Details

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

1. Preparation

To prepare for my exchange semester at UCF, I mainly relied on exchange reports from previous students as well as the information provided directly by UCF. I highly recommend using both sources. UCF provides several detailed guides, such as the “Preparing for Your Exchange” guide and an Off-Campus Housing Guide. These documents explain the required steps very clearly and helped me navigate the preparation process. In my experience, UCF communicated very well throughout the entire process. I regularly received emails with instructions, reminders, and updates, which made it easy to keep track of deadlines and requirements. One of the most important pieces of advice is to start the visa process as early as possible. Although everything worked out smoothly in my case, I know students who experienced delays and had difficulties receiving their visa in time. The visa application itself takes time and requires careful preparation of several documents, so I would recommend beginning the process several months in advance. Course selection can be somewhat time-consuming and less intuitive than at WU. Students need to review course syllabi, check whether they meet the prerequisites, and verify whether courses can be recognized at WU. Therefore, I recommend planning enough time for course selection and approval. It is also important to pay close attention to insurance requirements. Make sure that your insurance fulfills all criteria specified by UCF. I initially purchased an insurance plan that was not accepted and had to buy a different one afterwards. In my case, the StudentSecure plan fulfilled all requirements. In addition, students should upload all required vaccination documents as early as possible. Delays in submitting vaccination records can postpone course registration and may reduce the number of available courses. I submitted my vaccination documents relatively late, which delayed my course registration and ultimately limited my course options. Regarding travel arrangements, flying is realistically the only feasible option for students travelling from Austria to Orlando. I would strongly recommend booking the outbound and return flight together, as this is often significantly cheaper than purchasing two separate tickets. At the same time, it is worth paying a little extra for a ticket that allows flexible changes to the return date. Many exchange students decide to travel within the United States after the semester ends, and having the option to adjust the return flight can provide valuable flexibility. My most important recommendation for future students is to organize access to a car. Orlando is a very car-dependent city, and having a car significantly improves mobility and the overall exchange experience. If possible, consider sharing a car with roommates or other exchange students.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation near UCF can be one of the more challenging parts of preparing for the exchange semester. Unlike some universities, UCF does not offer dedicated on-campus housing for exchange students. Most accommodation options are privately operated student housing complexes located near campus. While there are many options available, it is often difficult to determine which properties offer short-term leases that fit the duration of an exchange semester. UCF provides an Off-Campus Housing Guide, which is helpful for identifying available housing options. However, it does not always clearly indicate which accommodations offer semester-long or short-term rental contracts. Therefore, I would recommend starting the housing search early and contacting potential housing providers directly. One resource that proved particularly valuable was the subleasing opportunities regularly shared by UCF via email. These emails connect incoming exchange students with current UCF students who are leaving for their own exchange semester and are looking for someone to take over their lease. Through one of these opportunities, I found my accommodation at Station at Alafaya, where I rented a room from a UCF student for the duration of my exchange semester. I can highly recommend this approach. My housing experience was entirely positive, and I would also recommend Station at Alafaya as a place to live. The apartment complex was modern, well-maintained, and offered numerous amenities, including a gym, swimming pool, sauna, volleyball court, golf simulator, and study rooms. I shared the apartment with another exchange student from WU, an exchange student from Ireland, and one American student. Living together worked very well, and I enjoyed the mix of international and local roommates. Before signing the sublease agreement, I made sure that all important details regarding rent, payment methods, lease duration, and responsibilities were clearly discussed. I would strongly recommend doing the same, as payment methods can sometimes be complicated for international students. In my case, I was able to pay my rent conveniently through PayPal. Other exchange students I met lived at The Nine at UCF and The Verge. The Nine was generally well regarded and, to my knowledge, offers flexible lease options that are suitable for exchange students. The Verge also offers short-term contracts, but I heard several complaints regarding cleanliness and maintenance issues from students living there. In terms of location, The Station at Alafaya was very convenient. It was approximately 12 minutes from campus by bicycle, around 20–25 minutes by shuttle bus depending on traffic, and about 8 minutes by car. The area felt very safe throughout my stay, and I never experienced any security concerns. My most important advice for future students is to take the subleasing opportunities sent out by UCF seriously. They can be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to find high-quality accommodation for a single semester.

