Since 1982, some 40 students from the University of Innsbruck and other Austrian universities have come to The University of New Orleans for the month of February to learn about American government, history, and society through specially designed classes. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the program, which is one of cornerstones of the deacde-old transtlantic model partnership between the University of Innsbruck and the University of New Orleans. The program traditionally is kicked off with a four-day visit to Washington, D.C., followed by instruction in New Orleans. 

On February 3, 2013, while en route to New Orleans, the group visited the Austrian Embassy again for a conversation with Ambassador Hans Peter Manz before heading South.