Details

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

1. Preparation

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted a very helpful online session before the semester started. In this session, they gave useful tips for preparing the exchange, for the first steps at the university, and also for finding accommodation. One mistake I made when planning my travel was booking only a one-way flight, because I did not know yet when exactly I would return. Looking back, I should have booked a return flight that could be changed flexibly, because this would have saved me a lot of money. Another important part of the preparation was taking care of all documents early enough, such as the visa, health insurance, and university forms. I would recommend starting with these administrative tasks as soon as possible, because some steps take longer than expected.

2. Accommodation

I found my apartment through the WU email system, where students who studied abroad in the previous semester often share housing offers. This was very helpful, because I could take over a room from someone who had already lived there and could give me honest information about the apartment and the area. I lived in a private apartment/shared apartment rather than in a student residence, and I would personally recommend this option. In my opinion, it is not really necessary to live in a student residence, because there are many good apartments and shared flats close to campus that are not too expensive. Another advantage is that you usually have your own kitchen, so you do not need to buy a meal plan and can cook for yourself. Regarding location, I would recommend looking for accommodation around Green Street or Washington Park, because both areas are close to campus and very convenient for students. Living directly on or near campus makes everyday life much easier, since you can walk to the university, restaurants, cafés, and many student activities. I would not recommend living too far away from campus, because then you often have to walk longer distances or take the bus. It is much more relaxed to live close enough to walk to classes and other university buildings. In terms of safety, I felt very safe on campus. At the beginning of the semester, the police also came to introduce the different safety options available to students in case something happens. For example, there are emergency phone stations on campus that students can use to directly call for help if needed. However, in my experience, nothing really happened, and the campus felt very safe overall.

3. Academic life at host university

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has very good campus facilities. There is a mix of very modern buildings and older, more traditional university buildings, which creates a really nice atmosphere on campus. Especially the Gies College of Business has a very good reputation and, in my experience, also very good professors. I noticed that the teaching style is quite different compared to WU Vienna. Many professors try to interact more with the students and really make sure that everyone understands the material. The lectures are often more interactive, with discussions, examples, and small tasks during class. This made the courses feel more personal and engaging. However, there were also some differences that felt a bit unusual to me at the beginning. For example, some assignments were much easier than what I was used to from WU. Another small cultural difference was that students do not knock on the table at the end of the lecture like we usually do at WU. Instead, they simply leave the classroom without saying or doing anything, which felt a bit strange at first. Overall, I had the impression that the academic level was easier than at WU Vienna. WU felt more demanding, and some topics at the University of Illinois were rather basic for me, because we had already covered similar content in the first semester at WU. Nevertheless, there are two courses I can definitely recommend: BADM 320 and ADV 150. Both are marketing-related courses and are designed in a very interesting way. I especially enjoyed BADM 320, because the professor was very motivated and engaged. He used many practical examples and really tried to explain the content in a way that students could understand and apply.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was very convenient, especially when living close to campus. If you live on or near campus, you usually do not really need to take the bus, because most important places are within walking distance. However, public transport is still very good, since the buses go almost everywhere and are easy to use. Green Street is one of the main areas for students. Many restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops are located there, and it is very close to campus. This made daily life very easy, because you could quickly walk there after class or meet friends in the evening. I also felt very safe on campus. The campus area felt protected, and I never really worried about safety in my everyday life. There were always many students around, especially close to Green Street and the main university buildings. There are also many social and leisure activities offered by the university. Students are often invited to events, and there are many opportunities to attend basketball or football games, which are a big part of American university life. These events are a great way to experience the campus culture and meet other students. In terms of sports, the university offers many options. There are different sports clubs and a very large fitness center where students can do many activities, such as going to the gym, swimming, climbing, or joining fitness classes. Overall, there are many opportunities to stay active and take part in student life outside of classes.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was a very special experience because I met many new people from different countries and got to experience a new culture. I especially enjoyed the typical American college experience, including football and basketball games, campus events, and student life around Green Street. Another highlight was that the exchange was a great opportunity to travel, either during Spring Break, on weekends, or after the semester. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that gave me many great memories and friends.