Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

After nomination by the WU International Office, start early - especially with the visa. As a US partner, Bentley issues a DS-2019 form for the J-1 visa. With it you pay the SEVIS fee and book your appointment at the US Embassy in Vienna; slots fill up fast. Read Bentley's emails carefully (vaccination requirements, health insurance. Sort out course recognition with WU's Study Service Center before leaving. Travel: Nearest airport is Boston Logan (BOS), about 30-40 min from Waltham by Uber or MBTA. Book flights only once the visa is confirmed.

2. Accommodation

I lived on campus in the dorms - and honestly I wouldn't recommend it. The rooms were unattractive, and for the price you pay you could rent a private apartment or Airbnb in the city for about the same money. The biggest downside is the location: the campus is quite far out, roughly an hour from Boston by public transport, so getting into the city is a hassle. On top of that, the dorms are very expensive for what you get. My tip: if I did it again, I'd skip on-campus housing and look for a private apartment or shared flat closer to Boston. Same cost, far better location, and much more connected to city life.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus has a strong sense of community and there are loads of events, so it's really easy to meet new people. The teaching style is excellent, everything feels much more personal than at WU Vienna. Classes are smaller, professors are approachable, and the whole atmosphere is more interactive and student-focused.

5. Every day life in the host country

The area felt very safe throughout my entire stay - both on campus and in the surrounding towns I never had any concerns walking around, including in the evenings. That made everyday life really relaxed. There's a huge amount going on directly on campus. The university puts on a lot of events, so there's almost always something to join, and it's a great way to meet people and settle in quickly. The sports options are also excellent, plenty of facilities and activities on campus, whether you want to do something competitive or just stay active casually. Public transport is fast and reliable once you're on it, so getting around works well. The one thing to keep in mind is that the campus is quite far from Boston itself (about an hour by public transport, see the accommodation section), so plan a bit of travel time if you want to head into the city for the day or in the evening.

6. Testimonial

My exchange experience in Boston was an amazing time where I got to meet lots of new people. I especially enjoyed traveling together and exploring new places. Overall, I made many unforgettable memories and had a great time.