Details

• Canada
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

My advice for future outgoing students is to start preparing early and not to stress too much about the application process. At first, the amount of documents, deadlines, and forms can feel overwhelming, but it becomes manageable once you stay organized and work step by step. When choosing your destination, exchange reports from former students are extremely helpful. In my opinion, the cultural experience and lifestyle of the place are just as important as the university itself, although it is still essential to check that suitable courses are available. For the interview, I recommend carefully preparing the question sheet provided by the university, as it forms a good basis for the discussion. The interview itself depends a lot on the professor, but if you are well prepared, honest, and confident, it is usually not very difficult. Most questions focus on your motivation, your academic background, and your expectations for the exchange. Staying in contact with other applicants can also be very helpful, as you can share information and support each other during the preparation phase. Overall, even though the process may seem stressful at times, everything becomes easier with preparation, and it is well worth the effort.

2. Accommodation

My accommodation experience was overall very positive. I stayed in an Airbnb near the Rideau Centre, which turned out to be a very convenient location. Everything was within a short walking distance: grocery stores were about 2–3 minutes away, the university around 8 minutes, and Rideau Centre itself only about 4 minutes. This made daily life very easy and saved a lot of time. Generally speaking the ByWard Area or on campus accommodations are the place to be. There was also an application process for on-campus housing, but I decided not to apply and do not regret that decision. While the dorms are very close to the university, they are quite small and typically have shared bathrooms. The main advantage is obviously proximity, but in my case, a 5–10 minute walk did not make a big difference. I personally preferred having more privacy and independence. Since I spent a lot of time with other exchange students during the day, it was also nice to have a quiet place to come home to in the evening. Although Airbnb accommodations are usually more expensive than student residences, they often offer more comfort and additional amenities, sometimes even including access to gyms or shared facilities. For these reasons, I found Airbnb to be the better choice for me, although this definitely depends on personal preference. In terms of safety, the downtown area is generally convenient and lively, but there are also quite a few homeless people in the area. However, I never felt unsafe, as it is a busy area with good lighting and frequent foot traffic. Overall, I would recommend considering both student residence and private accommodation carefully, as each option has its own advantages depending on what kind of experience you are looking for.

3. Academic life at host university

The academic life at my host university was quite different from WU Vienna. The campus is large and spread out, with a mix of older and more modern buildings, which creates a different atmosphere compared to the very modern and compact WU campus. uOttawa offers many different campus facilities, students have access to a gym as well as swimming pools generally speaking they offer many sport activities, which are well used and integrated into student life. The overall campus environment feels very lively, especially during the semester. In terms of teaching style, most courses follow a traditional lecture format. Compared to WU Vienna, there is significantly more continuous assessment throughout the semester. Instead of relying mainly on a final exam, courses usually include assignments, quizzes, participation, and midterms. This makes the workload more evenly distributed, but it also requires consistent effort during the semester. From my experience, the courses were generally slightly easier than at WU, especially the exams. However, it is still important to stay organized, as many points are collected through smaller assessments. I highly recommend checking out Studoco which is an similar site to studydrive to get an broad estimate of the course before selecting it. Regarding course selection, I recommend carefully checking prerequisites and course content in advance, as not all subjects may match exactly what you are used to at WU. Planning ahead is essential to ensure that the chosen courses fit your academic requirements.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in the city was very enjoyable and offered a wide range of activities. The downtown area, especially the ByWard Market, is the main social hub. It is full of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops, and there is always something going on. Ottawa has a very diverse food scene, and there are many museums nearby, which makes it easy to combine leisure and cultural activities. The city is relatively compact, and most important places are located around downtown and the ByWard Market area, where the university is also situated. Public transport is available with bus and light rail connections, but in practice I often found it more convenient to walk or use Uber. Ride-hailing services are widely used and were way more affordable compared to Vienna. In terms of safety, Ottawa generally feels safe, especially in the central areas, although, like in any city, it is still important to stay aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. For going out, there are several popular clubs such as The Show, Happy Fish, and Lieutenant’s Pump. For bars, Heart & Crown and MacLaren’s are good spots to go to. Heart & Crown offers a Karaoke night on Wednesdays and transforms to a clubish place on the weekend. While MacLarens offers pool tables and a relaxed atmosphere. There are also many sports events to attend, especially university-level hockey and basketball games against rival teams. These are very popular among students and a great way to experience local culture and campus spirit.

6. Testimonial

Spending a semester in Ottawa was an incredible experience filled with unforgettable memories, from exploring cities like Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto. Meeting so many people throughout the semester made it easy to form lasting friendships with both international and Canadian students. The combination of academic life, travel, and an amazing community made it one of the best decisions I've ever made! I would recommend to anyone without hesitation.