3. Academic life at host university

The UCF campus is one of the highlights of the exchange experience. It is a very large and well-maintained campus with excellent facilities for both academic and recreational activities. Students have access to a wide range of sports facilities, including a large gym with extensive strength and cardio equipment, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, swimming pools, volleyball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a climbing wall. In addition, there is a recreational pool area that is popular among students throughout the semester. Because the campus is quite large, getting from one building to another can take a considerable amount of time. Therefore, I highly recommend taking advantage of the free bicycle rental program offered through UCF’s Bike N Gold. Students can borrow a bicycle free of charge and only need to attend regular check-ins, making it a convenient way to get around campus. Another valuable resource is the UCF Student Health Services. During my exchange semester, I found the medical services to be easily accessible and professional. For minor health issues, this can be a very useful alternative to visiting a hospital. Academic life at UCF differs from WU Vienna in several ways. Depending on the course, students may attend weekly lectures, biweekly sessions, or larger courses where much of the learning takes place independently through online lectures, assignments, and quizzes. In these courses, in-person sessions are often focused on practical exercises and discussions rather than traditional lectures. The teaching style also varies depending on class size. In larger courses, the interaction with professors can be relatively limited. However, in smaller classes with around 30–40 students, I found the learning environment to be much more personal than at WU. Professors were approachable, knew students by name, and encouraged active participation during class. This created a more interactive learning atmosphere and made it easier to ask questions and engage with the course material. Among the courses I took, I would particularly recommend Integrated Business Foundations. Although the workload was somewhat higher than in some of my other courses, I found the content interesting and relevant. The course was well structured, and Professor Ray Eddy created a positive and engaging learning environment. I would also recommend Legal and Ethical Environment of Business. The workload was relatively low, the course requirements were clearly communicated, and it provided a useful introduction to legal and ethical aspects of business in the United States. For exchange students looking to balance academics with travel and extracurricular activities, this course offers a good combination of interesting content and a reasonable workload.

5. Every day life in the host country

One of the biggest differences compared to Vienna is public transportation. In and around the UCF area, public transport is very limited and cannot be compared to the excellent public transportation system available in Vienna. While UCF provides shuttle buses that connect the campus with nearby student housing complexes, public transportation is generally not a practical option for exploring the wider Orlando area. For this reason, I highly recommend organizing access to a car if possible, ideally by sharing one with other exchange students. A car is not necessary for daily campus life, but it greatly improves the overall exchange experience. During the first part of my semester, I did not have regular access to a car and was therefore much more limited in my mobility. Later, I was able to share access to a car for approximately two months, which gave me much greater flexibility and allowed me to take day trips to places such as Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, the natural springs, and other destinations throughout Florida. Being able to explore the surrounding area independently was one of the highlights of my exchange experience and significantly enriched my time abroad. Regarding safety, I generally felt safe throughout my stay. Compared to Vienna, I would still consider the overall safety situation slightly less favorable, mainly due to a higher visible presence of homelessness and social inequality. However, the UCF area, as well as Oviedo and the surrounding neighborhoods, felt very safe by American standards. I never experienced any safety-related issues during my exchange semester. UCF offers a wide variety of social and leisure activities. Students can participate in numerous university-organized events, many of which are specifically designed for exchange students. During my semester, UCF organized activities and trips such as visits to St. Augustine, Gatorland, and even camping trips. These events were a great opportunity to meet other students, make friends, and explore Florida at little or no cost. There are also many opportunities to stay active. In addition to the excellent sports facilities on campus, students can rent kayaks and enjoy outdoor activities at the university’s lake. UCF provides a wide range of recreational opportunities, making it easy to stay active throughout the semester. For students interested in nightlife, the two most popular student venues are Bounce House and Knight’s Library, both located close to campus. These are popular meeting places for both American and international students during the week and on weekends. Since I attended UCF during the Spring semester, I particularly enjoyed attending UCF basketball games. Students attending during the Fall semester should definitely experience the famous football games and tailgate events, which are an important part of American college culture and are highly recommended by many students. Overall, I would encourage future exchange students to make the most of their time outside the classroom. Exploring Florida, participating in university events, spending time with other students, and taking advantage of the many recreational opportunities available at UCF were some of the most memorable parts of my exchange experience.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at UCF was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. What made it special was not only the opportunity to study in the United States, but also the chance to become more independent, build international friendships, and explore beautiful places. Living in a different country helped me grow personally, improve my confidence, and gain a new perspective on life beyond Austria. If I had the opportunity, I would do it again without hesitation.