I’d say Austria. The location alone is why. Sweden is somewhat isolated. Holland is way northwest. Austria is at the crossroads of Europe. Right between the west and the east. One weekend go to Italy, the next in Budapest..or whatever. I suppose you could technically do that from somewhere further..but it would be a frickin chore. You could get on a train to Munich and experience some Oktoberfest and be back home by night time if you’re like in Salzburg. Plus Austria is just flat out beautiful..and also very flavorful say if you’re in Vienna.

The Swedish girls are pretty awesome though.

It would help if you were to tell us a little about yourself, your likes and dislikes, what your program of study is, what universities you are considering and in which specific cities you’re thinking of studying.

Austria. Sweden and Holland don’t even come close. Austria will be an experience of a lifetime.

Pranav

My wife did a study abroad in Goteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden and really enjoyed it. It is a bit far from the rest of Europe if you want to try to get away and do weekend trips, although there is plenty of interesting stuff to see.

I live in the Netherlands for a year when I was younger, so it sorta holds a special place in my heart. I’ve only visited Austria, and it was very nice.

I agree that a lot of it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a place with plenty of easy weekend trips, Austria or Holland would be my vote. Austria is a little more centrally located if you want to see southern Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, etc, but if you want to do northern France, Belgium, western Germany, etc, then the Netherlands is your place. I didn’t put England down since with all the budget airlines, it pretty easy to get there from most anywhere. When it comes to a long 2/3 week trip, it really won’t matter too much where you start.

In terms of language, at the university, most everybody will speak engligh. As for most people in the street, I would say the most will speak Engligh in the Netherlands, with Sweden second and Austria third. If you are interested in learning the native language, flip the order as you will be forced to speak it more if you can’t communicate in English.

My first choice would be Austria, followed by the Netherlands.

Okay a little about myself:
I am a female and am going to be 17 years old when I go there. I want to go to the place with the best scenery and maybe even the best nightlife..even though I am going to be there studying I want to be able to go out, too. Austria is what I was leaning towards too but I just wanted some other opinion because obviously I have never experienced anywhere but the United States. Thanks to everyone who has posted on this topic, I really appreciate it.

(By the way I am studying abroad for high school)

While I would also recommend Austria based on location, I’m not sure that it has the best nightlife of the three.

Is Salzburg, Austria, a good place to stay at? If I go to Austria, I would either like to stay somewhere near Salzburg, Vienna, or Innsbruck. If I stayed in Netherlands, I would stay near Amsterdam or Rotterdam. The only place I ever hear about in Sweden is Stockholm. Have any of you been to any of these cities? If so, what did you think of it?

Yes, I love Salzburg. Vienna is better for night life…but Salzburg is wonderful. Its much more beautiful. You are close to the mountains for all sorts of adventures( the ice caves, the dam,salt mines, etc)..it is the home of Mozart (and his chocolate balls)..the downtown is really homey, clean, and cheerful. Like Vienna there are loads of classical concerts being held nightly. Many would probably choose Vienna first…but IMO Salzburg is a place that I could more easily adopt as a home..I"d feel a part of it quicker..and I enjoy the beauty tremendously. Vienna doesnt have that natural beauty and its a sketchier city..less homey to me. Innsbruck is beautiful…but its extremely low key..maybe too much so.

Salzburg(and even Innsbruck) to me represents one of the last pure places..almost as if its been preserved in a bubble protecting it from the filth of the world…I’d love a chance to experience life there before it too becomes spoiled.