students lived
NOW Morten Solvik
in post-World War II Vienna, providing them with students who sailed to Europe aboard the Holland- in homestays.
together through Inner City Vienna, 1950. IES Abroad Vienna Center Director
insight into and understanding of Europe. The America Volendam.
Above right: Paul Koutny waves as he
testament to the success of this plan: the ensuing During this time, Vienna was a European cultural center. You Kaja Ciupinska
boards a bus to embark on a field trip.
60 years, during which nearly 80,000 students have Between Clarence, Alberta, and Paul a strong can imagine the magic of this environment for our students! We IES Abroad Vienna Health and Safety Coordinator
individually traveled across every continent to enroll and enduring partnership grew. During the first received free tickets for many concerts; standing room at the
GIESE SCHOLARSHIP in more than 90 programs in 32 countries. year of the program, Alberta assisted Paul with opera could be had for 15 Schillings (about a dollar). Students No longer housed within the Palais Kinsky, the Center is now located
administrative duties while also serving as the took waltzing lessons and four couples performed a cotillion to in the Palais Corbelli, an elegant 18th-century palace in the heart of
The Clarence and Alberta Giese
At the core of this inspiration were Paul Koutny and student counselor. Clarence worked with the open up the Center’s ball, held in Kinsky’s grand ballroom. the city. The Center now offers two music programs – one during the
Scholarship was spearheaded
Clarence and Alberta Giese. Paul, an Austrian and students while also attending the Akademie academic year and one during the summer. IES Abroad Vienna music
several years ago by the Vienna
class of 1967. The scholarship World War II prison-camp survivor, traveled in 1949 der bildenden Kuenste in Vienna, a master school For our students then, Vienna was a repository of history and students have the opportunity to participate in two ensembles (one
fund will provide financial aid to the United States to study as an exchange student for sculpture. great artists. Perhaps today, students discover a contemporary instrumental, one voice) and study at the Universität für Musik und
for need-based scholarships to at St. Thomas College in Minnesota and to travel Vienna that is more full of artistic innovation. But physically, darstellende Kunst.
students attending IES Abroad throughout the United States. A World War II veteran, When the Gieses returned to the United States then as now, the historic heart of Vienna engaged and entranced
Vienna, and as the fund grows our students. Today, IES Abroad Vienna classes are taught in both German and
Clarence had just graduated from the School of the in 1951, they continued working with Paul and
or needs change, for need-
Art Institute in Chicago. influencing the development of IES Abroad. They English, attracting students with both musical and academic interests,
based scholarships at other
developed a student recruitment plan and Clarence ranging from music performance and business, to psychology and
centers. This year, the class of
’67 reached out to all Vienna In 1950, Paul traveled to Chicago to meet with developed the first orientation program. In Vienna, art history. A third program, European Society & Culture, examines
alumni to raise money needed students from area schools to discuss the idea Paul worked to establish an official affiliation with cultural and political questions related to the European identity.
to endow the scholarship. of offering a year of study abroad to American the University of Vienna, an agreement which was
More information about the college students. Among this group were Clarence signed in 1957. This agreement enabled University The IES Abroad Vienna program continues to offer students unique
scholarship will be announced at opportunities to interact with the city and its residents. Students now
and Alberta. faculty to join the IES Abroad teaching staff, gaining
the 60th Anniversary Celebration
further credibility and stature for the IES Abroad have three options for their housing: private apartments, homestays,
on October 16th, 2010.
After meeting with students, Paul returned home program. and residence halls. The Center now also offers a Language Buddy
If you would like to support to Vienna and rented a boarding house to provide Program that pairs up students with native German speakers, allowing
the Clarence and Alberta Giese classroom space, study rooms, and a dining facility For an April 1953 article in Today, Paul said, “The them to practice their new language while making new friends.
Scholarship, you can do so by
for the students. main idea of the Institute is to create a better
sending your gift to IES Abroad,
understanding between the two continents.” Sixty While much has changed in the history of the IES Abroad Vienna
ATTN: Clarence and Alberta
Clarence and Alberta remained in Chicago to meet years and thousands of students later, there can be program, much has remained the same. Our students continue to fall in
Giese Scholarship Fund, 33 N.
LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602. and organize the students who would attend the no doubt that the early vision of these three pioneers love with the city. We look forward to encouraging future love affairs!
inaugural Vienna program session. They sold their was more than fulfilled! Then: Students meet with Miss Austria 1950.
Fall 2010 www.IESabroad.org  5