Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

After being accepted by Texas A&M University, I would strongly recommend starting the visa process as early as possible and preparing all required documents for the partner university. Texas A&M provides excellent support throughout the process. They have a dedicated website that explains step by step which documents are needed and when they have to be submitted, which makes the preparation much easier. The visa process itself was relatively straightforward. After submitting my application, it took about one week until everything was processed, followed by an interview appointment one to two weeks later. After the interview, I received my visa roughly one week afterwards. The interview at the U.S. Consulate only lasted around five minutes, so there is no need to worry too much. It is still worth preparing for some basic questions about your studies and your exchange semester. Besides arranging accommodation, one of the first things I would recommend after arriving is opening a local bank account and getting a debit card. Simply schedule an appointment with a bank, bring the required documents, and the process is usually very quick. In my case, I got an appointment within two days. Having a local bank account makes payments for university-related expenses, such as health insurance, much more convenient. For mobile data, I can highly recommend Mint Mobile. I paid around $90 for six months of unlimited data, which was by far the best value I found. I would also recommend flying into Houston rather than other airports. There is a shuttle service from Houston directly to College Station for around $50, and they will even drop you off right in front of your accommodation. This made my arrival very convenient and stress-free. Finally, I would advise booking your flight as early as possible, as prices tend to increase significantly closer to the departure date. Overall, the preparation process was manageable and well supported by Texas A&M.

2. Accommodation

Texas A&M offers a huge variety of housing options. In general, I would recommend starting your housing search as early as possible, as the best options tend to fill up quickly. You can either rent through apartment complexes such as Lark or Rev, which are usually more expensive but offer modern facilities and a great student experience, or look for private housing through Facebook groups. Many students sublease rooms in shared houses or apartments, and I have heard very positive feedback from friends who chose this option. I personally lived on campus. One thing to keep in mind is that on-campus housing often means sharing a room with a roommate. In many cases, these roommates are freshmen or students in their first or second semester, so they are also new to university life. Depending on your preferences, this can be either an advantage or a disadvantage. Since regular housing options were no longer available when I applied, I ended up living with the Corps of Cadets. Overall, it was a good experience and I met many fun and interesting people. However, if you value a quiet living environment, I would probably not recommend it, as there can be a lot of activity and noise in the hallways. When choosing where to live, I would strongly recommend looking for housing close to campus, ideally near Northgate or the Gardens Apartments. Northgate is the main student area with restaurants, bars, and many social activities. I would not particularly recommend living near West Campus. While the Business School is located there, there is not much else nearby compared to the areas around central campus and Northgate. Food is also very convenient on campus. The dining halls operate on an all-you-can-eat system, and you can simply pay by card. At the time of my exchange, a meal cost around $13. While this may seem expensive at first, it is a practical option if you do not want to cook every day. Overall, my biggest recommendation is to secure housing as early as possible and, if possible, choose a location close to campus. Living near the university and Northgate makes everyday life much easier, allows you to take advantage of the campus facilities, and helps you get the full student experience during your exchange semester.

3. Academic life at host university

The university offers a huge variety of courses, student clubs, and extracurricular activities. No matter whether you are interested in sports, business, volunteering, or social events, there are countless opportunities to get involved and meet new people. The campus itself is enormous and provides excellent facilities for both studying and student life. If possible, I would highly recommend coming during the Fall semester. One of the biggest reasons is football season. College football is a huge part of the culture at Texas A&M, and attending games at Kyle Field with more than 100,000 fans is an experience that is difficult to describe. It is one of the things that makes Texas A&M so unique and is definitely something every exchange student should experience. The courses themselves were very well organized and engaging. Most classes included a mix of presentations, quizzes, assignments, projects, participation, and exams throughout the semester. Because grades are spread across many different components, the academic pressure is much more balanced than at many European universities where everything depends on a final exam. In general, I found the courses challenging enough to be interesting but not overly difficult. One thing I would strongly recommend is researching your courses before registration. Looking at professor ratings and average class grades can help you find courses that match your interests and expectations. Texas A&M can make course registration seem very strict before the semester starts, but in reality there is an add/drop period during the first week of classes where you can still make changes quite easily. I personally changed most of my schedule during this period and had no issues at all. Another major difference compared to Vienna was the relationship between professors and students. In most of my classes, I developed a very good and close relationship with the professors. They were approachable, supportive, and genuinely interested in their students' success. At times, interactions felt more like conversations with mentors than with professors. At the same time, you do not have to be the most outgoing or interactive person in class to succeed. Even for more reserved or shy students, the learning environment is welcoming and comfortable. Overall, the academic experience at Texas A&M exceeded my expectations. The combination of excellent professors, practical courses, strong student life, and the unique Aggie culture made it one of the most rewarding parts of my exchange semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Transportation around Texas A&M is also very convenient, even without a car. There are many bus routes operating both on and around campus, which makes it easy to get to classes, housing, and other parts of College Station. Another option that I can highly recommend is renting a bicycle. Several exchange students I knew did this, and it worked very well. A semester-long bike rental costs around $70 and is a great way to get around quickly and independently. Especially if you live close to campus, a bike is often the fastest and most convenient option.Everyday life at Texas A&M was very enjoyable and there was always something to do. The campus is extremely safe, with a strong police presence both on campus and around Northgate, which is the main entertainment district for students. One thing to keep in mind is that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, and the rules are enforced quite strictly. One of the biggest advantages of being a student at Texas A&M is access to the university’s sports facilities. With your student ID, you can use all gyms, sports centers, swimming pools, courts, and many other facilities free of charge. In most cases, you can also borrow the equipment you need, making it very easy to try out different sports and activities without additional costs. In general, there is a huge variety of things to do both on and off campus. Throughout the semester, there are sporting events, club activities, guest lectures, social events, and many other opportunities to get involved. If you ever feel like there is nothing planned, the exchange student organizations usually organize trips and activities. I would definitely recommend participating in these events, as they are a great way to meet people and make friends. One piece of advice I would give future exchange students is to not only sign up for an exchange buddy through the international program but also try to get a Texas A&M student as a buddy. In my experience, I ended up spending much more time with local students, which helped me get a better understanding of campus life and American culture. Overall, everyday life at Texas A&M is very active, social, and easy to enjoy if you are willing to get involved.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at Texas A&M was an unforgettable experience. I met amazing people, experienced Southern hospitality, learned a lot about different cultures, and gained valuable new perspectives in both my studies and everyday life. Looking back, it was a unique opportunity that helped me grow personally and academically.