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

When preparing for an exchange at UGA, the most important step is to sort out housing early — on-campus options fill up fast, so apply as soon as you get access. For travel, a direct or one-stop flight to Atlanta (ATL) works best, from where Athens is about a 90 minute drive or shuttle ride. Make sure your course selection is done before arrival and double-check with your home university which courses count toward your degree. A US bank account or a fee-free card like DKB or Revolut is essential for day-to-day spending.

2. Accommodation

I lived on campus at ECV (East Campus Village), which I'd highly recommend for exchange students. Almost all internationals are placed there, so you'll meet people from all over the world right from day one. The rooms are spacious by student dorm standards and you'll typically share with another international student, which makes settling in a lot easier. The campus itself is not that walkable, but you can always take the bus to Terry College of Business or share an Uber with your friends. My tip: apply for on campus housing as early as possible since spots for exchange students are limited.

3. Academic life at host university

The academic culture at UGA is quite different from WU Vienna. Classes are more interactive and participation matters, but the workload varies enormously depending on the course. My biggest tip: do your research on Rate My Professors (ratemyprofessors.com) before signing up for anything and pay close attention to the course requirements. Some courses sound interesting but will have you stuck in the library every weekend — not what you want during your exchange semester. That said, if you are interested in breaking into the US tech or finance scene, I highly recommend Principles of FinTech with Professor Trotter. The course is demanding and time intensive, but he is extremely well connected in the industry and gives students real opportunities to engage with practitioners and build relevant experience. Absolutely worth it if you have the ambition. The campus facilities are excellent — modern lecture halls, great libraries and plenty of study spots if you do need them. Compared to WU, the atmosphere feels more like a classic American college experience, which is part of what makes it great.

5. Every day life in the host country

Athens is a charming college town that fully revolves around student life — in the best way possible. Downtown has a great bar scene and plenty of restaurants, and the overall vibe is very laid back and social. The UGA campus itself has impressive sports facilities including tennis courts, basketball, pickleball, baseball and football fields, most of which are free to use as a student. Public transport within Athens is limited, so you will rely on Uber or the university shuttle to get around. Sharing rides with friends keeps costs manageable and honestly becomes part of the social experience. For day trips outside of Athens, you will need to either rent a car or coordinate with others — but it is absolutely worth it. Atlanta is about 90 minutes away and there is plenty to explore in the wider region. Overall Athens is the kind of place that is easy to love. It is small enough to feel like a community but lively enough to never get boring, especially during football season.

6. Testimonial

My semester at UGA was one of the best experiences of my life. The combination of the campus, an incredible international community and the classic American college atmosphere made it something truly unique. Beyond the academics, the friendships, road trips and everyday moments in Athens are what I will remember most. If you get the chance to go, take it without hesitation. Highlights: Basketball games with future NBA players, Beer Pong tournaments every Tuesday (in a Bar called "Saturday's"), Eating out and going Downtown with friends (Spots: Cali' n Titos, Bars: Silver, Boars, 90's)