Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

If you're heading to the US, plan ahead — some approvals take longer than expected. Start with the English proficiency test (TOEFL); I spent about two to three weeks preparing. I'd recommend the online exam, since it's faster than the alternatives. The visa application also takes time, so get that moving early too. Beyond that, my main advice is to stay on top of every step and move quickly — the less you let things sit, the fewer delays you'll run into. For travel, I flew Vienna to Frankfurt, then on to Raleigh/Durham. It worked out smoothly, and booking well in advance kept the cost pretty reasonable.

2. Accommodation

For accommodation, you're choosing between private housing and student residences. If you go private, look for apartments near Franklin Street in the north on rental portals — just know you'll be walking a lot more there, especially at night :). There are some great places available, but they come at a price. Another option is Union: it's further from campus but feels more like a hotel, with amenities like a gym, pool, gaming area, and a shuttle to school — though it's even pricier. If you'd rather live on campus, go with South Campus, and I'd recommend Morrison dorm specifically. You're close to the business school, and the stadiums, gym, and dining hall are all right there. The downside: you share a room with one other student, and a bathroom with seven others — four two-person rooms share one bathroom. Usually those four rooms end up functioning like one shared apartment, since there's a single main entrance door. I had great roommates, though I've also heard of students who got unlucky and shared nothing beyond the bathroom. It really comes down to luck, but if it works out, you'll have the time of your life — in my case, my roommates took me everywhere, and in their car as well, which is pretty much essential in the US. Safety is solid everywhere, even in Morrison, which is by far the biggest dorm. Honestly, I've never seen so much police presence as in Chapel Hill, so don't worry about that.

3. Academic life at host university

Absolutely brilliant experience. The campus facilities are unlike anything I'd seen before, and the people are one of a kind — friendly, ambitious, and completely obsessed with sports, which just comes with being a Tar Heel. Go to the welcome days with the other European exchange students; for me, that group ended up being who I hung out with every single day. Then make full use of the facilities — the soccer field, the gym, the basketball courts — they're on a completely different level from what we're used to. Go out and party too. Americans party earlier and nights don't last as long, and you'll need your ID everywhere you go, but with the right friends it's absolutely worth it — you'll meet so many people that way. The professors are well-known names in their fields, and their teaching style is nothing like what you get at WU. Class projects and homework throughout the semester are noticeably harder and count for more than they do back home, while exams tend to be easier, mostly because you're allowed to bring cheat sheets and other reference material in. Overall: UNC Chapel Hill was a crazy, unforgettable experience.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport? Honestly, you won't need it unless you're living way outside Chapel Hill — and there's not much out there anyway. If you want to travel or need to get to the airport, just grab an Uber or Lyft. Safety-wise, you can relax completely — there's a strong police presence and it genuinely feels like one of the safest places you could study. Now, let's talk sports — because this is where UNC truly gets under your skin. UNC isn't just good at athletics, it's one of the best programs in the entire country. And then there's Duke. UNC vs. Duke isn't just a college rivalry — it's arguably the fiercest rivalry in all of American sports, professional leagues included. You feel it in the air days before the game even happens. UNC basketball is legendary. This is the program that gave the world Michael Jordan, and that legacy is everywhere — in the arena, in the chants, in the way people talk about the team like it's part of who they are. Do yourself a favor and join the ticket raffles — if you win, the games are free, and trust me, you want to be inside that arena at least once. I was lucky enough to be there watching Caleb Wilson — the #4 overall pick in this year's NBA draft — wearing Carolina blue, and I watched us beat Duke on a buzzer-beater. Then running down Franklin Street with thousands of strangers who suddenly felt like family, everyone screaming, hugging, losing their minds together. Honestly, it's the most surreal moment I've ever experienced at a sporting event. Nothing else compares. I can only hope you get to witness UNC's next superstar rise while you're there, and feel that same electricity for yourself. There's really nothing left to say except: Go Heels. And always remember — it's the better blue.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at UNC Chapel Hill wasn't just a semester abroad — it was one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life. Between the incredible campus, unforgettable nights, and people who breathe sports the way we breathe air, I found a second home and friends for life. From packed basketball arenas to running down Franklin Street after beating Duke on a buzzer-beater, I experienced moments I'll carry with me forever. Go Heels — this exchange changed me, and I'll never forget it.