Details

• United States of America
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I think it's important to do thorough research on each university that peaks your interest and make sure that some foundational things align with your expectations and what you hope to get out of the experience (do you want to be in a college town or city? Do you want to experience greek life? etc.) Specifically for the U.S., make sure to apply for the visa in due time. Also make sure to research what the weather and climate is going to be like where you're abroad and pack accordingly! To get to the U.S., I took a direct flight from Vienna, and also a direct flight on the way back, but neither was directly to North Carolina (I visited family in America before my exchange and travelled around after).

2. Accommodation

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to live in a dorm on-campus to get that part of the American experience and also to be able to meet more people. The application process was very straight forward and I didn't really explore private housing options. One thing I did that helped me pick which dorm I wanted to live in (I ended up picking Carmichael - a Mid Campus dorm), was reach out to a couple of people through instagram and ask them about the different dorms and the different areas of campus. I also asked for other advice later on about things like safety, fun clubs to join etc. It's also a great way to start meeting people!

3. Academic life at host university

Kenan Flagler has great facilities (it actually has a mini gym on the downstairs floor). The teaching style there is much more interactive, cold calling is a huge thing and participation is highly encouraged and facilitated. Classes there are between 50mins to 1hr 15mins so much shorter than any class I've had at WU, but they have them 2-3 times a week usually. I had the most amazing professors, some of which I am still in contact with. I would strongly recommend taking a class with LaChaun Banks, Aymeric Bellon and Markus Saba. There is also an add drop period at the beginning of the semester where you can basically test classes and drop the ones you don't like, and sign up for other ones instead. UNC also has a lot of staff who help with this process.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation is free in the triangle, you just have to sign up with your student ID on Uno. It's also easy to use and get around. I felt very safe at all times on and off campus. Even walking home alone after a night out, I felt safe (but I was staying more aware of my surroundings). There is sooo much to do on and off campus, I can't even list half the things. Try to join a club or society that interests you so that when they host events or social activities, you meet and are surrounded by like-minded people. There are also some mini-trips that you can sign up for (e.g. hiking day, camping trip, surfing trip, etc.) North Carolina has so much to offer besides just the campus life so make sure to explore the state as well! For sports options, there's almost everything (the only thing that I can think of that UNC doesn't have is ice-hockey) and they have most at different levels. I joined an amateur football team(soccer, not American football).

6. Testimonial

I did so many new things that I had dreamed about and looked forward to for so long. I also met some of my best friends and formed connections with people that are so different yet so similar to me. Chapel Hill has a charm and coziness that I miss everyday. It was also pretty cool to see Michael Jordan at the football game, and watch Ludacris perform live on a game day.